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George Carlin Letters: The Permanent Courtship of Sally Wade, The
A unique illustrated memoir by Sally Wade, the love of George Carlin’s life for ten years, THE GEORGE CARLIN LETTERS: THE PERMANENT COURTSHIP OF SALLY WADE is a collection of never-before-seen writings and artwork by the late great comedian (representing at least 1/3 of the text in the book), woven into Wade’s beautifully told chronicle of the last ten years of their life together. The book provides a rare glimpse into the man behind the legend. George Carlin wrote to Sally daily—notes, postcard, letters…he even started fights on paper; the title is taken from his very last note, which Sally found propped up on her computer upon returning from the hospital the day he died. One of the greatest love stories ever told…hilariously, until the release of this book, no one but Sally has ever seen this side of George Carlin. And everyone is guaranteed to fall in love with both of them.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 8, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
November 8, 2012
This is essentially a personal scrapbook made public. It is not a traditional biography or a behind the scene's look at the personal life behind the public man. Through primarily post-it notes, doodles and postcards, the very close, passionate relationship of George Carlin and Sally Wade is documented. At times it feels a bit voyeuristic. It's full of inside jokes and stories that she attempts to share but they are part of a different "world" created by these two about their relationship and therefore, the reader can be amused or intrigued, or jealous, but also after not too long, bored. If you were a huge fan then you might like seeing a somewhat curmudgeonly, crusty entertainer being a cream-puff in his romantic life.
June 3, 2012
Enjoyed this and loved that the dog got involved in the book as well. Made me want to leave notes for my husband... and I did.
November 15, 2011
This is the most amazing real life love story from a very unlikely source. As a lover of George Carlin's acerbic, witty, comedic comments on society and politics, it was a pleasure to discover the poet and romantic lurking within.
I also enjoyed its format: a scrapbook collage of notes, letters, postcards, drawings and photos exchanged between Carlin and his partner Sally Wade during their 10-year relationship prior to his death. I don't think the impact of the book's contents would have been as memorable had it been presented solely in writing.
I recommend reading this charming love story to anyone, whether or not you are a fan of Carlin's stand-up. Especially to men. Gentlemen, THIS is how you keep romance alive in a relationship!
I also enjoyed its format: a scrapbook collage of notes, letters, postcards, drawings and photos exchanged between Carlin and his partner Sally Wade during their 10-year relationship prior to his death. I don't think the impact of the book's contents would have been as memorable had it been presented solely in writing.
I recommend reading this charming love story to anyone, whether or not you are a fan of Carlin's stand-up. Especially to men. Gentlemen, THIS is how you keep romance alive in a relationship!
August 2, 2011
What a sweet story. Who knew what a darling man George Carlin was? Not I. Familiar only with a very small amount of his standup - and most of that pretty rough, I was pleasantly surprised to discover what a thoughtful and loving man he was.
The book is composed of handwritten notes to his wife over their 10 yr marriage - the notes contain the minutiae of everyday life only elevated. His kind and supportive role extends beyond the grave in that he left notes for her to discover after he was gone -- that moved me to tear up once or twice.
There is also his relationship with her dog, who introduced them in the first place.
A quick and heartwarming read.
Certainly one for if you are feeling jaded by the human race! ;-p
The book is composed of handwritten notes to his wife over their 10 yr marriage - the notes contain the minutiae of everyday life only elevated. His kind and supportive role extends beyond the grave in that he left notes for her to discover after he was gone -- that moved me to tear up once or twice.
There is also his relationship with her dog, who introduced them in the first place.
A quick and heartwarming read.
Certainly one for if you are feeling jaded by the human race! ;-p
April 23, 2025
I LOVE this book! What a treasure to have someone love you so completely, and to express that love in notes, poems and pictures. It's hard not to feel jealous, but I'm glad Sally Wade shared their beautiful love story with the world. She and George Carlin were definitely a match made in Jupiter.
June 3, 2025
These cheesy bastards really spoke to something in my Venus in Cancer….
And when I say cheesy I mean CORNY CHEESY!!!
Despite or because of that, reading these letters with my morning coffee was deliciously delightful. Great insight, true love, inspiration for the love letters my future funny guy will write me 💕
And when I say cheesy I mean CORNY CHEESY!!!
Despite or because of that, reading these letters with my morning coffee was deliciously delightful. Great insight, true love, inspiration for the love letters my future funny guy will write me 💕
May 13, 2011
Sally Wade has shared her life, love and heartache in this volume of notes, cards, letter, drawings and conversations with a man that the world views as a ground breaking, comedic genius; George Carlin.
Their love story had me smiling, crying and wishing my life could be just a small percentage of what they shared. Often funny & sweet, it is clear that the love shared between these two people was without boundaries.
Thank you, Sally Wade for sharing your ‘permanent courtship’ with us.
Their love story had me smiling, crying and wishing my life could be just a small percentage of what they shared. Often funny & sweet, it is clear that the love shared between these two people was without boundaries.
Thank you, Sally Wade for sharing your ‘permanent courtship’ with us.
October 10, 2011
Pretty good...if you're a big fan of George Carlin (which I am). It shows a completely different side of him -- romantic, silly, weird in a way we've never seen before. It's deeply personal and the puppy-dog love gets very sappy (and a bit tedious) after a while. Read it in short bursts and try writing similar notes to your lover.
March 25, 2011
What a sweet, touching, antic book about a love story about two people w/ insanely wonderful senses of humor! If you love George Carlin....if you love romance.....it you love a memoir....this is the book for you. Wonderful!
March 4, 2011
Who knew he was so sweet. Enviable love. Sad that he's no longer in this life. Thank goodness he's still communicating with Sally from wherever he is. Jupiter? Kudos to Spot.
August 7, 2012
A terrific tribute to one of the best comedians of all time. Not your typical read but definite and up close and personal look at two people and the love they share(d).
July 7, 2017
Worth reading for the Carlin completist, but it did make me feel like a bit of a voyeur. However, I'm not sure it is up for readers to judge Sally Wade for her decision to write/put together this book, because she got full support from Kelly Carlin and his agent and I'm sure Ms. Wade knew George well enough to be able to determine how he would have felt about a project like this.
The book consists mostly of notes written by George of various sorts--love notes, doodles, humorous anecdotes and made-up stories. These are given some narrative framework by Sally Wade's writings about their life together. At times it can be a bit fantastical with Wade's spiritual beliefs and her and George's personal "mythology" taking over instead of just a straight nonfiction account, which I might have preferred.
The George Carlin Letters is definitely more of a curiosity than a definitive look at George's late personal life. It is amusing at times. Sometimes it was very difficult to read his handwriting in the notes, so I wish more had been transcribed in text. One thing which is clear is that George and Sally loved each other very, very much. That is the book's greatest asset.
The book consists mostly of notes written by George of various sorts--love notes, doodles, humorous anecdotes and made-up stories. These are given some narrative framework by Sally Wade's writings about their life together. At times it can be a bit fantastical with Wade's spiritual beliefs and her and George's personal "mythology" taking over instead of just a straight nonfiction account, which I might have preferred.
The George Carlin Letters is definitely more of a curiosity than a definitive look at George's late personal life. It is amusing at times. Sometimes it was very difficult to read his handwriting in the notes, so I wish more had been transcribed in text. One thing which is clear is that George and Sally loved each other very, very much. That is the book's greatest asset.
October 29, 2018
3.75 Stars. Thank you Sally Wade for showing us the personal life of a comic genius.
Geo (as Sally calls him) was a first class, unrepentant BS pointing, anti-establishment crank on stage, but he was, as this book shows, he was also an unrepentant romantic.
Some of us men could take lessons on the ways he crushes on Ms. Wade.
The only criticism of the book is that some of the notes & letters Geo & Sal wrote too each other that are in this, are in such sloppy chicken scrawl hand writing that a translation should have been included. There are some, but only for about 1 in 10 such letters.
For true Carlin fans, this is a highly recommended book.
Geo (as Sally calls him) was a first class, unrepentant BS pointing, anti-establishment crank on stage, but he was, as this book shows, he was also an unrepentant romantic.
Some of us men could take lessons on the ways he crushes on Ms. Wade.
The only criticism of the book is that some of the notes & letters Geo & Sal wrote too each other that are in this, are in such sloppy chicken scrawl hand writing that a translation should have been included. There are some, but only for about 1 in 10 such letters.
For true Carlin fans, this is a highly recommended book.
February 7, 2017
Interesting concept for a book. It must have taken a lot of courage to share something as personal as this - but I'm happy she did it. This is not for George Carlin's fans only, it can be pretty universal. It is also a nice reminder of what a pen and a piece of paper can do and how much it can mean to a person once their loved one is gone. Very touching. Loved it.
October 23, 2017
Not terrible. More for Sally Wade than for a general audience, but does show another side of George Carlin not seen on TV/HBO.
November 19, 2018
An intriguing romantic view of probably the most known comedian to grace our planet.
February 10, 2023
❤️❤️❤️❤️
January 29, 2012
This book was just amazing. I've always loved George Carlin and to see this side of him was fantastic. It's heartbreaking to see the love they had for each other and now he's gone. The day they meet again in Jupiter will be a joyous one indeed, I wish I could see it! Now I'm even more mad at myself for not going to see him live prior to his death. I'd see he come here every Aprl for about 5 or 6 years and never got tickets. The year I decided to splurge on myself and get myself tickets for my birthday (which is in May, a week after George's, (go Taurus!!), he died before the performance. I was so sad. He was a great man and a great comic> For a tear-jeri biography that will have you saying "Awwwww" a lot, you need to read this hook.
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March 28, 2013
Maybe I'm not enlightened enough or whatever to enjoy this book. There's not a real coherent flow, it's all over the place. It's obviously not written with the audience in mind, it's a published scrapbook for Sally Wade. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally OK with that. It just wasn't what I was expecting, is all. You do "get" that George Carlin was a true romantic at heart, and that he loved her very dearly. But it also feels TOO personal, like you're not supposed to be reading all of their inside jokes and things.
April 12, 2011
Much like George Carlin himself, this collection of notes that the late comedian left for his wife is at times raunchy, profane...and yet unexpectedly sweet and romantic. The book is in a scrapbook format, with the post cards,letters, post it notes, emails and drawings that George Carlin wrote for Sally Wade during their ten years together. This book is highly recommended for Carlin fans...and if you aren't a Carlin fan, you should be!
February 28, 2013
I have a copy of this fabulous book and have gifted 2 additional copies to folks who also love it. This is not only a delightful romp through the eyes of love with a brilliant satirist but it is a hopeful triumph to the wonderful playful and intelligent joy love ought to be. Brava to Sally and George for having the courage and will to open your hearts so very much to share this hilarious fun journey.
March 14, 2011
This is a collection of communications between George Carlin and his partner of 10 years, Sally Wade. The format is similar to a scrapbook~each page contains copies of notes written on Post-it's, scraps of hotel stationary, postcards, etc. George was so brilliant with words-his love and devotion to Sally shine through with humor and compassion. A quick, lovely read.
October 27, 2011
this was good. i skipped the parts where she talked about the dog, which got a bit tedious for me.
i liked how they communicated in letters, and really worked things out. sometimes, when you fight, the only thing to really make things all clear is to write your side of it . . . i see a loving marriage here, between two writers who really tried hard to understand each other.
i liked how they communicated in letters, and really worked things out. sometimes, when you fight, the only thing to really make things all clear is to write your side of it . . . i see a loving marriage here, between two writers who really tried hard to understand each other.
Read
August 4, 2011This book is kind of sweet and cute. It's not really a book to "read" per se. I'm not giving it any stars for that reason. It's not horrible. In fact, it's a neat little glimpse into the love life of some funny people. I diligently read every note, caption, etc for the first few chapters but I'll probably just flip through the rest.
August 1, 2011
This is not the type of thing that I would usually pick up. I wasn't a huge fan of George Carlin, but the title caught my eye. When I flipped it open and read one of his many love notes to the woman he loved for 10 years after his wife of 31 years passed way, I had to check it out. I really liked seeing this different side of the famous comedian.
April 7, 2011
This book was adorable. The romance of George Carlin and Sally Wade is laid bare through a collection of love notes, to do lists, and sketches. It's hilarious. It's heartwarming. It's hopeful. It's definitely worth a read.
May 26, 2011
Oh my God...... this book was so beautifully touching !!!! I pretty much bawled throughout the entirety!
I cannot recommend it highly enough. George was sooooooooo brilliant, and the love they shared was so rare.
I cannot recommend it highly enough. George was sooooooooo brilliant, and the love they shared was so rare.
November 25, 2013
Cute book...never realized what a hopeless romantic Carlin was. This is more of a good coffee-table read rather than a book you get stuck into (you could get through it in an afternoon if you wanted), but it is sweet read, showing a softer if still goofy side of the sadly missed Mr Carlin.
September 3, 2012
This was a different type of book than anything I have ever read. I enjoyed it; I give Sally a lot of credit for sharing her personal relationship in such detail. What a wonderful relationship; they were lucky to have found each other!!!!
May 14, 2011
Sweet and spicey at the same time. The production is wonderful: hand written notes and explanations of stories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews