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Fear of Hat Loss in Las Vegas
A true-life travel tale of fate, coincidence, drugs and debauchery from 2007's if.comedy (Perrier) award winner.In early October 2004, Brendon Burns - a delusional, god-fearing, drug addict, manic depressive and award-winning comedian - has a vision of happiness. He imagines himself sitting with two friends in a convertible in the middle of a desert, and for once he feels totally in control of his life. With the (slightly inebriated) voices in his head assuring him that he can recreate this perfect moment, he clearly has no choice but to gather the troops and head out to the US of A in pursuit his dream...Fear of Hat Loss in Las Vegas is the true story of four men - Brendon and his friends Barry Castagnola (the everyman), Paul Provenza (an Italian New Yorker, devout atheist, actor and movie director), and Keith (Barry's dad and best friend) - and their search for happiness and redemption in the heart of the Nevada desert. Demented, depraved, dangerously addictive and yet with a deep heart, soul and spirit, it is a tale of debauchery, mushrooms, fate, hookers, coincidence, stand-up comedy, aliens, Vegas and, ultimately, friendship. Rude, insane, in your face (and off their faces), it is the story of the perfect road trip.What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas - unless of course it's really funny. Then Brendon will write a f**king book about it...
- GenresComedy
356 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 7 reviews
July 27, 2011
Most of the way through it's just an account of some people getting wasted, meeting women and exchanging matey banter as they strive to take the perfect photo in the desert near Vegas. Brendon Burns is accompanied by a couple of friends - and his mate's dad - on the adventure and it reads like an extended humourous anecdote. However, the end of the book shows self-awareness and Burns' reflection of his own role in the whole adventure somehow gives the whole thing more depth.
There's a few really funny scenes in the book but it kind of helps if you are familiar with Burns' stand-up because a lot of it is funnier if you can read it in his 'voice'. I guess that's a trite observation though because why else would you buy the book if you hadn't seen Burns live?
Finally, I'll finish with an anecdote of my own. The first time I saw Brendon Burns was sometime around 2003 or something and he was one of four comedians on the bill at the Glee Club in Birmingham. I wanted his CD (priced at a tenner) but only had about £9.20 in my pocket. I rather drunkenly approached him and offered the money for his CD. Not only did he sell me the CD for the reduced price - and signed it - but as I was about to walk away he gave me £2.80 back - so I could buy myself a pint. Top bloke.
There's a few really funny scenes in the book but it kind of helps if you are familiar with Burns' stand-up because a lot of it is funnier if you can read it in his 'voice'. I guess that's a trite observation though because why else would you buy the book if you hadn't seen Burns live?
Finally, I'll finish with an anecdote of my own. The first time I saw Brendon Burns was sometime around 2003 or something and he was one of four comedians on the bill at the Glee Club in Birmingham. I wanted his CD (priced at a tenner) but only had about £9.20 in my pocket. I rather drunkenly approached him and offered the money for his CD. Not only did he sell me the CD for the reduced price - and signed it - but as I was about to walk away he gave me £2.80 back - so I could buy myself a pint. Top bloke.
February 5, 2017
Not many reviews on this, ( or indeed ratings ) maybe fans of this particular comedian are not readers?
I am, however, a big fan of Brendon Burns. I can't really imagine anyone who is not familiar picking up this book. For those who are, it's a must read!
I read this in a few days and I loved it. All the way through I could hear his accent speaking the words ( Australian ) and that really lent something special to it. I found myself laughing far too hard at this late in to the night because I couldn't stop reading.
In short - Burnsy and a few friends hire a convertible and travel the desert to Vegas on a very special road trip. Throw in a few comedy gigs, a lot of taking the piss out of each other, alcohol, weed, magic mushrooms, and the pursuit of the perfect photograph as seen on the cover.
This is all about friendship, banter, comedy, revelations, and substance use/abuse. There might have been some aliens... probably just those hallucinogenics wasn't it?
Brilliant... sublime, even...
I am, however, a big fan of Brendon Burns. I can't really imagine anyone who is not familiar picking up this book. For those who are, it's a must read!
I read this in a few days and I loved it. All the way through I could hear his accent speaking the words ( Australian ) and that really lent something special to it. I found myself laughing far too hard at this late in to the night because I couldn't stop reading.
In short - Burnsy and a few friends hire a convertible and travel the desert to Vegas on a very special road trip. Throw in a few comedy gigs, a lot of taking the piss out of each other, alcohol, weed, magic mushrooms, and the pursuit of the perfect photograph as seen on the cover.
This is all about friendship, banter, comedy, revelations, and substance use/abuse. There might have been some aliens... probably just those hallucinogenics wasn't it?
Brilliant... sublime, even...
January 19, 2014
In short, best book I've read this year (ok its only number 2 of the year).
That was just what i needed after the dreadfully boring book i just suffered through, took just a few days to rip through this joyous journey of a story. If you are looking for a profound erudite journey through Vegas then this isn't the travel book for you, this is a few guys getting slaughtered on a cocktail of drink, drugs, hookers, and just enjoying themselves, and the lengths Burnsy will go to to get his picture!
If you haven't seen any of Brendon's standup then probably not a good idea to read this book, i think it helps to know his sense of humour first. Also when yuo read a book you usually create the voices in your head as you read, but this is unmistakably Burnsy he is loud even in your head! Extra hilarity as for much of the trip he has lost his voice and so had to resort to writing in a pad, man if that could be published alongside this it would be even more hilarious.
That was just what i needed after the dreadfully boring book i just suffered through, took just a few days to rip through this joyous journey of a story. If you are looking for a profound erudite journey through Vegas then this isn't the travel book for you, this is a few guys getting slaughtered on a cocktail of drink, drugs, hookers, and just enjoying themselves, and the lengths Burnsy will go to to get his picture!
If you haven't seen any of Brendon's standup then probably not a good idea to read this book, i think it helps to know his sense of humour first. Also when yuo read a book you usually create the voices in your head as you read, but this is unmistakably Burnsy he is loud even in your head! Extra hilarity as for much of the trip he has lost his voice and so had to resort to writing in a pad, man if that could be published alongside this it would be even more hilarious.
March 12, 2012
Brought this when I saw the author live in Wolverhampton. Cracking read, if you buy it you won't be disappointed.
May 17, 2013
That's not funny, why would you even say that.
May 29, 2013
Not to keen really not what I would class as a travel story! Just some guys going out and getting drunk or on drugs. Wanted to read a travel story about Las Vegas definatly chose the wrong book!!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 7 reviews