Life Of The Party: Stories Of A Perpetual Man-Child (2014) - Plot & Excerpts
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. FTC guidelines: check!When writing a book this outrageous, the author walks a thin, but very real, line between the vulgar and hysterical. Kreischer did an excellent job of finding the perfect balance. In a no-holds-barred style and with plenty of profanity, he puts you directly into his alcohol and drug-fueled existence. It is one wild ride.I shamefacedly laughed quite a bit throughout even though I thought some of the antics (mainly the ones perpetrated by his friends) were more psychotic than funny. Somehow, even though he's directly involved, Kreischer seems to have this air of innocence about him- as if he walks, talks, and lives among these depraved, high, and ridiculous people but isn't a part of it. Occasionally, I had a feeling like he was peering out of the pages of the book at me with a look like "Can you believe these people?!". And, sometimes, I really couldn't.That's not to say that he's totally angelic or doesn't have his own low moments. Chapter 10 (CP) where he talks about dating a girl with cerebral palsy was especially cringe-worthy. I'm hoping that some of these women that he tells stories about don't know that he's written book or that he at least warned them that they were going to be in it. Otherwise, some pretty personal and raw stuff is now out there floating around for everybody to read. On the other hand, he's a comedian and they use their lives in their bits all the time. I suppose they knew what they were getting into with him.Just when Kreischer's life can't get any more outrageous, he closes the book with a story about his daughter and his evolving role in life as a responsible husband and father. It was the perfect way to end a remarkable debauch and, actually, a pretty strong bridge if he wants to pen another book about being a father and keeping his sense of humor through the ups and downs. I enjoyed this a lot. Fans of Chelsea Handler, Patton Oswalt, and Adam Corolla may really like his wild story telling style and unique, borderline vulgar, sense of humor. Let me warn you about this book—Don’t let your children, especially if they are currently college students, read this. Ever! That is, unless you have aspirations of your offspring appearing on Comedy Central someday, or you really want to spend as much hard earned money as you can for their never ending college education and antics thereof. Kreischer definitely was the “Life of the Party” as the front cover of his book proudly proclaims. Yes, he definitely has many stories about life as a perpetual man-child to tell and they will probably keep you wanting to read more after you start. Even if some parts repel you from wanting to turn to the next page. (There is the story of how he finally got elected to a responsible position in his fraternity publicly take a dump on a pizza box, naked.) Living life large, he was truly lucky to get a break when his school was named the top college party school and he was called by Rolling Stone magazine for an interview about it’s status. Naturally, he answered the said phone called stoned to the gills. Kreischer says he loved attention. When he talks about his childhood the material seems to glow upon mentioning the rush he received from the reaction of those watching Some of the stories just don’t seem believable such as when he partied with the spies of the Soviet Union or when he wrestled a bear for the show Hurt Bert, but there you are, some people just seem to lead a bigger-than-life life. Yeah, he was wild, and fun. Just as we all want to be. Popular for being the odd, crazy one who didn’t finish college, but got rich doing what he loved to do, just as many people hope to do, but don’t have the guts or the connections. I mean, what if Rolling Stone had called his roommate, not him? Whose book would we be reading now? Think about it. Life of the Party is about a guy who couldn’t say no, how he was and still somewhat is, a great American wild guy, and always strove to be that fun guy at the party. But there is always a time when a real-life Peter Pan grows up and the same thing happened to Bert. The end of the book talks about being married with children and how he is now “a dad, first and foremost.” Which made all the other chapters a bit more acceptable to read. So, if you do let your college aged kid read this book, have them start on the last page, ok? You will be better off, trust me.
What do You think about Life Of The Party: Stories Of A Perpetual Man-Child (2014)?
The MACHINE! Bert's stories are hilarious! One of the most honest and best comedy books I have read.
—Carmen
I'm not sure what happened here, but I'm glad it's over. Also how did this guy survive to adulthood?
—sid
Very funny. Kind of like Hunter S. Thompson light.
—ktague
