LaVonne W. (Grnemae) -
Helpful Score: 3
Loved this book. I could hear Bill's voice telling the stories. Outrageous childhood exploits, frequent ER visits, the event(s) that drove his desire to be a comedian, they are all detailed. Many of his stories are laugh out loud funny. Engvall tells it all from his childhood, his "wasted" college education - not really totally wasted as he met the love of his life during that period of time - to his guilt at being a parent who is gone from home a great deal.
Bill tells of events in his life that had tremendous impacts on him - like his parents' divorce and his dad's remarriage and the miscarriage that almost took his wife's life. You will be reaching for the tissues at times and other times rolling in laughter.
I do not normally like or read memoirs but I made an exception for this one and I am glad that I did.
Bill tells of events in his life that had tremendous impacts on him - like his parents' divorce and his dad's remarriage and the miscarriage that almost took his wife's life. You will be reaching for the tissues at times and other times rolling in laughter.
I do not normally like or read memoirs but I made an exception for this one and I am glad that I did.
Helpful Score: 2
He is truly just a guy.
Blue Collar comedian Bill Engvall, universally known for his relatable anecdotes and quirky tales, decided to put his story thus far into words. As the back flap of the cover says, "Just a Guy will make you laugh out loud and tug at your heart." And it doesn't fail to do so.
Those familiar with his routines, particularly his adventures with the famous Blue Collar Comedy tours, will immediately recognize some of the events from which his material has formed (his adventures in 'cool' are particular favorites). Other outrageous events (the unfortunate, but tear-jerkingly funny loss of Petey the parakeet, for one) will have you wonder why he hasn't touched on the event in his act before. Though I do dearly wish he would've spoken of the plane he was on that hit the deer that one time...
Other events, like his parents' separation and the miscarriage that almost took his wife's life, will have you reaching for the tissues. Engvall adds description to the events that enhance their impact on the reader, whether it be a truly rolling-on-the-floor-laughing-your-tuckus-off story or an emotionally-charged account drenched in sorrow.
The short chapters help in transitioning from one stage of Engvall's life to the other, while the 238-page length allows for a quick and enjoyable read, keeping each part fresh in one's memory. And though a memoir doesn't usually fall under my reading preference, this turned out to be an eye-opening look in the life of one of my favorite funnymen.
- T.C. Robson
myspace.com/tcrobson
Blue Collar comedian Bill Engvall, universally known for his relatable anecdotes and quirky tales, decided to put his story thus far into words. As the back flap of the cover says, "Just a Guy will make you laugh out loud and tug at your heart." And it doesn't fail to do so.
Those familiar with his routines, particularly his adventures with the famous Blue Collar Comedy tours, will immediately recognize some of the events from which his material has formed (his adventures in 'cool' are particular favorites). Other outrageous events (the unfortunate, but tear-jerkingly funny loss of Petey the parakeet, for one) will have you wonder why he hasn't touched on the event in his act before. Though I do dearly wish he would've spoken of the plane he was on that hit the deer that one time...
Other events, like his parents' separation and the miscarriage that almost took his wife's life, will have you reaching for the tissues. Engvall adds description to the events that enhance their impact on the reader, whether it be a truly rolling-on-the-floor-laughing-your-tuckus-off story or an emotionally-charged account drenched in sorrow.
The short chapters help in transitioning from one stage of Engvall's life to the other, while the 238-page length allows for a quick and enjoyable read, keeping each part fresh in one's memory. And though a memoir doesn't usually fall under my reading preference, this turned out to be an eye-opening look in the life of one of my favorite funnymen.
- T.C. Robson
myspace.com/tcrobson
Helpful Score: 1
This was a quick read, and I'm sorry I left it to languish on Mt. TBR for almost a decade!! Anyone who is familiar with Bill Engvall (Here's your sign; Dorkfish) will hear his voice, his laughter, his ..... personality ... in every reminiscence. Bill Engvall is "just a guy" ... and anyone who is a guy - or who knows a guy - will recognize his total guy-ness in the stories he tells. I laughed. I cried. I laughed until I cried. This book is chock full of the witty charm that has made Engvall so popular for so long. Don't miss it!
