The Most Talked About Memoir of 2017: I'm Still Laughing
Caution: "I Can't Make This Up: Life Lessons" by Kevin Hart with Neil Strauss is a dangerous read. Haters (those who have not read this book) will assume you've gone bonkers as you erupt into fits of laughter. Hart delivers one of his greatest comedy acts in 378-plus pages of humor, advice, celebration, and regret.
Hart is the opposite of "the emperor with no clothes." He admits his shortcomings. He laughs at himself. Hart is honest, humble, and hilarious as he pours out his soul on paper. This memoir is more than a biography; it is a must-have laughter therapy manual.
It’s hard to believe that Hart wasn’t always the cocky, comic force he poses today. This larger-than-life comedian is insecure, unstable, star struck, and not so funny. He has image issues, girl troubles, poor people problems, and run-ins with the police courtesy of his then-girlfriend Torrei.
A strict upbringing prepares him for success as Hart navigates the “cut throat” entertainment industry and brutal Hollywood bidding wars. He describes the routine: Calls. Auditions. Testing. Pilots. No. Thank You. Despite numerous rejections, readers will marvel at Hart’s ability to charm his way out of bad situations and into better ones.
A mother’s unconditional love and unwavering support propels Hart into the world of standup comedy. Yes, he is funny, but his mother makes him responsible and respectable. Shenanigans, courtesy of a drug-addicted father, provide laugh-out-loud material for his standup routine and ultimately, his memoir.
Where my mom was all about structure, my dad had no sense of order at all. With his apartment's yellowing walls, stench of body odor, stale cigarette smoke, and animal droppings, it felt like I'd entered the armpit of the world.
A girlfriend’s conditional love and devotion amid chaos is also the butt of his jokes. He realizes, with the help of a mentor, that drama can be funny. And Hart’s depiction of life is hilarious. When Hart is just being “Kevin” he is finally making people laugh and making ends meet. Hart proves that life is a series of exams: your family will always embarrass you at the wrong time, rich or poor, young man always needs his parents, and you can be rich and still have bad credit.
Anticipate the sharp wit of a comedian who knows how to tell a story (with a little help). And for those of you all up in Kevin’s personal business, he addresses his on and off, and on and off again relationship with Torrei. Look forward to a memoir that’s entertaining, revealing, well written, and downright inspirational!
What makes “I Can’t Make This Up: Life Lessons” one of the most talked about books of 2017? Generation Xers, Millennials, and even Baby Boomers will devour this book in one sitting and two weeks later they’ll still be laughing.
