Bossypants by Tina Fey, narrated by Tina Fey
Published in audio by Hachette Audio, published in print by Reagan Arthur Books, both imprints of Hachette
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Synopsis:
Tina Fey is a smart, funny woman, a working mother. Before she was famous for her work on SNL - particularly playing Sarah Palin - she was a member of Second City and, before that, a young girl who had a lot of gay friends in summer theater.
In Bossypants, Fey touches on motherhood, feminism, working at SNL and 30 Rock, and her life growing up.
Thoughts on the story:
If you are expecting a deep treatise on feminism or working motherhood, you might be disappointed by Bossypants. Except I highly doubt you can stay disappointed for very long. Fey might not spend an inordinate amount of time or depth on any one topic, but every section of the book is rife with her trademark wit, and she hits every note beautifully, nary a joke falls flat.
Thoughts on the audio production:
Tina Fey is hilarious narrating her own life. For someone with the comic timing and delivery that she has, narrating your own memoir is an absolute must. Honestly, I simply can’t imagine any other narrator doing justice to Fey’s unique voice. The audio did mean missing the immediacy of seeing the pictures of Fey growing up, but Hachette included a pdf of all of the pictures along with the audiobook and Tina Fey references them so the listener knows when to when to check them out, or at least remembers the context when it is convenient to open the document. And huge plus for the audiobook? The fact that they were able to get the license to include the audio of the SNL skit where Tina Fey first played Sarah Palin. That alone makes it worth listening to.
Overall
Fey’s writing is sharp and smart enough that I imagine Bossypants must work quite well in print, but for the added emotion and humor of Tina narrating her own work, I must strongly recommend experiencing Bossypants in audio.
Buy this book from:
Powells: Audio/Print*
Indiebound: Audio/Print*
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I’m on the waiting list for this one! I can’t wait to listen to it.
I really enjoyed this book too! I loved that she stressed that women don’t have to compete with each other.
This is one of the few audio books that I purchased, rather than checked out from the library, because the price is very close to the price of the book. I can’t wait to listen to this one!
I thought this book was terrific. My only regret was that I didn’t listen to it!
I really must get this audiobook, I keep seeing such great reviews of it!
I bought Bossypants for my drive into NYC for BEA - and never was sitting in traffic more entertaining!!
If I wasn’t as excited about my destination as I was, I may not have gotten out of the car!
I’m not finished yet, nor have I looked at the extras disc.
Oops, sorry… I meant to put the title of the reviewed book in my link. The audiobook review I posted today is of Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott. It was difficult to listen to because of the topic, but I think it’s an important issue. http://bookandlatte.blogspot.com/2011/06/living-dead-girl-by-elizabeth-scott.html
Bossypants is on my TBR list! It sounds awesome. Thanks for the review :).
I bet the audiobook would be even better than reading this book in print!
This my review today, too!
I just got this from the library in print but really wanted it on audio - oh well, beggars can’t be choosers!
I’ve requested this from the library in audio, because I guess it would be worth it. Glad to hear it’s true!
My library just added this to Overdrive, so I will definitely be listening to it!
Is it BOSSYPANTS Day, and no one told me?!
Yes, a fantastic audio, for all the reasons you list. I haven’t read the print edition (to compare), but I would also recommend the audio, for Fey’s authentic voice, timing, and delivery.
Clearly someone told you, since you posted your review!
Hi! Megan from Hachette Audio again. I swear I’m not going to comment on every Bossypants post I see this month, but I just loved this title so much. Tina’s delivery is hilarious, I loved hearing her real-life stories (and reflecting on how much of her is in 30 Rock, a show I adore). I also heard recently that my dad stole the copy of the hardcover I sent to my mom. Thankfully, they had a roadtrip planned, and listened to the audiobook together, so fights were averted and laughs were had!
Great review, thanks!
Megan
I read a hard copy version of this one and loved it, but I think it would have been even better to hear Fey read it.
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