Sarah Silverman
Faber&Faber
Otago Daily Times , January 22nd 2011
Sarah Silverman is one of a cohort of American comedians that includes Jon Stewart, Chris Rock and Ray Romano that worked their way up through the Comedy Strip in the late 80s and early 90s. Her memoir, The Bedwetter is a curious amalgam of anecdote, exposition and advice on subjects as diverse as what who not to joke about (anything to do with rich, blonde, white girls), to the best way to handle drugs, alcohol, sex and fart jokes (Make It a Treat).
Written in a light and self-deprecating manner, I could imagine many of the episodic chapters being incorporated into a stand-up routine. She discusses the shame of enuresis (from which she suffered until her late teens), and a teenage period of debilitating depression with a wry and insightful humour that will give hope to others struggling with similar experiences.
Although I don’t share her love of scatological humour, she has some pertinent points to make about the role of satire in revealing the hidden prejudices in society. Later sections, dealing with her career were less engaging, partly because I am unfamiliar with the American comedy scene, and partly because at 39 few people have enough material to justify a full-length memoir. Amusing enough (visions of her stabbing Al Franken in the head with a pencil during a Saturday Night Live rewrite meeting have stayed with me for some time), but unless you are a Silverman fan, probably not worth the bother.
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