Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang
by Chelsea Handler
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Book Summary Information
Author: Chelsea HandlerEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2010-03-09
ISBN: 0446552445
Number of pages: 256
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Book Reviews of Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang
Book Review: It's OK, but lacking 'Bang'
Summary: 3 Stars
Based on the reviews, I must be in the minority, which is fine. For me, 'Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang' was just okay. It was not as good as 'Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea', the only other book I've read by Chelsea Handler. I enjoy her comedy and sense of humor; her personality, jokes and all but what struck me about 'Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang' was that a lot of her usual humor and personality is strangely absent from a good portion of the book. The first half of the book doesn't feel or seem all that humorous at all; it actually feels more autobiographical and includes Chelsea getting 'in touch' with herself at a young age, struggles in her relationship with her now ex-boyfriend and dealings with drugs. The humor doesn't really kick in until the final third of the book, which is a shame because it made me feel (as a reader) that too much of the book had been wasted on random stories that felt out of touch and out of sync with the rest of the book.
The Good: The best part of the book was when Chelsea put the focus on her relationship with her father and siblings. While I felt the younger years, featuring a smart-mouthed, cursing young Chelsea felt a bit too far fetched and beyond funny, the essays where she simply revealed conversations/E-mails between her brothers and sisters about her father were by far the funniest. The material felt effortless and was full of humor and pure comedic genius that only she could pull off. These moments came later in the book but were worth the wait. Also, her speaking of all the jokes and lies she tells her friends and family made for a good read.
The Bad: A lot of the book seemed to focus on her relationship with Ted, her boss/ex-boyfriend. This, to me, is where a lot of the humor seemed to be wasted and loss because her relationship seemed riddled with issues because they were complete opposites. Perhaps some found humor in it but to me the strain and tension really came through her accounts of their differences and interactions. Also, I felt the essays/stories that took place during her childhood or early 20s seemed to be the least funny. To me, the childhood stories, including self exploration, wanting a cabbage patch doll and then getting high in her 20s just seemed to try too hard to either be shocking or funny. To me, they just weren't and had fewer laugh-out-loud moments. I didn't really laugh or start enjoying the books until the final chapters when it felt like the entire tone or focus shifted away from the relationship issues and went back to focusing on the family and what sets Chelsea apart from other female comediennes.
In all, I was let down. While I'm aware the book is a collection of essays, there still seems to be a lack of focus and the book seems to wander around looking for a theme. It lacks what her previous book had: lots of outrageous, pure comedic, hilarious moments and opts for some rather sedate, introspective looks into some not-so-funny moments of her life. With a title 'Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang' I really expected lots of outrageous, 'bang' moments but instead the book offers many dull, curiously unfunny moments from Chelsea Handler's life. I recommend passing on this particular book or buying it used/cheap.
Summary of Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang
Life doesn't get more hilarious than when Chelsea Handler takes aim with her irreverent wit. Who else would send all-staff emails to smoke out the dumbest people on her show? Now, in this new collection of original essays, the #1 bestselling author of Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea delivers one laugh-out-loud moment after another as she sets her sights on the ridiculous side of childhood, adulthood, and daughterhood.Family moments are fair game, whether it's writing a report on Reaganomics to earn a Cabbage Patch doll, or teaching her father social graces by ordering him to stay indoors. It's open season on her love life, from playing a prank on her boyfriend (using a ravioli, a fake autopsy, and the Santa Monica pier) to adopting a dog so she can snuggle with someone who doesn't talk. And everyone better duck for cover when her beach vacation turns into matchmaking gone wild. Outrageously funny and deliciously wicked, Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang is good good good good!
Chelsea Handler on...
- Being unpopular: "My parents couldn't have been more unreasonable when it came to fads or clothes that weren't purchased at a pharmacy."
- Living with her boyfriend: "He's similar to a large toddler, the only difference being he doesn't cry when he wakes up."
- Appreciating her brother: "He's a certified public accountant, and I have a real life."
- Arm-wrestling a maid of honor: "It wasn't her strength that intimidated me. It was the starry way her eyes focused on me, like Mike Tyson getting ready to feed."
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