Too Fat to Fish
by Anthony Bozza, Artie Lange
|
List Price: Our Price: $3.42 You Save: $21.53 (86%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Too Fat to Fish
Book Review: Save Your Money - Borrow the Book
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this book because I have been a loyal Stern listener for over 14 years. I have really enjoyed Artie Lange on the show.
I read the reviews before I bought the book on amazon.com and I wish I listened to them. I agree with previous reviewers that the stories can mostly be gotten from listening to the Stern show.
I feel personally cheated by Artie, because I found out recently that he was lying about going to rehab for heroin addiction. I think in a way I believed he was honest, but he recently came clean that he had been lying to Stern Show staffers about it all.
I am concerned about him and would like for him to GET HELP and stop lying to Howard and the subscribers.
Back to the book: it is casually written, kind of like he is speaking with a buddy. How he lost his virginity is new (not on the show), as is his suicide stuff.
At the end of the book he asks the people who bought the book to tell their friends to buy it too - and maybe it's working because today he's #1 on amazon in 2 genres and #28 overall for book sales. However, after finding out that I was inadvertently lied to, I respectfully request that others Save Their Money and borrow the book from a friend for a fun, quick read - why knowingly support a celebrity caught in the downward spiral and his drug&vices habits?
UPDATE - he is getting help and is sober now, so I decided to give the book 4 stars.
Book Review: Too Fat to Write
Summary: 2 Stars
I was expecting a great story from this book, however, most of the stories have already been told on the Howard Stern show, so if you are a fan of the show already this book is a waste of your money. I was hoping I could relate to this Italian comic I admired, but after reading this book I now have lost interest.
If anything the immature writing of the book really set me off. I felt like I was reading an 8th grader's paper. Trying to read a book with a sentence that literally says F-you, goes to point out how immature this guy really is. I understand they were trying to go with the tone of how Artie talks, but it really was an annoying read and kind of insulting to my intelligence.
In fact, by reading this book I have more disgust for the guy as it goes to point out how he has been lucky enough to stumble across much success and continues to blow it with every chance he gets. Anyone who's struggled to get into the business would be enraged reading this book as the amount of times the sun has shined for this guy and how he has stupidly screwed it up time and time again.
The book also goes to point out how Artie still has problems dealing with 'gay' stuff (although he seems to be fairly pro-gay on air), and still has come to terms with his Dad's passing.
In conclusion I was just bored with this book and it didn't give me any insight to Artie I didn't already know or understand being Italian myself.
Book Review: The title alone makes you want to buy this book!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Much like other people, I too was skeptical about an Artie Lange, Jr. book; but I must admit I came away with a different view about Artie. Sure, he always seems out to screw up everything that is good currently at that moment in his life, but that is Artie and some people are like that, I guess. I got the book on my b-day (the 12th) and could not have been more happy about it since I was having a crappy day turning 38. Anyways, I really was drawn into the stories, like the 'baby gorilla' was sitting next to me holding his J.D. & Coke (with it's obligatory straw sticking out of the glass) in his hand! I honestly could NOT put this book down; and I mean that... I was up till 3:30 a.m. lastnight reading it! I finished it today after another few hours.. sure it's an easy read, but in a good way. I love the food stories the most and the details about the celebrity jerks, like Kelly Preston and her kid; that story is great and Artie does not hold back. Granted, most of the stories I've heard on Howard's show before over the course of 7 years, but I can never get enough of the show-biz 'back lot' stories and drunken, drugged-up episodes he went through!! I really think he (and Anthony Bozza) deserve all the success in the world. I can't wait for book #2... that is if Artie doesn't screw that up too!!! Artie: Your father is looking down on you brother and he is proud of you. -Salud!Book Review: WAAAAAAH!
Summary: 2 Stars
I've been a fan of the Howard Stern show since 1990, and I listen to him daily on Sirius. I've had mixed feelings about Artie during his time on the show--sometimes I liked him, sometimes I hated him, mostly I just felt he was a little too self-important and condescending.
I wasn't going to read Too Fat to Fish, but I figured maybe there was a story or two that I hadn't heard on the Stern Show. There was one (taxi driver story) which was pretty funny, but the rest I had heard before. And I wasn't impressed.
Overall, Artie comes off looking like a big fat baby who throughout his life never took care of himself. It isn't cute... or interesting.
The most annoying parts of the book were the "shout-outs" to old agents, Christina Applegate, Orlando Jones, etc. Who cares.
The very last few pages of the book were an opportunity for Artie to wrap the book up in a comedic way. Instead, he tries to be "serious" with his inspirational message about the war and the troops. By that point of the book I was so bored with it I wasn't even going to finish it, and now I wish I hadn't. What I'm sure was intended as a patriotic message came off as preachy and condescending.
I really feel like I wasted my time and money, and I dislike Artie even more now.
Book Review: not as funny as i'd hoped
Summary: 2 Stars
In the last few years I have been totally out of the loop as far as The Stern Show goes so when I bought this book I was expecting this a cover to cover laugh riot. Too Fat to Fish definitely has some extremely funny parts but mostly its pretty depressing.
I don't want to ruin the book for people who haven't read it yet. The parts that stand out the most for me are few and far between but 100% worth the read.
The title story might be the best part. Being told that he is too fat to go fishing is really funny to me, especially because I can relate to his Italian mom cleaning the house at 5AM on Sunday morning. My mother doesn't have any hobbies either and I really think she enjoys waxing the table with Lemon Pledge all the time.
Other highlights would have to be not robbing a bank,throwing fruit, and Don Rickles.
Man, Artie really has a knack for effing things up. Other than the hand full of funny parts TFTF is a whine fest. I know the whole point was to be honest. I know that if I want to hear Artie being funny I can just watch his DVDs (which I own) or tune into Sirius. I still think Lange is a super funny guy but I probably won't buy his next book. Hopefully I didn't kill this for people.