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List Price: $10.95 | | Publisher: Hyperion
Salesrank: 294389
Released: October 6, 1999 |
| Our Price: $1.50 |
| Used Price: $0.01 |
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| Media: Paperback |
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Editorial Review:
Steve Martins talent has always defied definition: a seasoned actor, a razor-sharp screenwriter, an acclaimed playwright, and, of course, the ingenious comedian who turned King Tut into a national craze. In this widely praised collection of humourous riffs, Martin shows he is also a master of the written word. From a wildly imaginative meditation on who Lolita would be at age fifty to a send-up of the warning labels on medicine bottles, these pieces, many of which first appeared in The New Yorker, hilariously and intelligently skewer the topic at hand. Pure Drivel will have readers crying with laughterand marveling that in addition to all of his many talents, Steve Martin is also a superb writer. Like the fuzzy little puff of marabou on the instep of a coquettes satin bedroom slipper... Martins book of diminutive, often hilarious essays [is]... effortless and silly even as its subtly erudite. ~ Salon Martin is a gorgeous writer capable of being at once melancholy and tart, achingly innocent and astonishingly ironic. He is a master at revealing the surreal poetry in pure drivel. ~ Elle
Description of Pure Drivel:
Don't listen to Steve Martin read this hysterical compilation of his most absurdly funny writings if you're recovering from abdominal surgery or have taken a vow of silence. Martin's brilliant, juxtaposed wordplay, sly commentary, and hilarious observations are delivered with such a droll wit that only a dead person will avoid unabashed laughter. Genius is in the ear of the beholder and Martin's metronomic timing allows each sentence to unravel perfectly. His deadpan delivery is often clever enough to make you laugh twice at the same line and makes it clear why he has enjoyed such remarkable success as an actor, screenwriter, playwright, and author. (Running time: two hours, two cassettes) --George Laney
Pure Drivel Reviews:
Pure Drivel is Pure Drivel 
2009-11-22 - Normally I can't get enough of Steve Martin. I love his movies (Roxanne is my all-time favorite) and have enjoyed his previous books and tapes. But I found "Pure Drivel" to be completely sub-standard. In fact, I stopped after listening to only three tracks. Maybe it gets better, but I was so disappointed that I didn't haven't have the enthusiasm to continue.
Harvey Jacobs
(Still a fan but a little chastened)
Title accurate
2009-02-19 - I purchased this item because I saw a clip of one story in the book. That clip was the only worthwhile portion of the book. The title of the book is extremely accurate. Just proves a celebrity can get anything publised. I wonder if he had to pay to have it published?
Title rings true for some of the stories 
2008-07-29 - I have read Steve Martins other books and throughly enjoyed them. In looking for a new book I came across this. After reading the reviews I was a bit hesitant about getting the book, but his others were good so this one can't be bad (right?). Well, I read about 3 of the stories and then skimmed over the rest. It is not that it was bad, just not entertaining. Nothing held my attention, I fouond my thoughts wandering midway thru his sentences. So, if you enjoyed his other books I would head to the library for this one.
pure drivel is purely divine 
2007-12-19 - i discovered this book while working at a public library. i found it on the audiobook aisle and gave it a listen. and believe me, if you haven't listened to the audiobook i encourage it. it's completely different hearing martin's voice. i can't imagine not listening to the audiobook and enjoying the written one, in fact.
the book is a series of dry-humoured short stories, all sure to make one smirk. "times new roman announces shortage of fonts" is surely the best one, though "taping my friends" runs a close second.
in my opinion, this is by far the best of martin's books. it's good for airplanes, car rides, or any time you want a short read. give it a read (and a listen!)
pure shnivel
2007-11-30 - Great stuff that'll get a laugh even out of the painfully serious. The 50-year-old Lolita even thinks it's funny. A few quotes. "But this guy was no ordinary guy, he was a red guy." "Think what you think, and stultify what you perambulate." "48. Windows for Dummies. 49. Windows for Idiots. 50. Windows for the Subhuman." This is hilarious stuff that just about everyone will get a kick out of...er, this? Author of Adjust Your Brain: A Practical Theory for Maximizing Mental Health.
