NewMexiKen picked up Steve Martin’s 2007 memoir Born Standing Up: A Comic’s Life last night around 10:30 and stayed with it to the end, about three hours later.
Martin calls this book a biography “because I am writing about someone I used to know.” The comedian was among the biggest draws ever when he walked away from stand up in 1981, never to return. The book is the story up to that time. His first job, at age 10, was selling guides at Disneyland (he rode his bike to work).
It’s well-written, fast-paced, just enough about each phase of growing up and becoming “a wild and crazy guy.” Unlike many memoirs, it’s rarely what I’d call self-indulgent.
NewMexiKen was never what you’d call a fan of Martin. I thought he was funny when I caught him on Saturday Night Live and I’ve always enjoyed Roxanne, but not one who bought the albums or wore arrows on my head while waiting for a concert. I heard a podcast of Martin with Charlie Rose (speaking of self-indulgent) last week however, and got the book. I am a fan now.