Rating:  Summary: If you haven't seen the live show, get that in video instead Review: Margaret Cho is at her best when she does stand up comedy. And a very good part of this book is the same, word for word, as her stand up show of the same name. It is a lot funnier to see and hear her relate her experiences in person. It is available on video and it costs about the same as the book. But if you are going to be stuck in an airplane for 5 hours like I was when I read this book, it will help make the experience a lot more passable. As someone who lives in San Francisco, I enjoyed her stories about growing up in the city, which are not covered in depth in the show. Her recounting of all her old relationships started getting a little old after a while, though.
Rating:  Summary: Inspires through laughter and tears Review: I have been a fan of Margaret Cho since I saw her on the ABC sitcom "All American Girl" when I was eight. Now, many years later, I have learned that times were not so pleasant on the set. Her book is told in such candid honesty, sometimes you can't believe she is sharing so much of her life with the reader. Due to this remarkable trait, you never stop and think if maybe she is sugarcoating the truth. The book works on so many layers, for it is heartbreaking at once (be prepared for Margaret's harsh camp 'retreat' early on in the book), and yet, she can reflect with such insight, that she can make almost any situation humorous. Her honesty shows that we are all flawed individuals and that if we keep at it, greatness awaits.
Rating:  Summary: good biography Review: I've liked Margaret Cho for a while now so it was interesting to read about her life and how she got to where she is now. It deals with her childhood where she was an outcase and had a father who in and out. It deals with the difficulties of her getting recognition made coumpounded by ancestory and the blow she took from her show all-american girl, a show that seemed to have gotten criticism from many sources, the network, critics, the asian american community....Finally she book deals with how margaret cho has come to terms with who she is as a person.
Rating:  Summary: A warning: This is not a funny book! Review: Well, it is, in parts. But she goes into such detail about her personal problems (drinking, drugs, sex, strict dieting) that this book is in turns depressing, disturbing, and poignant. Nevertheless, it is an excellent autobiography. One wishes for such frankness and forthrightness in autobiographies. Margaret Cho does not whitewash. She comes right out. More authors should be so blunt in their writing. So, it's not a comedy, but it does illustrate the sources of her top-of-the-line standup routines. If she can go through all of these awful situations and still come out on top, then more power to her.
Rating:  Summary: Reading This Book Made Me Funnier Review: It didn't just make me laugh, which it did. It made me funnier. After reading it, I blurted out what I thought. Apparently this comes off as funny to others. What I am trying to say is that is that this book, her writing, her thoughts are honest as heck. I really don't care if I would want to be her friend (probably not) or the s--t she's been through, what I love love love is that she's frigging honest in what she says to people. It's not a lesson-in-life-autobiography type thing, it's just funny and refreshing to read someone saying EXACTLY what they think. Jail or stardom, that's where that can get you. Luckilly, apparently, it led to the latter outcome with her. I don't know her stand-up, but I can say the book is something to have for that proverbial rainy day.
Rating:  Summary: If white people want her Review: they can have her! That's all she wants anyway. Is it any wonder that white people help write her stupid show?! All Cho does is make fun of her culture (as if she has any). My Korean friends cringe when they hear her name. This book did nothing for me or help Asian causes. If you want to read a critique on her, get MultiAmerica (ed. Ishmael Reed).
Rating:  Summary: Honest story of Margaret's life Review: As a companion to the hilarious dvd of the same title, this book delves a little deeper than the stand up routine and allows the reader, in greater detail, to see the problems that Margaret Cho has overcome. From her childhood, where she was viewed as an outsider to her adult life, dealing with failed relationships, alcohol/drug abuse and racism, Ms. Cho is completely candid. She lets us know about painful events in her life, such as being raped, simply and truthfully. Near the end of the book, she deals with the failure of her sitcom with ABC and the problem with her weight, a concern for everyone, it seemed, but her. At the end, you see a young woman that has become comfortable with who she is and unafraid for anyone to know it. If you are a Margaret Cho fan, you'll want to pick this book up. Ifs not the laugh-a-minute riot that her live concert is, but it is well worth the read.
Rating:  Summary: Margaret Cho, you are amazing Review: I just loved this book. Be prepared to plunge into a world that is painful, honest, and completely raw. It took amazing courage to write a book like this. Now when I watch her comedy or see her in a show, I have so much more perspective on this incredible woman (and makes me wonder about the backstage stories of other actors). The writing isn't super smooth, but the frankness and very real experiences more than make up for it. Also, lots of humorous moments that will make you laugh out loud. You should definitely buy this book if 1) you are at all a fan of Margaret Cho 2) you are interested in a glimpse into the true Hollywood (includes a crazy look at her stages of getting, shooting, and losing her ABC sitcom) or 3) you want a fun, crazy read of a celebrity biography.
Rating:  Summary: Repetitve, self-absorbed, unedited Review: The book is highly repetetive. The points above being Korean-American, body image, etc may be valid, but they are repeated ad nauseum. I kept expecting something different in the next chapter, but they're all the same. In the book, Ms. Cho discusses her dislike of being edited, and I assume this book was not edited. A good editor could have let Ms. Cho's thoughts and feelings come through but in a more coordinated and cohesive style, with less repetition. Even though she exposes herself mercilessly, I still come away from the book with the lack of a solid understanding of her, and especially where she is now.
Rating:  Summary: Behind the comedy Review: As most of the reviewers have stated, I began reading this book thinking that it was a representation of Margaret Cho's stand-up comedy. Well, it is, but not in the way one would expect. It's more about Cho's life and where her comedy comes from. It's about her journey through tragedy and pain to the beautiful places within herself, where she can love herself. Yes, there are parts of her comedy routine here, but more than that, there are incredibly powerful, inspirational autobiographical snippets. I was amazed at Cho's capacity for writing. I found myself drawn into her story, consoling and cheering along with her and her friends. That is Cho's power as a comedian and as a person. She brings us into her world and makes us hers.
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