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How I Escaped My Certain Fate

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( 4,260 ratings, 244 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
How I Escaped My Certain Fate by Stewart Lee is a candid and humorous memoir where the comedian revisits his career, sharing insights on his performances and the pitfalls of the stand-up industry. The book provides annotated transcripts of three of his shows, blending personal anecdotes and genuine analysis, offering a unique perspective on comedy as both an art form and a profession.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

If you appreciate the wit and insight of a comedian dissecting his own work, this book might appeal to you. It offers an engaging blend of stand-up transcripts, footnotes, and personal commentary, perfect for those who enjoy humour with a meta touch.

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With unprecedented access to a leading comedian's creative process, this book tells us just what it was like to write the shows, develop the performance and take them on tour.

How I Escaped My Certain Fate, by Stewart Lee, is the bestselling book by acclaimed stand-up comedian, revealing the inside workings of his award-winning act.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Experience how it feels to be the subject of a blasphemy prosecution! Find out why 'wool' is a funny word! See how jokes work, their inner mechanisms revealed, before your astonished face!

In 2001, after over a decade in the business, Stewart Lee quit stand-up, disillusioned and drained, and went off to direct a loss-making opera about Jerry Springer. How I Escaped My Certain Fate details his return to live performance, and the journey that took him from an early retirement to his position as the most critically acclaimed stand-up in Britain.

Here is Stewart Lee's own account of his remarkable comeback, told through transcripts of the three legendary full-length shows that sealed his reputation. Astonishingly frank and detailed in-depth notes reveal the inspiration and inner workings of his act. With unprecedented access to a leading comedian's creative process, this book tells us just what it was like to write these shows, develop the performance and take them on tour.

How I Escaped My Certain Fate is everything we have come to expect from Stewart Lee: fiercely intelligent, unsparingly honest and very funny.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780571254811

Publisher: Faber & Faber

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 August 2011

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Faber & Faber

Edition: Main

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 126.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 325g

Pages: 400

About the Author

Stewart Lee began stand-up in 1988 at the age of 20, and won the Hackney Empire new act of the year award in 1990. In 2001 he was asked to write the libretto for Jerry Springer: The Opera which went on to win four Olivier awards. His most recent stand-up shows have been Stand Up Comedian (2004), 90s Comedian (2005), 41st Best Stand-up Comedian (2007) and If You Prefer a Milder Comedian, Please Ask for One (2009). Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle, featuring stand-up shows and sketches, appeared on BBC2 in Spring 2009.

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