A Comedy of Nobodies

A Collection of Stories

De: Baron Ryan

Narrado por: Baron Ryan

Audible Pick

Seinfeld meets Fleabag in A Comedy of Nobodies, the debut story collection from popular internet filmmaker Baron Ryan.

Charlie knows he’s not the main character in his own story. He’s just another schmuck in the Ivy League looking to be somebody. He plays in a terrible jazz band, falls in love too easily, and struggles with the human being business.

Written in a wry, comedic style, A Comedy of Nobodies: A Collection of Stories traces one fall semester in the lives of four typical but unforgettable university students who, as compensation for their existential anxieties, just want to feel understood.

As Charlie tries to find love using the scientific method, babysits a toddler for student financial aid, jumps out a window to escape a jealous football player’s wrath, and enrages a packed hockey stadium by replacing the national anthem with a jazz-trio rendition of “American Pie,” he discovers that the answers to life’s most pressing questions are almost always just more questions.

©2024 Baron Ryan (P)2024 Blackstone Publishing

This authors voice sounds like Edward Norton to me which I truly found amusing.

The story itself was broken up into multiple short stories with an emphasis on relationship and romance. If you are expecting comedy this book might let you down it's more filled with ironies than anything else. Because of the nature of the short stories much of the time I had trouble keeping up with the plot and the narrative really came across as just rambling to me.

Not funny

Maybe this just wasn’t my type of humor, or writing, but it was like rambling with very little comedy — maybe it was supposed to be a comedy of errors?

Great memories of being 20 in Boston

Although I attended BU and several decades earlier, this book reminded me about what it was like to be a young adult with some good pals, trying to figure stuff out. I thought the stories fit together well and I look forward to reading more from this author. How did things work out with Diane?

A comedic peek into another human experience

I enjoyed the delivery and every part of the ride. Sometimes hilarious and relatable, mostly funny and all-round witty. Thanks for sharing this slice of your life, Charlie!

College age angst

An episodic novel about Charlie, a poor student, at an Ivy League college. He's in a jazz band, like writing and psychology, and of course, girls. The chapters are humorous, and sad. It's only five hours and I could have listened longer as the stories were touching. I wish my boring college experiences had some of the color that his did.

I sometimes worry when an author narrates their own story but Ryan has a very pleasant voice and he really added to the tale. This make a fun listen, and as the three star rating say, it pretty good.

Brilliant in every way

I've been following you for a while on Instagram and I love your content so reading your first book was the logical next step. This only confirms what I knew all along, you're one of the best story teller there is right now. I can't wait to see you prosper in your projects!!! Keep up!!!

It’s Seinfeld, but less relatable

“Life is like being invited to a mostly lame party where the main selling point is lemon bars.
I like lemon bars- but is that really a reason to endure the party?”
As promised, this definitely brought the Seinfeld vibe as a story about nothing that nonetheless hits nerves both funny and deep (and sometimes at the same time).

“We are broke, but we aren’t animals; we won’t submit to the dining hall just yet.”
For me, some of the riffs were hard to relate to, feeling of white guy entitlement, humble bragging about being a regular Joe while relaying a first date at a restaurant offering caviar.

“Reality will always break your heart.”
“So will fiction, the moment you close the book.”
The Harvard setting kept this in ‘rich people’s problem’ territory- and maybe that’s why some of the segments seemed to be trying too hard to impart life lessons.

“What kind of a man yells ‘boob’ in a public place?”
Still, it was sex and F bomb free and light enough to enjoy the comedy of random events. Those sensitive about dismissing religion might want to pass on this; those who can handle Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer debating God’s existence will love the last two segments.

Enjoyable writing, intimate, thought provoking

I'm not sure why I liked this book but I wanted to read more once I'd finished it. Harvard was a well developed character in these stories. Pls write more Baron Ryan.

clever but accessible

Baron is such a good writer and captures conversation in way I have yet to encounter

Fantastic Debut Novel

Thoroughly enjoyable listen, highly recommend. It is well crafted, thought-provoking, and humorous. The voice is maybe a bit heavy on the Larry David/Seinfeld humor… but it’s also definitely got something uniquely Baron. I’m excited to see what he does next.