Based on a True Story

A Memoir

By: Norm Macdonald

Narrated by: Norm Macdonald, Tim O'Halloran

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Driving, wild and hilarious” (The Washington Post), here is the incredible “memoir” of the legendary actor, gambler, raconteur, and Saturday Night Live veteran.

When Norm Macdonald, one of the greatest stand-up comics of all time, was approached to write a celebrity memoir, he flatly refused, calling the genre “one step below instruction manuals.” Norm then promptly took a two-year hiatus from stand-up comedy to live on a farm in northern Canada. When he emerged he had under his arm a manuscript, a genre-smashing book about comedy, tragedy, love, loss, war, and redemption. When asked if this was the celebrity memoir, Norm replied, “Call it anything you damn like.”

©2016 Norm Macdonald (P)2016 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“A driving, wild and hilarious ramble of a book, what might have happened had Hunter S. Thompson embedded himself in a network studio.”—The Washington Post

“Dostoyevsky by way of 30 Rockefeller Center . . . the best new book I’ve read this year or last.”—The Wall Street Journal

“This book is absurd fiction. . . . Scathing and funny.”—The New York Times

norm nails it

If you could sum up Based on a True Story in three words, what would they be?

Literature, subversive, brilliant.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Norm, obviously. But 'character' is a key word here. Seems to me that Norm has written a comic novel based on his life -- at first I thought it was directly inspired by Hunter S. Thompson, but as I listened further I realized this was great tragicomic fiction in the tradition of Mark Twain..

What about Norm Macdonald’s performance did you like?

He reads it brilliantly, affecting the 'I'm just an old chunk 'a coal" style and voice of an old rural storyteller, which is clearly how he intended the text to be read.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

See This Movie, Sure, But The Book Is Probably Unfilmable, At Least The Best Parts Are, So Read The Book Maybe Instead?give me a break, audible. I'm trying to review a book, not promote a movie.

Any additional comments?

This book will confuse people looking for a juicy celebrity memoir, if those sort of people actually exist. It will delight those who enjoy good writing, as well as Norm's fans. The book is like an ambitious first novel, and I hope he writes more.

Fantastic

One of the funniest books ever. And the audible version is done so well. Loved it

Funny in parts.

This book, much like my life, was very funny in parts. The other parts just seemed to drag. I have never before laughed out loud while reading a book. I dont know why I told you that, because that hasn't changed.

The Desert within the Forest

This was well worth the purchase as the content is a spectrum of life itself.

cracking up

This was the only thing of Norm MacDonald I hadn't seen over 50 times. it was a great listen, and it had me cracking up many times.
get this!

The best way to enjoy this book in my opinion

I've read the book 3 or 4 times since it initially came out but never got around to listening to the audiobook. I always thought I was familiar enough with Norm to nail exactly how this book should've sounded in my head, yet listening to him read it himself was like enjoying it for the first time all over again. His timing and delivery are unparalleled.

This is Norm Macdonald and now the Fake Memoir

"A fancy name for a filthy thing." I wasn't sure what to expect but I should have. Great story/memoir and well told. I heard Norm tell Larry King that the book was truth but not a book of facts. After listening, I understand this statement. If you are a fan of Norm you will not be disappointed. I like to both read and listen to most books, but this is a must listen. I'm sure you'd enjoy reading, but having the author's voice with proper inflections and pauses makes listening that much better. It's a quick listen so get started.

Inspirational

I have truly been inspired... to go baby seal clubbing! Thank you Norm McDonald you are a true American hero

AWESOME!!!

Norm is the funniest human to ever breathe. The book is hilarious start to finish, and you can't go wrong with the old chunk of coal they got to read it.

Fantastic "Memoir"

If you could sum up Based on a True Story in three words, what would they be?

Pure Norm MacDonald

Any additional comments?

An inventive brilliant memoir. For a brief moment it filled that space inside me that wishes there were new Kurt Vonnegut books and new Hemingway books and new episodes of Norm Macdonald led Weekend Update - being all of those things and yet only somewhat some of those things. What a strange book. Great narration.