Review of STEVE MARTIN WRITES THE WRITTEN WORD
by Johny McFliggen, PhD Literature & Business, Oxford
Steve Martin, the consummate Renaissance man of comedy, has taken an unexpected turn into the whimsical world of lexicon in his book "STEVE MARTIN WRITES THE WRITTEN WORD." This tome is a curious amalgamation of wit and absurdity, much like Martin's own comedic style that we've come to know and love. Here, he deconstructs the mundane and elevates the seemingly trivial—words like "strudel," "Filofax," and "socks"—into objects of contemplation and humor.
In an era where language is often reduced to emojis and abbreviations, Martin's exploration of the written word feels both nostalgic and refreshingly avant-garde. His collection, a mix of previously published pieces and new musings, reads like an episode of "Saturday Night Live" penned by an erudite linguist with a penchant for the surreal. Imagine, if you will, a dialogue between James Joyce and Monty Python, with Martin serving as the mediator.
The book is reminiscent of Martin's earlier literary endeavors such as "Born Standing Up," where his introspective humor shines through the narrative. However, unlike his memoirs, this work is less about the man behind the banjo and more about the words that populate his world. It is as if Martin has taken a cue from Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky," creating a nonsensical yet insightful romp through language.
For those familiar with Martin's novels like "An Object of Beauty," there is a similar thread of artistry in his prose here. Where his novel delves into the art world with a critical yet affectionate eye, "STEVE MARTIN WRITES THE WRITTEN WORD" does so with the lexicon. Martin is not just playing with words; he is sculpting them, much like Rodin with marble, chipping away at the facade to reveal something delightfully absurd yet profoundly human.
While some might argue that dedicating an entire book to words like "socks" borders on the ludicrous, it is precisely this audacity that makes Martin's work so engaging. He invites us to find beauty in the banal, to laugh at the ordinary, and to question our assumptions about language itself. In a world increasingly devoid of nuance, Martin's book is a testament to the power of words to entertain, provoke, and enlighten.
In conclusion, "STEVE MARTIN WRITES THE WRITTEN WORD" is not just for fans of Steve Martin or linguistics aficionados; it is for anyone willing to embark on a journey through the labyrinthine corridors of language with one of comedy's most astute minds as their guide. It is a reminder that even in our most routine expressions, there lies potential for great humor and even greater insight.
Purchase Link: STEVE MARTIN WRITES THE WRITTEN WORD on Amazon
