Up front, I am a fan of Mike Birbiglia. I have been since I started hearing him on The Bob and Tom show, and have since made sure I’ve grabbed his latest CDs, listened to his appearance on the Nerdist Podcast and caught his Comedy Central specials and TV appearances. That said, I was somewhat hesitant regarding this book, because I was fearful I had probably heard most of the material in one medium or the other. Fortunately for me, I was pleasantly surprised. So if you’re a fan of Birbigs in anyway, then this book is something you’ll be glad you got, and if you’re not, do yourself a favor and grab this book and introduce yourself to one of the funniest comedians you can find.
“Sleepwalk with Me” (Simon & Schuster) is a look, not only into Birbigs comedy and how his life influenced his art, but sometimes it almost reads as if he’s admitting or confessing something to you so you can understand where he is coming from better, of course this typically comes at the expense of himself.
Yes, it is a humorous read, and reads almost like a fuller version of his routine, where each chapter is its own joke, where it has a premise and a punch line, but its much fuller, its much more fulfilling then a simple “wham-bam” joke, and sticks with you much more. Not only that, but in fleshing out these premises that he uses as backdrops for his comedy, Birbiglia mixes in parts of his true character where he writes about things that affect us all, including a parents illness and the eventual loss of ones first love.
Still, with all this, Birbigs since gives you some of the comedian biography where he covers his rise to where he is now, and shows some of the inner workings of being a stand up comic. Fortunately for the reader, this doesn’t bring you down or slow the book, Birbigs has a perfect way of just telling you how something is or was. His book reads just like his act sounds. Personal, as if he’s talking to you or telling you a story in hopes of entertaining, not just telling a joke to tell a joke. There is sometimes an unrealized difference between the two, but in this case, its realized, and reads perfectly.
The book is an enjoyable, but unfortunately for the reader, a quick read at around 200 pages. The book definitely leaves you wanting more, but I can’t think of a more appropriate compliment to pay this book but that. It leaves you wanting more of Mike Birbiglia. .