The memoirs of Richard Pryor take us from his Illinois upbringing in a family that worked in whorehouses and bars, to his ascendance as the most honest comedian of black life in America. He talks about his cocaine addiction, his six broken marriages, his by-pass surgery and multiple sclerosis.
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"Pryor delivered comedy like a musician delivers jazz" -- The Guardian
"Richard Pryor is truly one of the great artists of our time. His comic
genius and influence remain unparalleled." -- Eddie Murphy
"The Godfather of stand-up comedy at his best" -- FHM --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
"Richard Pryor is truly one of the great artists of our time. His comic
genius and influence remain unparalleled." -- Eddie Murphy
"The Godfather of stand-up comedy at his best" -- FHM --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Dave B
Format:Hardcover
Richard Pryor is one of my fav actors and stand up comics ever so i had to get this book and wow i knew richard Pryor had a hard life growing up and his battle with drugs and stuff but readin this book i was so shocked to how hard it really was for him, Rape , Drugs , Women and beatings. You could make a movie on the life of Richard Pryor.
This is a book well worth getting and is such a good read, no matter how hard the guys life was he always found a way to make funny out of things and to to make others laugh, this is a amazing book about a amazin guy.
Once i started to read this book i found it hard to put down.
This book is a must for all Richard pyor fan.
This is a book well worth getting and is such a good read, no matter how hard the guys life was he always found a way to make funny out of things and to to make others laugh, this is a amazing book about a amazin guy.
Once i started to read this book i found it hard to put down.
This book is a must for all Richard pyor fan.
15 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The story of Richard Pryors life in his own words. Features excepts from his live shows, although these do loose something as they are skits that were not designed to be read, however it does draw focus on how much of Pryors comedy was taken from his life. This is man who has lived life to the full.
If you are familiar with Pryors popular film work, buy the book it will maybe encourage you to venture further into his live shows. I have heard people say Pryors comedy was all about being a black man, it's not it's about being a man.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By ShiDaDao Ph.D
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
This is the very interesting and thought provoking biography of Richard Pryor (1940-2005) - whose full name was actually Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor III. He was born in Peoria, Illinois, USA, to a mother who worked as a prostitute (and eventually owned a string of successful brothels), and a father who was a boxer and bartender. Between 1958-60, Pryor volunarily served in the US Army, where he was trained as a plumber and stationed in Germany, ensuring the US Army's utilities staged functioning. Prior to joining tharmy, Pryor new that he could make people laugh, but it wasn't until 1963 that he pursued what would be a remarkable comic career, after being thrown out the family house by his father.
The paperback (2005) edition contains 280 numbered pages, contains an Introduction, an Epilogue and is separated into three sections:
Acknowledgements.
Introduction.
Part 1 - Chapters 1-17.
Part 2 - Chapters 18-29.
Part 3 - Chapters 30-34.
Epilogue By Jennifer Lee Pryor.
A semi-fictional Black American character named Mudbone narrates the Introduction and the first chapters of the other two parts of the book. Mudbone presents an over view of the different aspects of Richard Pryor's life, as presented in the three parts of the book. Part of these narratives convey a dialogue between Richard Pryor and Mudbone - perhaps signalling that the character 'Mudbone' infact represents Pryor's inner dialogue, with himself. However, 'Mudbone' is a character that Pryor used on stage, claiming that he was based upon a person Pryor knew in his youth. Whatever the case, these opening chapters represent an earthy and honest wisdom.... Read more ›
The paperback (2005) edition contains 280 numbered pages, contains an Introduction, an Epilogue and is separated into three sections:
Acknowledgements.
Introduction.
Part 1 - Chapters 1-17.
Part 2 - Chapters 18-29.
Part 3 - Chapters 30-34.
Epilogue By Jennifer Lee Pryor.
A semi-fictional Black American character named Mudbone narrates the Introduction and the first chapters of the other two parts of the book. Mudbone presents an over view of the different aspects of Richard Pryor's life, as presented in the three parts of the book. Part of these narratives convey a dialogue between Richard Pryor and Mudbone - perhaps signalling that the character 'Mudbone' infact represents Pryor's inner dialogue, with himself. However, 'Mudbone' is a character that Pryor used on stage, claiming that he was based upon a person Pryor knew in his youth. Whatever the case, these opening chapters represent an earthy and honest wisdom.... Read more ›
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Young Stevie
Format:Paperback
That's how I felt, that this book barely skimmed the surface.
For a legend like Richard Pryor, you expect an autobiography to be slightly longer than 270 (dpending on which version you read) pages. His life was as massive as he is in character yet I felt that a lot more detail could have been gone into.
A quick example, the epilogue by Jennifer hints at problems encountered through Richard's children but nothing more is mentioned, an autobiography should have it all!
A good book, but could have been great, like the man!
For a legend like Richard Pryor, you expect an autobiography to be slightly longer than 270 (dpending on which version you read) pages. His life was as massive as he is in character yet I felt that a lot more detail could have been gone into.
A quick example, the epilogue by Jennifer hints at problems encountered through Richard's children but nothing more is mentioned, an autobiography should have it all!
A good book, but could have been great, like the man!
Format:Paperback
I've had this book since its release and am unsure why its like £80 new. Anyway it is a great insight into the Richard Pryor's life, he leaves nothing out either, everything from his upbringing to the drinks, women and everything in between.
I would def recommend to any Richard Pryor fan!!
I would def recommend to any Richard Pryor fan!!
By Mistermark21
Format:Hardcover
From start to finish this book is a joy to read. I didn't know very much about Richard before the book but he gives an honest account of his life which is filled with humor, tragedy, womanizing, drugs, pain and addiction. From the get go its no wonder he turned out the way he did, raised in a brothel by his grandmother and using his pain as theme a tool to convey humor. As his life spirals out of control you feel sorry for him, but at the same time he brings a lot on himself.
If you like his comedy, you'll love this book.
If you like his comedy, you'll love this book.
By nat
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I havent read a book in over 10yrs as i just dont have the time. However this (& his dvds) is what i chose to bring me back to lieterature & im pleased i did. A funny & touching account of his life..Arrived quickly & was well packaged.
By S. Mcfarlane
Format:Paperback
For anyone who has watched Richard Pryors stand up act you will already know what happens in the book
There are no new revelations or stories you haven't heard before, but if you want a recap this is a good way to do it.
There are no new revelations or stories you haven't heard before, but if you want a recap this is a good way to do it.
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