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Title details for Harold by Steven Wright - Available

Harold

by Steven Wright
Steven Wright
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
1 of 1 copy available
A uniquely humorous and deeply profound novel from a legendary stand-up comedian that follows the thoughts of a 1960s third grader during a single day at school.
Steven Wright is one of the most significant and influential stand-up comedians in history. Rolling Stone ranked him fifteenth on their "50 Best Stand-ups of All Time" list, while the New York Times has written of his enduring legacy: "If you made a family tree of modern stand-up, he would top one of the few major and expanding branches. The children of Mr. Wright pack the comedy scene today." Now comes his first novel, which is sure to be unlike anything you've ever read.

From the outside, Harold is an average seven-year-old third grader growing up in the 1960s. Bored by school. Crushing on a girl. Likes movies and baseball—especially the hometown Boston Red Sox. Enjoys spending time with his grandfather. But inside Harold's mind, things are a lot more complex and unusual. His thoughts come to him as birds flying through a small rectangle in the middle of his brain. He visits an outdoor cafe on the moon and is invited aboard a spaceship by famed astronomer Carl Sagan. He envisions his own funeral procession and wonders if the driver of the hearse has even been born yet.

Harold documents the meandering, surreal, often hilarious, and always thought-provoking stream-of-consciousness ruminations of the title character during a single day in class. Saturated with the witticisms and profundities for which Wright's groundbreaking stand-up has long been venerated, this novel will change the way you perceive your daily existence. To quote one of its many memorable lines: "Everything doesn't have to make sense. Just look at the world and your life."

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    May 16, 2023

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781797161525
      • File size: 158759 KB
      • Duration: 05:30:44

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Library Journal

      June 10, 2024

      Stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and film producer Wright's comedic debut novel captures a surreal day in the life of 1960s-era third-grader Harold. Employing his signature deadpan delivery and offbeat humor, Wright also narrates and offers an understated performance, describing Harold, whose thoughts come to him as birds fly through a small rectangle in his brain. Through a series of interconnected vignettes and absurd situations, Wright explores Harold's singular psyche--obsessed with classmate Elizabeth, slightly disrespectful to his teacher, and dreamily unmoored as he lets his mind drift throughout the day. He shares wisdom from his beloved grandfather ("Listen to me--don't ever do what a woman tells you to do") and is occasionally interrupted by an omnipotent narrator. Harold's thoughts and words are not always gentle or respectful, and his comments about women are generally negative in stereotypical ways. While Wright's monotone voice is effective in small doses, listeners may find that it grows tiresome, even though the audio clocks in at a modest five and a half hours. VERDICT Wright performs his unique first novel with the impassivity for which he is so well known. An optional purchase that is best for true fans only.--Christa Van Herreweghe

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

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