MARTIN - This Is a Book

Copyright 2011 by Demetri Martin

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Second e-book edition: April 2012

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ISBN 978-1-609-41876-2

This book embodies the essence of Demetris comedy to perfection, which is a good thing since he wrote it. Silly but incredibly smart, its exactly what puts me in awe of his work.

Will Ferrell

The definition of deadpan: Comedian Demetri Martin is funny in any medium.

AM New York

When I first saw Important Things with Demetri Martin, I said to myself, this is the funniest thing ever. I was wrong. THIS IS A BOOK is better.

Malcolm Gladwell, author of Outliers

Endlessly clever hilarious essays, ingenious drawings, and absurd lists Top-notch!

Penthouse

Demetri Martin has a very funny and original mind. If I could draw a graph explaining how funny and original he is, I would. But I dont do that. Demetri does that.

Conan OBrien

A grab bag of one-liners, stories, and cartoons. Mr. Martin arrives in the publishing world with ease An entertaining piece of comedy that will make even the most solemn readers laugh. It guarantees Mr. Martin a place in the world of comic literature.

Washington Times

This book is so funny I forgot to laugh. I know that sounds like a childish criticism, but I mean it literally: This book is so funny, I forgot a whole bunch of thingswho I am, what I stand for, large chunks of my childhood, my sense of equilibrium, how to fall asleep, and when Im supposed to laugh at things.

Chuck Klosterman

The book shows his knack for the piercing gag as well as the extended riff. The one-liners speak for themselves The longer essays work equally well His nerdery seems cozy, but its riskier than he lets on. Who else tries to parody A Christmas Carol by introducing the Ghost of Christmas Future Perfect? Who else could pull it off?

Washington City Paper

It harkens back to the humor essays, stories, and intellectual errata of Woody Allen tomes like Without Feathers. Its also a solid translation of Martins stage persona His charts, one-liners, and further forays into experimentation are quirky and often cerebral, but he doesnt favor cleverness over a strong punchline His style is distinct and engaging. Expect plenty of imitators, but dont expect them to be this good.

CityPages.com

Overflows with his comic sensibility. Included are pagelong palindromes, short stories, witty drawings, and one very clever crossword puzzle.

Chicago Sun-Times

Demetri Martin is one very funny fellow His deliciously loopy literary debut is a collection of nearly sixty short pieces designed to make you snicker, snort, giggle, and guffaw filled with a lot of high-concept hilarity I was charmed by THIS IS A BOOK, and totally entertained.

Vegas Seven Magazine

Demetri Martin is one of the few performers around today who understands the comedic power inherent to charts, graphs, and charts and graphs. In addition to being an ambidextrous, guitar-slinging, and piano-playing comedian, the man can now add published author to his rsum.

AdultSwim.com

Hilarious impressive Fans of Martins stand-up will no doubt love his first book Anyone seeking smart comedy and punchy one-liners will find enjoyment and several laugh-out-loud moments in THIS IS A BOOK.

Vox Magazine

I am a bit self-conscious about cackling with laughter in public. That is the only reason I might hesitate to tote [THIS IS A BOOK] along with me to the pool or a coffee shop. People might stare as I chuckle through this collection of short essays, graphs, and sketches a brilliant mind an intelligent, talented writer. Its also fun to read. There is a quirky laugh on almost every page.

Roanoke Times

Fans of Martins stand-up work will find the novel an amusing extension of his existing body of comedy Martin deftly translates [his] unique style into the printed word in his literary debut Every page contains something worthy of a hearty chuckle, and its nearly impossible to remain in a bad mood after flipping through it.

Dartmouth

Hilarious wryly clever.

NHPR.org

Some stand-up comedians can translate their humor to the written page and some cant Martin fits with the first group; THIS IS A BOOK is hilarious.

Las Vegas Weekly

For you.

Thank You,

Rachael

Daniel

Ben

(a lot)

The Beginning.

Much more that way

If youre reading this sentence then youve pretty much got it. Good job. Just keep going the way you are.

(Please ignore this part)

Thank you for coming to the show. Before tonights performance begins there are a few announcements. Please pay attention.

Flash photography is not permitted at any time during the show. Also, there is no recording of any kind allowed during the show. This includes both audio and video recording, as well as sketching, journaling, documenting, making mental notes, reminiscing, reviewing, or remembering anything at all with your mind. Any recording devices that we find will be taken away from you and juggled recklessly by the clown you see standing near the left exit.

Please do not mentally undress the performer. Also, do not mentally put silly outfits on the performer or mentally touch any part of the performers clothes. Please mentally avoid the performers outfit altogether.

You are not permitted to lip-sync any portion of the show. If you do and we catch you, one or both of your lips may be removed from the building.

In the event of a fire, please use the fire exitsbut not the one on the right wall. That one is just a supply closet with a sign that says fire exit over it. Do not open that door. There are explosives behind it.

If you happen to catch on fire during the show, do not panic or wave your arms around or scream or we will give you something to panic and wave your arms around and scream about.

It is illegal to yell fire in a crowded theater. If there is a fire, please yell something else instead, like Flames! or Smoke maker! or Bad hot!

Please refrain from smoking during the show. Anyone who is caught smoking will be shot with our meat gun.

Fighting will not be tolerated in the theater at any time. If you have a problem with someone, please see one of our blow dart vendors.