The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell
Tales of a 6' 4", African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd, Mama's Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian
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4.3 • 65 Ratings
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
You may know W. Kamau Bell from his new, Emmy-nominated hit show on CNN, United Shades of America. Or maybe you’ve read about him in the New York Times, which called him “the most promising new talent in political comedy in many years.” Or maybe from The New Yorker, fawning over his brand of humor writing: "Bell’s gimmick is intersectional progressivism: he treats racial, gay, and women’s issues as inseparable."
After all this love and praise, it’s time for the next step: a book. The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell is a humorous, well-informed take on the world today, tackling a wide range of issues, such as race relations; fatherhood; the state of law enforcement today; comedians and superheroes; right-wing politics; left-wing politics; failure; his interracial marriage; white men; his up-bringing by very strong-willed, race-conscious, yet ideologically opposite parents; his early days struggling to find his comedic voice, then his later days struggling to find his comedic voice; why he never seemed to fit in with the Black comedy scene . . . or the white comedy scene; how he was a Black nerd way before that became a thing; how it took his wife and an East Bay lesbian to teach him that racism and sexism often walk hand in hand; and much, much more.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Comedian W. Kamau Bell’s awkwardness definitely shines through in his hybrid memoir and cultural survey, but so does his cutting intelligence and moral compass. Whether he’s exclaiming his love for Doc McStuffins and the Hulk or sharing details about his independent-minded mother and their formidable bond, Bell made us laugh out loud on the regular. Alongside the funny, he serves up cutting and passionate observations about Black Americans’ experiences and how today’s America fails anyone trying to teach their kids about compassion and respect.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Comedian and political gadfly Bell, who hosts CNN's United Shades of America, reflects on his place in the world and the challenges facing both marginalized and dominant cultures in the 21st century, while charting the arc of his comedy career and early influencers. With television and stand-up comedy experience, Bell makes the perfect narrator. His baritone voice is convivial and he reads in a fluid, conversational manner. Whether recounting growing up in Chicago in the 1980s or his experiences as a black man married to a white woman, Bell livens his narrative with impersonations of family and friends and strong comedic timing. He reads at a satisfying pace while subtly building up toward more serious and humorous moments in his memoir. A Dutton hardcover.
Customer Reviews
Conversational, Funny, and Educational
Even though have never watched W. Kamau Bell’s shows or listened to his comedy, I enjoyed this memoir told through essays.
He is funny and conversational. The portions about making shows in Hollywood were fascinating. He illustrates the diversity problem and lack of creative control by artists of color particularly well.
Another great chapter was about the black nerd (blerd) subculture. Finally, his demonstrated commitment to intersectionality and calling out of sexism in the comedy community made the book especially unique.
It sounds like a lot of heavy topics, but Bell writes in a way that is conversational and fun.
Kamau speaks for us all
Loved this book. Kamau has a voice that speaks for so many people who aren’t represented in media. Keep on doing your thing Kamau.
Great read
A perfect weekend read - funny, thoughtful, well done. Highly recommend.