Not Funny: Essays on Life, Comedy, Culture, Etcetera

Comedian, former Daily Show producer, and Academy Award nominee Friedman’s self-narrated debut essay collection touches on a range of topics, including her life, comedy, culture, reproductive rights, gender, privilege, and the world of celebrity culture. Friedman discovered a love for comedy and performing in college, taking improv classes which she parlayed into a senior thesis on race, class, and gender in Chicago’s comedy scene. Friedman’s insightful observations, distinct voice, grim humor, and clever storytelling are captivating. Unfortunately, as the narrator of this audiobook, Friedman’s voice does not incorporate the passion that one might expect to find. Her delivery is fine but not noteworthy; listeners will stay for the content, not the audio experience. Even so, whether discussing feminism, politics, or personal anecdotes, Friedman’s observations are intelligent and nuanced. At a time when women’s rights are being rolled back, Friedman fearlessly takes on challenging topics and rejects the idea that women need to focus on being likable.