Okay. So I’m doing my first actual review of an “audiobook.”
I use the quotes because to call “Big Dumb Eyes” an audiobook might actually be a bit of a stretch.
That’s not to say it’s not enjoyable. It’s actually great. But it’s almost like an elongated stand up set by Nate himself. Being a fan of his comedy — you’ve probably seen bits on YouTube or TikTok or caught him on Saturday Night Live — I was all in.
Mind you, the book is more than just a string of jokes. Bargatze offers some real details on his life and upbringing. Whether any of it is actually true is a whole ‘nother issue.
Much like Nate’s stand-up, I’m inclined to believe that the book itself is written by a persona of sorts — an exaggerated version of Nate where he’s dumber than he is in real life — but his eyes, really are that big, apparently.
In one story, Bargatze talks about his youth and how he was nearly a genius and was going to work at NASA or whatever. But then he fell off a cliff and bumped his head. And now he’s not so good with the “brain stuff.”
Bargatze says at the book’s outset that you can read the chapters in random order and it would still make as much sense. While I listened to in order on Audible, I’m inclined to think that he was correct. There’s no real journey, per se. It’s just like you’re sitting next to someone at the bar who is REALLY good at telling stories. The order of the stories is irrelevant. And Bargatze does such a good job of re-setting the table, if you will, that you won’t get confused as to who he’s talking about.
Anyway. What I’m trying to say here is that “Big Dumb Eyes” by Nate Bargatze is fun. Well worth the credit. Or the $20 or whatever.
Next week … or month or whatever, I’ll be back with my take on Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance.
Scott Leffler enjoys comedy. And serious stuff. And ice cream. Oh, and mashed potatoes. But I digress.
Originally published on Niagara’s Water Cooler. Republished with permission.
