Sign in with Facebook
31st out of 45 books
—
5 voters
Drink Smoke Pass Out
by
Judith Lucy
At last, a book about life that discusses liquor and lovemaking as much as it does the point of it all.
Judith Lucy has looked everywhere for happiness. Growing up a Catholic, she thought about becoming a nun, and later threw herself into work, finding a partner and getting off her face. Somehow, none of that worked.
So lately, she's been asking herself the big questions. Wh...more
Judith Lucy has looked everywhere for happiness. Growing up a Catholic, she thought about becoming a nun, and later threw herself into work, finding a partner and getting off her face. Somehow, none of that worked.
So lately, she's been asking herself the big questions. Wh...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
October 24th 2012
by Viking (Penguin Australia)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
315)
If self-deprecation wasn't Judith Lucy's stock in trade, I'd understand her employing it for this book. After all, she is talking about things which require ironical quotes around them - things ike "soul," "energy," "consciousness." Things that can make you feel like a right dickhead talking about them, especially (and still) in Australia.
Apart from pretty stuff we might post on Facebook, it's not like we have very easily recognised cultural containers for easy discussion about the spiritual asp...more
Apart from pretty stuff we might post on Facebook, it's not like we have very easily recognised cultural containers for easy discussion about the spiritual asp...more
I was only in it for the laughs. And in Chapter 1, there's something immensely quotable in EVERY paragraph, and I'm not exaggerating. The rest of the book doesn't fare as well. Spirituality just isn't for me.
Here's a collection of my favourite quotes:
-"Sure, I was an imbecile. But I think this was one of the reasons Catholicism really got its hooks into me."
-"...the Eucharist. The fact that eight-year-old children are involved in some sort of spiritual cannibalism is strange enough..."
-"My best...more
Here's a collection of my favourite quotes:
-"Sure, I was an imbecile. But I think this was one of the reasons Catholicism really got its hooks into me."
-"...the Eucharist. The fact that eight-year-old children are involved in some sort of spiritual cannibalism is strange enough..."
-"My best...more
If you only pick this up for the laughs you might be disappointed as it's bittersweet in many parts. I could really relate to a lot of her exploits with boys and booze and also to her exploration of the spiritual via Buddhism, meditation and yoga. So it was a pleasure for me to read this book and I really gained a sense of her being a much steadier and happier human being at this stage of her life. Uplifting in a funny, down to earth kind of way.
I read this on the plane and the train, and was caught sniggering away behind the pages. I think that behaviour can make fellow passengers jealous (or is it just uneasy?), because they wonder what you've got there that they haven't, can they have some of it and why is she having all the fun? Anyway, I recommend this book if you are a fan of Judith Lucy the comedian, or a fan of stories about individuals searching for meaning and coming to know themselves. In this case Lucy's 'journey', yes there...more
I read Judith Lucy's book in a couple of days; it is a very easy read. As the title suggests, Judith likes to drink, smoke various substances and pass out. She doesn't like bullshit, especially in herself and much of her self deprecating humour seems to come from this. As she goes through the death of close friends, her parents and the end of a number of relationships she starts to look for something other than alcohol and drugs to answer the big questions. The book ends with the production of h...more
1 like · like · see review
view all 3 comments
I’ve loved Judith Lucy’s stand-up comedy for years – her earthy, dry, self-deprecating wit rarely fails to hit the mark with me. Recently, in her Australian ABC documentary series, Judith Lucy’s Spiritual Journey, Lucy (a lapsed Catholic) explored her own search for spiritual meaning in a way that I (an atheist interested in philosophy) found both engaging and entertaining.
Drink, Smoke, Pass Out is a companion to the TV series, giving Lucy’s whole background from goody-two-shoes Catholic girl (s...more
Drink, Smoke, Pass Out is a companion to the TV series, giving Lucy’s whole background from goody-two-shoes Catholic girl (s...more
Judith Lucy is a popular Australian stand up comedienne who starred in the comedy sketch television show The Late Show and The Mick Mollow Show, hosted breakfast and drive time radio and has had small roles in Australian produced movies like Crackerjack and The Sapphires. She often makes guest appearances on shows such as Good News Week and The Project and tours the country with her own woman stage shows. Judiths first book, a memoir titled The Lucy Family Alphabet, is an irreverent examination...more
I Love Judith Lucy. Her humour tickles me, however this book left me feeling a bit flat. Obviously alcohol and drug dependencies aren't a laugh a minute, but I expected a bit more depth in the spiritual side of things as opposed to just recounting drunken tales. I will admit there were a few times I was sniggering and stifling giggles throughout the book and it was still a good easy read for my flight. But the end of the book disappointed me as it just recapped her tv show without any of the dee...more
Although perhaps not as good as The Lucy Family Alphabet, this is still a fun read as Judith takes us on the spiritual journey that led her to the making of her television series about the same subject. If you've seen the series parts of this book may seem like a retread, but you'll never be bored in Lucy's company. Her writing style is especially suited to her style of delivery on stage, and no doubt you will hear her as you read along.
If only she would do audio books!
If only she would do audio books!
Having been a fan of Judith as a comedian for over a decade, I was really interested to hear her voice through her writing. For me, she did not disappoint in expressing her trademark sarcasm and I was so intrigued as she shared quite candid and intimate details about her life, where she'd come from and her gradual quest of seeking answers for herself as to who we are and what spirituality meant to her. This book showed the reader another dimension of this very funny lady. Very enjoyable read.
Suprised how much I loved reading this book! I picked it up in a bookstore one day not expecting much and the page I opened just made me laugh. The entire book did in the end. And yet Judith Lucy manages to cross so much territory and describe her spiritual journey very honestly. I found I could relate to so much of her story, especially growing up Catholic and never feeling at ease with these roots.
A great read and a good laugh.
A great read and a good laugh.
The first chapter is a real eye opener...the whole book is honest and quite shocking at times. I felt like I could relate to Judith at time and there were certainly time I'm glad I couldn't. The link to the tv series was a nice way to round up the story of her struggle with faith and life. I wonder where Judith's life will lead her next and hope that where ever it does happen to take her she can feel happy, content and loved. Good luck girl and thank you for your honesty.
Would give this three and a half stars if I could. I enjoyed the first half very much. Judith is very funny and her voice rings out through the pages. The final few chapters about spirituality were to me not as interesting, but I could appreciate where she was going with it, and I did watch and enjoy most of her tv show on the topic.
This has really made me want to check out her earlier book about her adopted family. They sound like a scream.
This has really made me want to check out her earlier book about her adopted family. They sound like a scream.
I really did enjoy this book and would give it 2.5 stars. I laughed out loud on several occasions but wish the back half of the book was expanded - the spiritual journey bit that is. I had already read 'The Lucy Family Alphabet' so a lot of the first half of the book was pretty familiar. I loved the Spiritual Journey tv series and especially enjoyed these sections of the book. It made me thankful I wasn't raised Catholic!!
People definitely come away from this book with different experiences. A quick scan of reviews indicates a preference for the start and the laughs. I too enjoyed this but loved loved the second half, where Judith gets into the yoga, meditation, and getting cross with some new age spiritual reads. That is when my iBooks highlighter came out in force. Yep I'm giving yoga and meditation another go.
I love Judith Lucy! I read her first book "Lucy Family Alphabet" after being recommended, and enjoyed it, too! This book is very direct in that the author is VERY honest about her life involving drugs & drinking. Some may find it confronting, however I found it refreshing to see such honesty. Judith Lucy's humor is always spot on!
Although I laugh just at the sight of Judith Lucy, in a not unkind way (bit like I laugh immediately I see Robyn Williams - the expectation of a laugh to come!)I like others don't think this is good as the Lucy Alphabet but I didn't mind the going into the spiritual side which is an interesting perspective on character and thinking, however because I had been to a live show and saw the series I had heard sone of what was in the book already. Nevertheless I still enjoyed the read and had my chuck...more
I really enjoyed it... It's not just about laughs, there are sad and painful times too, much of which many 30 or 40- something women can relate to. I think these are her anticipated readers... I got a few good chuckles and it's well-written - what's not to like? I wish I had a friend like Judith.
While there was a tad too much about the wonders of yoga in this boozy amble down memory lane, I found this a humorous, heart- felt and surprisingly insightful read. Women of a certain age and disposition in particular will totally relate.
Funny but sad story of Judith Lucy's search for some spiritual meaning in her life. It also touches on some of her childhood, but this is dealt with in more depth in her previous book "The Lucy Family Alphabet". It's a great read if you're a fan of Judith Lucy and somewhat inspirational in that she has overcome so much to become the successful comedian that she is.
Enjoyed it. A story of Judith's early years & self destructive habits, culminating in the story behind her recent TV series. A lot of truly excellent one liners. Very funny lady.
Quick-perfect book for A Stray Day W/end and makes you think beyond flags & lamb. Warning: people may think you're crazy, when you laugh so much you wet your pants, cry or do both.
'Oh God, don't tell me I had to go on a journey to find...myself? But what did I expect? I was going to go on a voyage of self-discovery and find one of the Affleck brothers?'
The spiritual journey of Judith Lucy starts with her commitment to a life of self destruction with drugs and alcohol and ends with life changing experiences with Aboriginal women and a trip to India. Whilst I can't claim Judith is a great writer I found myself really enjoying her 2nd book. Her commitment to yoga and meditation inspire me. Her jokes are just as funny in print as they are on stage.
Spirituality isn’t really my thing, but I’ve always been a Judith Lucy fan so still found some value in this humour read. It is not as good as The Lucy Family Alphabet but her distinct voice is evident in cynical opposition to the pretention of “Eat Pray Love” as she takes readers on the spiritual journey that led her to the making of her television series about the same subject.
I really like this woman, I love that she shares her raw life. Her honesty is a thing you respect. She will totally want to hang out with me in Perth when my novel is published.
Still had the funny Judith Lucy humour but attempts to explore religion and spirituality. I enjoyed it, but had seen the TV show and it does go into detail about that.
3.5
Occasionally quite frustrating as I could "hear" the writer's voice - and she speaks a heck of a lot slower than I read.
Occasionally quite frustrating as I could "hear" the writer's voice - and she speaks a heck of a lot slower than I read.
I found the first few chapters funny and captivating. But found myself wanting the book to end and slow going.
Excellent memoir, you can hear the comedian's voice speaking the text in her laconic style. Funny but also thoughtful.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
