The Jerk

by Steve Martin, Carl Gottlieb, Michael Elias

Vintage movie tie-in paperback

Genres: Fiction, Comedy, Humor

142 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1979

About the author

Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician, and composer. He was raised in Southern California in a Baptist family, where his early influences were working at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm and working magic and comedy acts at these and other smaller venues in the area. His ascent to fame picked up when he became a writer for the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and later became a frequent guest on the Tonight Show.

In the 1970s, Martin performed his offbeat, absurdist comedy routines before packed houses on national tours. In the 1980s, having branched away from stand-up comedy, he became a successful actor, playwright, and juggler, and eventually earned Emmy, Grammy, and American Comedy awards.

Reviews

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book you must read 3 times in your life. More than 3 times would be better. The movie only need have been made to provide the material for the book. The movie may now be discarded. The book is for the ages.

- William Shakespeare

[Michelle "Champ" · Rating 4 out of 5]

I owned this book as a child...and read it often. It then disappeared and I read it no more, until today when I purchased it once again. I still love Navin Johnson! A great (but too short) movie to book adaptation.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

As explained in the Introduction, this consists of pictures from the movie and limited captions, some of which have to do with the pictures themselves. The problem with this is that the story line of the book doesn't stand alone very well.

[Daren Doucet · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all can struggle through life, but it is much better to do it with some humor... A funny and entertaining book.

[Lia Rock lantz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I was in the 8th grade, so about 35 yrs ago. It was funny then and still funny now. And, a great movie.

[Christine Sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

A photo book, quick read and quite funny, like the movie!

[Spencer Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Funny , but could have been better.

[Arthur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know how fast I can read this book. Luckily for me I never wore Opti Grab lenses. I first saw The Jerk on TV when it went to cable television. Of course I loved the movie, it is the many interesting people portrayed that were so captivating yet while too, the audience must of saw the actors as caring when in their roles or it's to strengthen a purpose for the protagonist, but that just captured me then, and in this book, a mini-movie, a picture-book, a novellazation, moved me once again as I cracked up reading those sizzling jokes. A lot of pictures... and some serious sentiments shows just how funny that The Jerk story idea really is.

[Alexander Peck · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's fun, pictures of the movie, captions. Remince about this great movie without watching it.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining way to tell the movie. :)

[Barbara Clifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was ok. Have to see the movie to really get it.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and interesting.