Cinderella Story : My Life in Golf

by bill-murray-george-peper

To many, Bill Murray is the star of movies like Ghostbusters (reissued with certain scenes deleted and a Mystery Science Theatre-style commentary in 1999). But to golf aficionados, Murray is the clown in godawful "Hee-Haw-aiian" golf garb who plays shamelessly to the crowds at charity tee-offs from Pebble Beach to the Greater Milwaukee Open. And there is only one Bill Murray role, the gopher-snuffing, turf-smoking greenskeeper Carl Spackler in Caddyshack, whose fantasy of golf heroism gives this book its title. "This crowd has gone deadly silent," Spackler mutters with club in hand and no crowd in sight, "a Cinderella story outta nowhere--former greenskeeper and now about to become the Masters champion!" Cinderella Story is really two books. The first is a string of outrageously digressive anecdotes about Murray's club-wielding adventures with Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer ("Incandescent ... he and Patton were born to lead armies"), Mike Ditka, John Denver, Chi Chi Rodriguez ("He had more fun playing golf than any person I'd ever seen."), Clint Eastwood, and Michael Jordan ("Relax," Murray tells himself, "his nickname is 'air,' not 'sand.'"). The prose style is mock-hepcat, insanely allusive, and very smart, like his screen persona.This book is also the amusing, affecting autobiography of a kid who started out caddying for 60 cents a half-hour with his brothers--they got busted for giving a blind golfer three hole-in-one trophies--and wound up in showbiz. There are lots of showbiz anecdotes too, especially about Caddyshack, "arguably the greatest film ever made, although perhaps that's a drunken argument," as Murray observes. He'll get no argument from golfers, who will thrill to his expert ridicule of their mutual passion. --Tim Appelo

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Biography, Humor, Comedy, Memoir, Autobiography

Paperback

First published May 18, 1999

Reviews

[Matt Carmichael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bill Murray's somewhat scatter-shot style is hard to follow at first. His "stream of consciousness" narrative d. Takes you many places. (However the guy is a comedic genius, so any criticisms are probably due to my limitations.) I especially enjoyed the recounting of his boyhood caddie adventures. The book "swings" ..wink-wink, from the hilarious to philosophical, much like life and Golf! ...echoing one of Murray's points.

[Trevor Seigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill Murray is my spirit animal. I mean, the way this guy approaches life, it's damn inspirational. A guy who started out being "Chevy Chase's replacement" on the original SNL and then went on to star in some of the best movies of his generation. He experienced a career revival thanks to Wes Anderson, becoming a part of that director's ensemble cast in many of the most quirky films of the 2000's. And he's been nominated for an Oscar. Not bad for a kid who grew up caddying at the nearby golf course in his native Illinois.

"Cinderella Story: My Life In Golf" is a charming, whimsical, and funny look at Murray's life-long love affair with the sport of golf. Personally, I don't care for golf much myself, but Murray makes it sound fantastic, and he has a great way of looking at life in this book. I doubt we'll ever get a memoir of his acting career (Murray doesn't strike me as the type to pen the sort of book that dishes dirt on all the behind-the-scenes drama, maybe), so this will have to do as a memoir/philosophical tract. It's a bit meandering, like any good story told over a beer at the clubhouse after a long round on the back nine, but that's part of its charm. I bought this on a Saturday, started it on a Sunday, and finished it just now, on Monday night. It's a quick, fun read.

Bill Murray loves golf, and his memoir is a testament to how it's been important in his life. I may not share his devotion to the game, but I can enjoy this book because it's pure Bill Murray.

[Jason Waltz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would love to meet Bill Murray. I am fascinated by the stories of the man and would love the opportunity to meet him and talk with him. I enjoy his movies and his acting. I don't believe I understood this book a bit. there are humerus bits, but they are lost among the confusing bits. there are bits of Bill's life, but even they are confusing stuck somewhere between believable and unbelievable. I believe a reader will need to know much more than I about golf to understand the majority of the book and the majority of its humor, yet somehow my perception of an authentic golfer leads me to believe s/he would not enjoy this book beyond a few anecdotes. the last few pages are the most poignant, offering the most insight into the man and his perceptions. I have very mixed reactions to this title, but overall I fear I wasted my time reading it.

[Caleb Wolters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is not for those who are not fans of the game of Golf or Bill Murray, but seeing as I love both this book was right up my alley.

[Christopher Angulo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way more golf than I expected. It was great though. My favorite were the little snippets about Murray from those that played golf with him.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

To enjoy this autobiography, you better like golf or like Bill Murray enough to sit through a lot of talk about golf. If you do, you'll find some very humorous and humble moments inside.

"The job also develops a service personality. Not indentured or slavish, but capable of putting another person's needs first. Do you know what I mean? If you are sick, if you're in trouble, out of your element, someone with more than kindness is needed—someone Samaritan. Someone with the ability to do for another what needs to be done. They say you can tell a lot about a person by the way he treats a waiter. Or a caddy, you might add. It's the manners and ease with which one accepts being served. Those who can't serve graciously can't be graciously served. This is more easily learned from service."

[Kevin Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wish I could give this a higher rating as much as I admire Bill, but the book is about 60% Golf 40% stories outside of that. I loved the stories outside of that, but I don't really know enough about golf to see the full benefit of the rest of the book. Check it out anyway if you're a huge Murray fan, and if you're into golf definitely check it out.

[McLaren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Bill Murray and appreciate golf - I've read and immensely enjoyed John Feinstein's "The Majors". This is just too disjointed to be very satisfying. Maybe that wasn't the point. The stories are fun, his rambling is charming, the memories from friends and others are nice, and the photos are a hoot. It's clearly Bill Murray's style.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I didn't dislike this book enough to give it 3 stars but I didn't like it enough to give it 4 stars. But there are no half stars, so...
I grew up on Bill Murray. I watched him each weekend on SNL. He was one of my "formative years" comedic actors so movies like Stripes, Caddyshack, Ghostbusters will always be part of my well of quotes and imitations so I generally get Mr. Murray's sense of humor. There were times that humor showed throughout this memoir. Other times I had to wonder if it was (oh, my but, pardon the pun, after all he did have a co-author) lost in translation. Also, I don't have a lot of golf knowledge but I know enough to get by, but when you get beyond Caddyshack for any slang or jargon? Fuggeddabouddit!
Now one may wonder why one may pick up a book about an actor who has written about golf if the reader doesn't know much about golf? First, I rescued this book from a library book sale. Second, it's Bill Murray. Third, "Cinderella Story"--gotta be talking about how golf inspired Caddyshack. Right?
So, I think that's why I couldn't rate this higher. The golfspeak was above the casual observer and my expectation was not quite what the book had delivered. Otherwise, it's nice to see glimpses into how he grew up and how pivotal golf was for him and how much of what happens in Caddyshack is what really happens off the links and behind the pro shops.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this on a lark while walking around the sports section in WPL. After reading medieval British history for the better part of the year, it felt like I had earned it.

It's just a general memoir of his life in golf: playing as a kid, caddying, eventually the Pro-Ams. Learned a couple of things, beyond just that he lived across from a nunnery in Wilmette, about a mile from my house. I had always told the story that he caddied at Canal Shores, b/c that's what I thought I had heard. But I was never sure. Turns out that he only caddied at Indian Hills in Winnetka, not Canal Shores.

BUT -- near the end of the book he mentions that he got a job at Evanston Community Golf Course -- what we now know as Canal Shores. But he was a maintenance guy, not a "loop". Still, I was partially right.

There's also some interesting tidbits about Wisconsin, b/c he went up there as a kid with his family. He also mentions a meal he had later in life at Paul Bunyan's in Minocqua (he says in Woodruff, but I think that's factually in error). And he also went to Loyola Academy, so all the local tidbits and remembrances made it more fun to read.

[Ben Hammond · Rating 3 out of 5]

The three star rating is not based upon Bill's stories, but on the writing style. While Bill is a great story teller, I felt like his approach (no golf pun intended) here was a little off the fairway (golf pun intended). Most of the book felt forced in a stylistic sense, which detracted from the stories and humor that Bill is known for. When the stories took center stage during the last few chapters, however, it became a much more enjoyable read.

[Lisa Konet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this was the quickest most humorous read that I have had in awhile and it ties in with one of my favorite movies, Caddyshack! If you want a book that is fun, has anecdotes that delight and just want a laugh; look no further!

Would definitely read more from Bill Murray because he has done so much more comedy and movies. Plus he is just hilarious.

[Jade Dove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Murray writing about anything is worth the read. Even golf, which is boring to me. But in his capable hands, the sport--and his life experiences with the game--are funny, wise and pretty cool. I love Murray's writing style. It feels like he's telling his stories in person. A nice little book for the golf fan and the bigger Murray fan.

[Sean Mace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very funny book. Thanks to the success of "Caddyshack" and his portrayal of Carl Spackler, Bill Murray has become a golfing legend. It tells story's of Bill golfing and being just a legend. If you love any of Murray's movies and golfing you will love this funny book.

[Dillon Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bill is very witty and his stories both on the golf course and film sets are delightful. The book is unfocused at times and strays off to one tale before finishing another, but for a quick, light read, fans of Murray’s brand of humour will certainly enjoy.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, but as one reviewer called it, Murray's "scatter-shot" approach to the narrative was somewhat hard to follow. But the book is pretty funny and I found myself chuckling many times.

[Igor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really???? Dear Bill Murray, please stick to acting and making good movies forget about writing as an author.

[Georgette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like golf. I DO like Bill Murray. many on GR did not like this book. I enjoyed it.

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bill Murray is one of my favourite actors and yet I don’t think his voice translated well to print. I’d rather listen to him read this book than read it myself.

[Lauren Callis · Rating 3 out of 5]

You have to love Bill Murray & golf to get into this book. I love both; which made it a fun, easy read.

[Matty Myatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good!

[Mark Maioli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine light read - could here Bill in my head

[Scott Breslove · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wild, wacky, scatterbrained (although probably not to him) and zany. Yep, it’s Bill Murray.

[Nathan M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

7 short, rambling, anecdotes set in the style of days of the week. Quick reading, humorous and somewhat informative. If you like Bill Murray, or golf, you'll enjoy the book. If you don't, you won't.

[Kenneth Dellovo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's dated. But if you like golf and are a fan of the man who played Carl Spackler, Peter Venkman and Ernie McCracken, you'll probably enjoy it, like I did.

[Michael Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read!

[John Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

ADD fun, he is all over the place in his golf narrative but clearly, he loves golf. Some fun stories and insights but be prepared for a disjointed ride.

[Megan Keel · Rating 3 out of 5]

silly and lighthearted but best quote: “He was a real man. Fearlessly kind.”

[Daniel Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recollections of Murray’s time as a caddy, his play in Pebble Beach Pro-Ams and lessons learned from the game. Slight book, but still an enjoyable read.

[Jake Sweede · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable corkscrew read. Loved the Wisconsin experiences and Orel Hershiser part.