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True Story
True Story is Maher's debut novel about the wild and crazy life of the stand-up comedian -- a bawdy, rowdy tell-all report from the front line.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
64 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
About the author
Bill Maher
20 books468 followersWilliam Maher, Jr., is an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He hosted the late-night television talk show Politically Incorrect on Comedy Central and ABC, and is currently the host of Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO. On June 1, 2006, he also began hosting an Internet-exclusive talk show on Amazon.com entitled Amazon Fishbowl.
Maher is known for his political satire and sociopolitical commentary. His commentaries target a wide swath of topics, from the right-wing to the left-wing, bureaucracies of many kinds, religion, political correctness, Hollywood, the mass media, and persons in positions of high political and social power, among many others. He supports the legalization of cannabis and gay marriage and serves on the board of PETA. Maher is number 38 on Comedy Central's 100 greatest stand-ups of all time.
Maher is known for his political satire and sociopolitical commentary. His commentaries target a wide swath of topics, from the right-wing to the left-wing, bureaucracies of many kinds, religion, political correctness, Hollywood, the mass media, and persons in positions of high political and social power, among many others. He supports the legalization of cannabis and gay marriage and serves on the board of PETA. Maher is number 38 on Comedy Central's 100 greatest stand-ups of all time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
April 19, 2016
Set in 1979 and 1980, before the big comedy boom of the 1980s, “True Story” is about five comics trying to make a name for themselves during the birth of stand-up comedy. Before anyone could just walk on stage and call themselves a comic, the comedians in Maher’s book embody the starving artist; refusing to take normal jobs while they travel across the country to hone their craft. Each comedian struggles with their own identity, their ego, and conflicts with women and seedy club owners.
Maher finished this book in 1992 and published it in 1994 shortly after starting his show “Politically Incorrect.” It is his first and only novel, and Maher has expressed no interest in writing another. While the characters and places in the book are fictional, it is safe to assume that they are actually composites of real people and locations. Maher was a stand-up during this time. He lived this life. I wouldn’t doubt if some part of this book were autobiographical or greatly exaggerated at least. While Maher’s observations can be funny at times, “True Story” can become confusing very confusing and boring at times. There were jokes in the book with Maher’s tone that were funny at times, but it was hard to follow the narrative structure. I’m a big fan of Maher and love his type of comedy, but there was something missing from “True Story” that didn’t quite land in a novel format.
Maher finished this book in 1992 and published it in 1994 shortly after starting his show “Politically Incorrect.” It is his first and only novel, and Maher has expressed no interest in writing another. While the characters and places in the book are fictional, it is safe to assume that they are actually composites of real people and locations. Maher was a stand-up during this time. He lived this life. I wouldn’t doubt if some part of this book were autobiographical or greatly exaggerated at least. While Maher’s observations can be funny at times, “True Story” can become confusing very confusing and boring at times. There were jokes in the book with Maher’s tone that were funny at times, but it was hard to follow the narrative structure. I’m a big fan of Maher and love his type of comedy, but there was something missing from “True Story” that didn’t quite land in a novel format.
May 29, 2011
Bill, I love ya, man, but stick to non-fiction. Goodnight everybody, be good to your waitress, try the veal!
October 17, 2019
I like Bill Maher, and when it was mentioned in a recent interview that he'd written a novel - I sought it out. I was simply curious. It was dreadful. I read two chapters. Skimmed through the rest. There were five characters, all male, named Dick, Shit, Fat, Chink, and Buck. Names based on the themes of their acts. Except few of them actually had an "act." Mostly wishful thinking. Most of the early part of the book was a discussion by this 5 of the girls they'd fucked on the road. (their word, not mine) A waitress named Pussy was discussed at length. Anyway, I felt like I was listening to a bunch of 14 year old boys. And, honestly, Maher admits these guys were immature idiots. I didn't find it funny; I didn't find it entertaining in anyway. It was like listening to 5 Howard Sterns with no Robin to bitch slap him when he/they needed it. If there was a plot, I missed it. I spent about an hour with this book, and that was approximately 55 minutes too much.
June 13, 2013
I was so disappointed with this book. I love bill maher and think he is brilliant, but the plot was lame, the characters disappointing and I think I got a paper cut from it.
August 21, 2025
More of the usual.
July 20, 2008
I wish I could give this book less than one star. It's truly, truly, a horrible waste of paper. One of the worst books I have ever had the misfortune of opening.
January 24, 2009
Excruciatingly bad. The characters are named (really, they are) Fat, Buck, Chink, Shit and I don't remember the rest. Dreadful.
September 24, 2014
Just not funny.
February 19, 2017
Some good innuendos and chuckles. Lots of big words. Haha!! Absurdly funny! Listened to audiobook of Bill Maher delivering the lines.
March 11, 2018
What the heck? Kind of funny, but what the heck?
April 20, 2020
If you love and have an interest in stand up comedy and the culture surrounding it you'll love this book
August 6, 2020
This review is written writing with complete and unexpected surprise. This book revealed itself to be an enjoyable read. True Story was received as a gift, after requesting it during an adolescent self discovering an enjoyment of political humor for the first time (Blame the W. Bush era). Once that young self read the first few pages they quickly realized a mistake, this book isn't political. True Story barely mentions politics. Which is why through that initial disappointment of not diving into something politically accusatory, as what was expected from Bill Maher, to be the reason that it sat undisturbed on a bookshelf for what is an estimated 15 years. This book was avoided due to immature initial disappointment.That was a mistake. What was discovered was a meaningful read, and example of the various pratfalls of life. The comedy was in the details.
First, this book suffers from two main issues. The first issue being who Bill Maher has become since this book was written in the early 90's, before Politically Incorrect and Real Time. This book lacks a lot of what people know Bill Maher for today, the blunt political commentary. With that in mind several people are going to be turned away from it on that issue alone. Second, this book is horribly marketed. True Story is advertised as a retelling of the lives of comedians during the early days of the 80's comedy boom. Due to such marketing, it is labeled as a straight comedy about comedy. Yet, that is not exactly true.
While reading True Story it became clear that the comedy boom era in New York in which it was heavily advertised was really only a backdrop, something to tie the characters together. Yes, the names of the characters are thus given based on their comedic acts, but that in itself is more of a simple device to avoid blunt descriptions of each character. The ambiguous names, again based on their acts and not to identify them directly, as well as the subtle brief if any physical description of them allows them to be seen or perceived as anyone. More specifically, anyone could be in their various situations told in the book.
True Story is an analysis of immaturity's affect on stereotypical masculine expectations. What is established early in the book, and what continues as a theme throughout, is understanding and experiencing how immature, and possibly pathetic, each character acts and reacts to every situation. Each character really isn't meant to be liked. You could identify with each character, but none of them are likeable as they are each deeply flawed. All of them are incredibly immature and incredibly narcissistic. They try to live by old tropes of what men should be, most of the time fail miserably at achieving those tropes, and even if they do achieve what they believe a man should be they fail to realize why that is not the best thing to aim for. The characters each represent a fragment of masculine immaturity and the book analyzes what happens as each character utterly refuses to grow up. Immaturity spanning from basic and limited sexual instincts which lead to confusing lust for love, unwillingness to work towards a specific goal to achieve a larger ambition, drug use for fun and then failing to have fun, fighting non-issues for an unclear cause, and most of all (the overarching problem) not willing to face problems directly.
What is then the comedy of this book is in the details, not in the situation. The laughter comes while each character progresses over the rough year this book takes place as they follow this path of continued failure perpetuated by immaturity. No character addresses the problems they need to face emotionally or come to an understanding of how to reach their desired goals of "comedy greatness" (whatever that means or represents). Each character does whatever they can to live in a fantasy that allows them to forget their problems rather than addressing them. True story is true, and funny, in the sense that it reveals the pratfalls of living the life stuck as a perpetual child. Even more so, it wonders if anyone really, truly, grows up...
I came to enjoy True Story, more than I ever expected, because beyond the simple comedy it could have offered it offered something a bit more meaningful. True Story offers a glimpse, or representation, of what you as a reader may have done once, why you did it, and why you are where you are now because of it. I wouldn't be surprised if each character is instead a fragment of Maher himself, taken from several situations in his life he got himself into, or experienced from witnessing others, and writing about those situations allowed him to not only analyze the situations for what they were but allow the reader to come to an understanding, maybe even pass judgement on the characters and thus themselves.
Overall, I'd recommend this book. It would have been nice if Maher continue perfecting and pursuing this style of writing.
First, this book suffers from two main issues. The first issue being who Bill Maher has become since this book was written in the early 90's, before Politically Incorrect and Real Time. This book lacks a lot of what people know Bill Maher for today, the blunt political commentary. With that in mind several people are going to be turned away from it on that issue alone. Second, this book is horribly marketed. True Story is advertised as a retelling of the lives of comedians during the early days of the 80's comedy boom. Due to such marketing, it is labeled as a straight comedy about comedy. Yet, that is not exactly true.
While reading True Story it became clear that the comedy boom era in New York in which it was heavily advertised was really only a backdrop, something to tie the characters together. Yes, the names of the characters are thus given based on their comedic acts, but that in itself is more of a simple device to avoid blunt descriptions of each character. The ambiguous names, again based on their acts and not to identify them directly, as well as the subtle brief if any physical description of them allows them to be seen or perceived as anyone. More specifically, anyone could be in their various situations told in the book.
True Story is an analysis of immaturity's affect on stereotypical masculine expectations. What is established early in the book, and what continues as a theme throughout, is understanding and experiencing how immature, and possibly pathetic, each character acts and reacts to every situation. Each character really isn't meant to be liked. You could identify with each character, but none of them are likeable as they are each deeply flawed. All of them are incredibly immature and incredibly narcissistic. They try to live by old tropes of what men should be, most of the time fail miserably at achieving those tropes, and even if they do achieve what they believe a man should be they fail to realize why that is not the best thing to aim for. The characters each represent a fragment of masculine immaturity and the book analyzes what happens as each character utterly refuses to grow up. Immaturity spanning from basic and limited sexual instincts which lead to confusing lust for love, unwillingness to work towards a specific goal to achieve a larger ambition, drug use for fun and then failing to have fun, fighting non-issues for an unclear cause, and most of all (the overarching problem) not willing to face problems directly.
What is then the comedy of this book is in the details, not in the situation. The laughter comes while each character progresses over the rough year this book takes place as they follow this path of continued failure perpetuated by immaturity. No character addresses the problems they need to face emotionally or come to an understanding of how to reach their desired goals of "comedy greatness" (whatever that means or represents). Each character does whatever they can to live in a fantasy that allows them to forget their problems rather than addressing them. True story is true, and funny, in the sense that it reveals the pratfalls of living the life stuck as a perpetual child. Even more so, it wonders if anyone really, truly, grows up...
I came to enjoy True Story, more than I ever expected, because beyond the simple comedy it could have offered it offered something a bit more meaningful. True Story offers a glimpse, or representation, of what you as a reader may have done once, why you did it, and why you are where you are now because of it. I wouldn't be surprised if each character is instead a fragment of Maher himself, taken from several situations in his life he got himself into, or experienced from witnessing others, and writing about those situations allowed him to not only analyze the situations for what they were but allow the reader to come to an understanding, maybe even pass judgement on the characters and thus themselves.
Overall, I'd recommend this book. It would have been nice if Maher continue perfecting and pursuing this style of writing.
April 30, 2020
What a mixed bag of a book - in some ways it’s great, lots of funny bits and a nice mix of real-seeming wildness and comedy club minutiae that feels like it could only have been written by a working comedian. But then it also frequently drags and there’s no real plot to speak of... the five main characters - Buck, Fat, Shit, Chink and Dick - sometimes feel a bit interchangeable but it’s overall a great insight into Stand-Up comedy in the 80s. Whatever its failings as a novel this would make a GREAT tv show, as each chapter feels episodic and only somewhat related to the other chapters, especially with comedy going through another boom right now. It’s surprising this has t been adapted for tv yet... MAKE IT HAPPEN SOMEONE!
January 8, 2022
True Story is Bill Maher's only novel. It follows the lives of 5 different comedians whose real names we never learn. There is no classic narrative, which isn't necessary the problem, but that coupled with the lack of 3 dimensionality in the characters made it a long reading experience. I think with a novel like this, you either latch on or you don't. I didn't. This isn't to say that the book is awful. Maher writes a number of standup bits for the characters and there are a few that I laughed out loud at. There are also a number of goood scenes between men and women that were probably more honest than most people would like to admit. I'd recommend this to hard core Maher fans, but they should know beforehand that this is nothing like his television material.
March 16, 2025
This is no book like this and I don’t think there will be. Bill really captured the essence and spirit of comedians and comedy. The lives they lead and how they tried to navigate through life with their various personalities and philosophies.
It is uncommon to see a comedian write a novel and it’s pretty good, funny and witty. I miss wit in novels, most of it are covered in descriptions and that’s something I will rant about someday, how descriptions can sometimes be like having too many paintings in your bedroom trying to show people you’re into artworks.
This book is a gem. And I’m glad I read it.
It is uncommon to see a comedian write a novel and it’s pretty good, funny and witty. I miss wit in novels, most of it are covered in descriptions and that’s something I will rant about someday, how descriptions can sometimes be like having too many paintings in your bedroom trying to show people you’re into artworks.
This book is a gem. And I’m glad I read it.
November 21, 2025
An interesting look at the mindset and lifestyles of New York comedians that came out of the stand-up comedy boom of the late '70s and early '80s, of which Maher was a part of. The book is funny at times, but given how difficult it is for comedy to "age well", a lot of the humor also falls flat. This is highly recommended for those interested in learning about the history of stand up comedy, as well as Maher fans who want to read something non-political. Just keep in mind that the book was written in 1991, and the language, attitudes, and... well, unfortunate use of slurs reflects that time period.
January 19, 2025
Semi readable, decent, a real mixed bag. I applaud anyone who writes a novel. It is a noble effort. I love Bill Maher, but this book not so much. I read the first half one night; and tried to finish it another night but started skipping sentences, paragraphs, pages, and finally I just couldn't finish. The reasons why are in other reviews so read theirs.
Some good, some awful, a real mixed bag. "IF" you can read the first few chapters and like that writing/joke telling style, then finish the book. It got old and not funny for me quickly.
Some good, some awful, a real mixed bag. "IF" you can read the first few chapters and like that writing/joke telling style, then finish the book. It got old and not funny for me quickly.
November 14, 2021
I finished this book. Reading it was the equivalent of watching paint dry. Disappointing, I wanted to laugh, but never did. The story itself did not make up for the laughter short-comings. Get the coffee ready if you are going to read this one.
May 10, 2024
I enjoyed this book as a glimpse of what a young stand-up may have seen in 1980. I wouldn't recommend it to everyone (my definition of the stars), but if you're a fan of Maher already it's a fun use of your time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2025
we don't talk enough about how Bill Maher wrote a whole book with a character named Ch*nk
(DNFed at 40%, couldn't take the misogyny anymore, even for a book club about how much we hate Bill Maher.)
(DNFed at 40%, couldn't take the misogyny anymore, even for a book club about how much we hate Bill Maher.)
January 31, 2019
This book is very difficult to review. It is smart, insightful, and very funny. But the very racist slurs it contains have not aged well to say the least.
February 22, 2020
Written in the early 1990s, it appears somewhat edgy for it's time. Now seems somewhat dated now but some great comedy bits and ideas.
March 21, 2020
Pretty good! Entertaining
May 1, 2020
Steve Martin and Kevin Hart have written wonderful books on stand up comedy; spare yourself the agony, and read either of those instead.
June 29, 2020
If this was on TV the channel would be changed immediately.
I'm a fan of Bill, but this book wasn't for me.
I'm a fan of Bill, but this book wasn't for me.
July 18, 2020
Written in the early '90's and more about the life of stand-up comedy than politics, Maher is a kick.
May 13, 2022
Bill Maher is a funny guy.
I got most of the jokes and even laughed out loud a few times. His fixation on sex was unnerving. This book was a real one book wonder!
I got most of the jokes and even laughed out loud a few times. His fixation on sex was unnerving. This book was a real one book wonder!
May 21, 2024
For a brief while there, I actually thought this book was going to be funny.
January 10, 2025
Not good, maybe one or two laughs, but that’s it
July 18, 2020
Very clever writing, a bunch of comics, a venue, conflict and comedy, a great book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews