Lizz Free or Die, Lizz Winstead
Lizz Free or Die, Lizz Winstead
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Lizz Free or Die
Essays

Author: Lizz Winstead

Narrator: Lizz Winstead

Unabridged: 8 hr 5 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 05/10/2012


Synopsis

Lizz Winstead, co-creator of The Daily Show and one of today's most hilarious comedians and insightful social critics, pens a brilliant account of how she discovered her comedic voice.

In this collection of autobiographical essays, Winstead vividly recounts how she fought to find her own voice, both as a comedian and as a woman, and how humor became her most powerful weapon in confronting life's challenges.

Growing up in the Midwest, the youngest child of conservative Catholic parents, Winstead learned early in her life that the straightforward questions she posed to various authority figures around her-her parents, her parish priest, even an anti-abortion counselor -prompted many startled looks and uncomfortable silences, but few answers. Her questions rattled people because they exposed the inconsistencies and hypocrisies in the people and institutions she confronted. Yet she didn't let that stop her from pursuing her dreams.

Funny and biting, honest and poignant, this no-holds-barred collection gives an in-depth look into the life of one of today's most influential comic voices. In writing about her childhood longing to be a priest, her role in developing The Daily Show, and of her often problematic habit of diving into everything head first, asking questions later (resulting in multiple rescue-dog adoptions and travel disasters), Lizz Winstead has tapped an outrageous and heartfelt vein of the all-too-human comedy.

About The Author

Lizz Winstead is the author of Lizz Free Or Die: Essays, which Sarah Silverman described as a “hilarious collection of very personal essays (that) somehow leaves you changed. You laugh, and yet there are nutrients in her words.” Winstead is the cocreator and former head writer of The Daily Show and one of the founders of Air America Radio. A performer and stand-up comedian, she frequently appears on MSNBC, CNN, and Comedy Central. She lives in Brooklyn. Learn more at lizzwinstead.com or follow her on twitter @lizzwinstead.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Melody on July 11, 2013

I picked this up solely because I have a friend who spells her name Lizz, and I thought it would be fun to tell her I was reading this. Imagine my surprise when I found Winstead to be fascinating. I liked reading her story. She grew up around the same time I did, though her Catholic upbringing was f......more

Goodreads review by Doreen on July 02, 2012

The descriptions are misleading: this book is not hilarious. It has its moments of humor but nothing in it made me burst out laughing (though, FWIW, I don't laugh at Seinfeld either.) I have the feeling Lizz Winstead's humor lies flat on the page and needs her delivery to really sell it. Fortunately......more

Goodreads review by Darlene on December 03, 2014

Like Rachel Maddow and Jon Steward? Read/listen to Lizz Free or Die to find out how they all relate. I remember seeing Lizz on Rachel's show and on Melissa Harris-Perry when she was promoting her book. But I remember seeing her stand up for feminism and abortion and rights for everyone. I loved her......more

Goodreads review by Luke on January 24, 2014

Memoirs are a funny experiment right off the bat. You have to allow yourself a certain level of ego to sit down and think, “I’m gonna write a book all about me. Then people are going to buy because I am just that interesting.” It’s not the easiest of steps to take, believe me, I’ve actually written......more

Goodreads review by Carrie on June 09, 2012

Lizz Free or Die is a collection of personal 'messays' written by Lizz Winstead, an American comedienne, radio and television personality, and co-creator of The Daily Show. Lizz writes about growing up in a Catholic family in Minnesota; some of her stories such as Get Me To The Altar and Decorate to......more


Quotes

“Sharply witty and iconoclastic.”—Elle 

“Searching and lively … and moving. … Ms. Winstead writes with a feel for the sound of words.” – The New York Times

“Engaging…Winstead proves that she’s got a writer’s touch.”—Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Charming… with insight and understated humor.”—Mother Jones

“[An] indelible, hilarious, often poignant romp.”—American Way

“Political satirist and stand-up comedian Winstead… [is] shrewdly observant, linguistically adept, bravely soul-baring, and caustically smart.”—Booklist

“Funny, thoughtful… recommended.”—Library Journal

“With this book, Lizz Winstead takes us on a hilarious, honest, moving and insightful journey. It is the journey of a funny, fearless woman as she finds her voice and shares it with the world.”
—Arianna Huffington

“Reading Lizz Winstead's hilarious collection of very personal essays somehow leaves you changed.  You laugh, and yet there are nutrients in her words.”
—Sarah Silverman

“Lizz Winstead has written a fantastically readable collection. I really did laugh, and then, I really did cry.  Most important, though, I found someone I can leave my dogs with, should I have to flee the country.”
– Julie Klam

"Lizz Free or Die is brilliantly funny and razor sharp. Lizz Winstead observes our times with candor, hope and a gimlet eye. She is a national treasure."
--Adriana Trigiani

"Reading Winstead is like hanging out with Winstead: invigorating, infuriating, and hilarious." 
-- Patton Oswalt