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The Bassoon King
- My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy
- Narrated by: Rainn Wilson
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Entertainment & Celebrities
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Jenna Fischer's Hollywood journey began at the age of 22 when she moved to Los Angeles from her hometown of St. Louis. She was determined, confident, and ready to work hard. So, what could go wrong? Uh, basically everything. The path to being a professional actor was so much more vast and competitive than she’d imagined. It would be eight long years before she landed her iconic role on The Office, nearly a decade of frustration, rejection, and doubt. If only she’d had a handbook for the aspiring actor. Or, better yet, someone to show her the way. Jenna wants to be that person for you.
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Not reading this book would be an epic failure
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GENIUS...!!! TRUST ME...IT'S FOR YOU!!!!
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Hi! I’m Seth! I was asked to describe my audiobook, Yearbook for websites and shit like that, so...here it goes!!! Yearbook is a collection of true stories that I desperately hope are just funny at worst, and life-changingly amazing at best. (I understand that it’s likely the former, which is a fancy “book” way of saying “the first one.”) I talk about my grandparents, doing stand-up comedy as a teenager, bar mitzvahs, and Jewish summer camp, and tell way more stories about doing drugs than my mother would like.
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Perfect listen for any fan of alternative comedy
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Not interesting
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Before Liz Lemon, before Weekend Update, before Sarah Palin, Tina Fey was just a young girl with a dream: A recurring stress dream that she was being chased through a local airport by her middle-school gym teacher. She also had a dream that one day she would be a comedian on TV. She has seen both these dreams come true. At last, Tina Fey's story can be told. From her youthful days as a vicious nerd to her tour of duty on Saturday Night Live. Tina Fey reveals all, and proves what we've always suspected: You're no one until someone calls you bossy.
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funny!
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In Why Not Me? Kaling shares her ongoing journey to find contentment and excitement in her adult life, whether it's falling in love at work, seeking new friendships in lonely places, attempting to be the first person in history to lose weight without any behavior modification whatsoever, or, most important, believing that you have a place in Hollywood when you're constantly reminded that no one looks like you.
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Huge role model!
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Publisher's Summary
Rainn Wilson’s memoir about growing up geeky and finally finding his place in comedy, faith, and life.
For nine seasons Rainn Wilson played Dwight Schrute, everyone's favorite work nemesis and beet farmer. Viewers of The Office fell in love with the character and grew to love the actor who played him even more. Rainn founded a website and media company, SoulPancake, that eventually became a best-selling book of the same name. He also started a hilarious Twitter feed (sample tweet: “I'm not on Facebook” is the new “I don't even own a TV”) that now has more than four million followers.
Now, he's ready to tell his own story and explain how he came up with his incredibly unique sense of humor and perspective on life. He explains how he grew up “bone-numbingly nerdy before there was even a modicum of cool attached to the word”. The Bassoon King chronicles his journey from nerd to drama geek (“the highest rung on the vast, pimply ladder of high school losers”), his years of mild debauchery and struggles as a young actor in New York, his many adventures and insights about The Office, and finally, Wilson's achievement of success and satisfaction, both in his career and spiritually, reconnecting with the artistic and creative values of the Bahá’í faith he grew up in.
What the critics say
"Rainn Wilson narrates his own story with such perfection that the only disappointment is the fact that it ends. The memoir is smart, inspirational, and funny, so the addition of Wilson's performance adds delectable icing to a tasty cake." (AudioFile)
"Quirky, witty, literate." (Washington Post)
"Rainn Wilson's memoir captures essence of his offbeat humor." (Chicago Sun-Times)
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What listeners say about The Bassoon King
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Julie Hurlburt
- 2019-10-03
Great bio told very well
Rainn is a great storyteller and has lived a very interesting life. It was nice to hear about the office (I’m a big office fan) but also about rainns life and journey, his other projects and the baha faith. I never really knew what baha was before and kind of stayed away from churches for obvious reasons but I’m very interested in the faith and will continue to do research. Great read... or listen in this case
1 person found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 2022-03-28
Best book I have listened to in a long time.
An exceptionally written book that takes you through the ups and down of Rainn's life that is both entertaining and new but oddly familiar in the way we see our own lives. Beautifully crafted 5 stars!!
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- Lisa Dahling
- 2022-03-15
Fascinating book
Rainn both writes and reads in the most entertaining way!
Endlessly enjoyable.
I recommend it.
Rainn is a surprising person.
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- John
- 2021-05-23
Art, faith, idiocy add up to a great listen!
Rainn reads wonderfully, and having Dwight Schrute make some appearances is great fun. Always interested to hear about actors' lives and how they get where they are, and land in the roles which "change their lives" as he says. If you expect a tell all about the office, Rainn even tells you which parts to skip to get there. This is more about him, and a really wonderful section about how he used the resources, financial, and his training, along with his wife, Holiday, to make big differences for good and positive action in the world. Huge respect for them for that.
It's a very enjoyable book. With lots of insight from his faith and how he turns those teachings in to action. Also very interesting, without coming on as preaching. Lots to learn from him.
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- Andrea
- 2021-04-10
Laugh cry and think
Rainn Wilson has an exceptional way of blending humour with raw honesty. It’s deeply engaging, and I was sad when it was over.I hope he writes more about life’s big questions because I would love to go along for that ride.
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- RD
- 2021-04-03
A fascinating read
Rainn Wilson has had an incredible life so far. his performance is engaging & entertaining.
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- Sarah Chapman
- 2021-03-04
really great
great narrative obviously,fantastic story and the perfect amount of humor and heart!!
100% recommend if your a Rainn Wilson or Dwight Fan!!
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- Anonymous User
- 2021-01-22
Insane Story
As an Office fan I’ve always loved Rainn Wilson, but I love him even more after hearing his book. His performance is excellent and hilarious, and the stories he tells of his life border on the unbelievable. We get to hear Dwight a few times in the book as well, which was fun. Wilson’s spirituality and altruism is so incredibly inspiring. This book isn’t just for fans of The Office, or even Rain Wilson. This book is for everybody.
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- Shawn Ferguson
- 2020-11-18
Excellent book
I very much enjoyed hearing about his quirky upbringing, pet sloth and getting knocked around while figuring out his path.
The whole narrative on his faith got to be too much for me, but that’s why you have the option to skip ahead.
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- JP
- 2020-07-31
What a beautiful soul
Some people are complaining that he talks about his faith too much, but that’s a big part of his life that he can’t just cut out. After listening to his journey, I think his view on life is lovely and he’s got a genuinely beautiful soul.
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- Johanna
- 2015-11-13
Exquisite narration!
Rainn Wilson is an awesome narrator. You will get the most out of this book by listening to him read it rather than reading it yourself.
I enjoyed Wilson's prose and storytelling. Likewise, he has a unique way of defining spirituality and happiness that is beautiful and understandable--not creepy or weird at all.
I did find a few parts of the book to be somewhat tedious, but overall it's very well written.
As a side note, this book has absolutely nothing to do with the bassoon besides a few funny quips. If you're also a bassoon player like me, let's face it, you're probably going to get this book for Christmas. Luckily, it's worth reading, although Wilson's unfortunate bassoon experience doesn't accurately reflect the joy that I encounter daily from my bassoon students. I suppose any publicity is good publicity, right?
40 people found this helpful
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- kindle
- 2016-01-22
Wonderful
I admit to being a reader and not a TV watcher. I did not have a clue about Rainn Wilson. The reviews were good so I decided to give this book a listen. I am now a big fan of Mr Wilson. Wise, intelligent, spiritual, caring, interesting, very handsome ( I am sure) and of course sooooo very funny. I might even have to hunt down some of the Office series to see what I missed.
25 people found this helpful
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- E F
- 2015-11-12
A poignant, hilarious and sweet story!
Rainn Wilson gives us a well written and hilarious story of his childhood, moves on to his training as an actor, and finally his adulthood where he finds stardom on TV. You will get to hear about the office, but you also get to hear about him as a high school nerd and his belief in God. You can tell how he gives the character of Dwight (in "The Office") such depth, because he has the background in his life to understand how to play him. While parts of the character Dwight are completely ridiculous, you can see a very sad and real person underneath, which is part of what made him so funny. If you liked Dwight, you will love listening to the man brought him to life. Even if you didn't like the Office, there is a lot to like in this book!
20 people found this helpful
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- Shakespeare Fan
- 2016-01-23
Yes, you'll love it.
Anyone who is: a fan of The Office, a nerd, an actor who has struggled with rejection, an artist who struggles with her faith, a lover of punk rock, a person who likes well written and honest biographies, a believer in love and God, or self conscious of his overly large head should absolutely read The Bassoon King by Rainn Wilson. (Actually, listen to it and hear his voice through his actual voice.) I loved every second of it.
9 people found this helpful
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- Daniel E
- 2016-02-09
Read this book, idiot.
As an avid fan of NBC's Colt classic hit the office, and a casual dabbler and soul pancake, I was delighted and inspired by Wilson's book the Bassoon King. It will take the same single moment to at once inspire you, intrigue you and have you bursting out in unexpected laughter. TBK gave me a much deeper appreciation of Wilson's acting work, which made me love the characters he brought to life even more. Finally, I was profoundly touched by the fervent and refreshing spirituality in every section. Wilson finds a charming way to be both cosmically wise and wittingly down to earth. Highly recommend.
8 people found this helpful
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- RaNae
- 2016-02-18
If you have an open heart and mind you will enjoy this book
I appreciate Rainn for sharing his life and faith. I learned that he is very intellectual, I am not sure why that surprised me, but I am grateful to have a better understanding of him and his religion. I can identify with some of the things that happened in his past but he never allowed his geeky awareness, bullying and hard times to stop him from achieving his dream. He was so lucky (and we are to) to have been told that he could be could be successful and always remember it with all the hard times he had. I didn't watch the Office, I guess because I worked in one all day I didn't want to watch it in my free time. After listening to this book, I think I will catch it on Netflix. I did love Backstrom and wish it was not canceled. Awesome insight into an incredible man and human being.
7 people found this helpful
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- Manuela
- 2016-02-23
Excellent and funny
I have been a big Rainn fan since I started watching the office and more so with Soulpancake. This is an excellent memoir where he gives all of the ups and downs of his life while making them all laugh out loud funny (I got of odd looks while listening to this one.). He does speak of his time on The Office and the inspiration to Dwight near the end of the book but the story is about his development and finding himself. Biographies are my favorite stories and this one doesn't disappoint.
6 people found this helpful
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- Bunny Mama
- 2016-02-23
Interesting and Touching
I don't typically read biographies or autobiographies, but I've always felt that Rainn Wilson and I are kindred spirits, so I thought I would give this one a try. I'm glad I did. It is funny, heart-warming, insightful, and inspirational. I love that Rainn narrated the book himself, and he did an exceptional job. I learned a lot, and my belief that we are kindred spirits was confirmed!
5 people found this helpful
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- Kujo
- 2015-12-03
Rainn is refreshing!
I am somewhat surprised by how much I actually enjoyed this book. I suppose I was expecting a bunch of tales about how Rainn Wilson was just like Dwight Schrute or something. However, Rainn's insights about life and faith had me chuckling to myself quite often, while looking forward to hearing what came next. I was also surprised to find out that we are quite close in age and that many of his adolescent experiences were experiences I myself had. I was also interested to discover that many of my outlooks and thoughts about things were extremely on par with Mr. Wilson's musings. After finishing this book Rainn Wilson is truly someone I would love to sit down and have a discussion with over lunch (true shushi only, of course)! Nice job Rainn, thanks! Kurt
4 people found this helpful
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- John
- 2015-12-06
wanted it to be better...
There were definitely parts that were what I expected (actually, I don't know what I expected) but other parts were just WAY too preachy. I appreciate the adherence to faith and the desire to extol its virtues and while I agree with the sentiment I just wanted it to be a little more about his relationships with people I would actually know and a little less artsy fartsy. But, it is a memoir so to each his own.
12 people found this helpful