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Author | Tina Fey |
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Audio read by | Tina Fey |
Language | English |
Genre | Autobiography |
Publisher | Little, Brown and Company |
Publication date | April 5, 2011 |
Publication place | United States |
Media type | |
Pages | 277 |
ISBN | 0-316-05686-3 |
LC Class | PN2287.F4255 A3 2011 |
Bossypants is an autobiographical comedy book written by the American comedian Tina Fey. [1] [2] [3] The book topped The New York Times Best Seller list, and stayed there for five weeks upon its release. [4] As of November 2014, the book has sold over 2.5 million copies since its debut, according to Nielsen BookScan. [5] Additionally, Fey's Grammy nominated narration of the audiobook has sold over 150,000 copies on Audible.com. [6] A paperback reprint edition was released in January 2012, from Reagan Arthur Books, an imprint of Little, Brown. The front cover, photographed by Ruvén Afanador, [7] features hand model and actor Joe Rosario.
In 2008, the prospect of a Tina Fey book was reportedly the subject of a bidding war among publishers, which led to an advance of $6 million. [8] As part of her deal with Little, Brown & Co., a gift was made to the New York-based Books for Kids Foundation. [9]
Janet Maslin for The New York Times calls Bossypants "a spiky blend of humor, introspection, critical thinking and Nora Ephron-isms for a new generation." [1] Katie Roiphe for Slate is favorable toward the humor in Bossypants, especially how Fey wields jokes as a personal display of power. [10] The book was also praised by Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times , who wrote, "...any concern that Fey, like so many before her, has been ruined by fame is quickly dispelled by Bossypants, a book that reminds you why Fey has succeeded where so many have failed — because she is precise, professional and hilarious." [11] Ellen Wernecke of The A.V. Club similarly said of Fey, "The artistry of her autobiography-turned-polemic raises the bar for every comedian who dares put cursor to Word doc." [12]
It received a more mixed review from Carole Cadwalladr of The Observer , however, who opined, "There's lots to enjoy, particularly if you are, as I am, a Tina Fey fan girl. It's just the bookiness of it. Fey is out of her genre, and it shows: it takes an age to get going, and it's less like prose non-fiction than a sketch comedy in book form, with a disproportionate number of one-liners, not all of which work." [13]