Free-Range Chickens

by Simon Rich

Book Overview

After a riotous debut collection, Ant Farm , Simon Rich returns to mine more comedy from our hopelessly terrifying world. In the nostalgic opening chapter, Rich recalls his fear of the Tooth Fairy... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1400065895
• ISBN13: 9781400065899
• Release Date: August 2008
• Publisher: Random House (NY)
• Length: 129 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.3" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Kindling Fodder

Don't be thrown by the high ratio of negative reviews for FREE-RANGE CHICKENS. As many readers point out, the book was a free addition to their Kindle purchase, so they went "into" the book cold. As for me, my only real complaint is that the book has far too many blank pages (about 16) in an already slender volume. But will YOU like Simon Rich's humor? Here's your acid test: Read the following excerpt, and if it tickles you, you're in. *** GOD: Did you start that war over in South America? ANGEL: Yes sir, just as you specified. GOD: And you gave Fred Hodges that migraine? In Fayette, Maine? ANGEL: Of course, I followed all your orders to the letter. GOD: Okay, great. So the next part of my grand sweeping plan is... the next part is... um... ANGEL: Yes? GOD: Wait, hold on... I know I was going somewhere with this... ANGEL: . . . GOD: It's the [darndest] thing. I had this giant, all-encompassing plan, but I can't for the life of me remember what it was. ANGEL: Did you... write it down somewhere? GOD: Nah. It was all up here. (Points at head.) ANGEL: Well... maybe if I say some of the things that you've done so far, you'll remember? GOD: That's a good idea. Let's try that. ANGEL: Okay... um... assassination of Julius Caesar... the great San Francisco fire... World War I... World War II... is anything coming back? GOD: I know all those things are connected somehow.... they were all part of this awesome plan I had... I just can't remember what the payoff was. ANGEL: . . . GOD: I guess I bit off more than I could chew.

ok, the part about the cops and what his mother thinks the cops are like

was so hilarious. i mean I had to put the book down and wipe my tears, make my wife stop what she was doing (she's a cop!) to read it to her. Look, this book is not designed to change your life it's a short lovely laugh fest. But take heart dear Mr Rich.. everything isn't for everybody.

Great read, unique voice

A book of short stories and sketch comedy wrapped up into one book that you won't want to put down. Once I started reading it on my Kindle I didn't shut it off until I was done. Simon Rich's voice is something I can relate to, many of his stories have a familiar tone to experiences I've had or thought about at one point in my life. Highly recommended read and I'll be looking into other books by Rich.

Brief but Enjoyable

To a certain extent, Free Range Chickens is observational humor with a kick. It reminds me of what I find to be funny in Futurama. There isn't a story line here, but rather a collection of dialogues and chains of thought. If you've studied much philosophy, I think you'll have several laugh-out-loud moments, plus a good deal of laughing to yourself. I didn't find the language to be particularly offensive, but there was a section about God that might leave a strict fundamentalist cold.

Twas a good read, helped jump-start my sagging mood

Tis an amusing collection of short and pointed witticisms on a veritable plethora of subjects. I especially enjoyed section V. Rich's work is particularly suitable for times when one hungers for insights intertwined with laughs. The only downside to the book is its extreme brevity, I finished it in about 30 minutes(give or take). Than again, I really shouldnt be complaining since I received the kindle version for $0.00 Five stars * * * * *