The Tao of Bill Murray

Starred review from August 22, 2016
Fans of actor and comedian Bill Murray have likely heard of the star's habit of randomly showing up in the most unexpected places, only to vanish just as quickly. Rolling Stone contributing editor Edwards (Last Night at the Viper Room: River Phoenix and the Hollywood He Left Behind) investigates this and the star's other off-kilter antics and the philosophy behind them. Edwards does an admirable job of profiling Murray's unique approach to life, friendship, and work, via interviews with the actor himself as well as friends, collaborators, and those acquaintances. The book is bursting with anecdotes that underline Murray's unconventional and fun-loving life: he's commandeered a street cleaner, crashed an off-campus house party and started doing the dishes, and driven a cab while the cabby practiced playing saxophone in the back seat. Edwards provides a rough biographical sketch of Murray, but excels far more in his assessments of Murray's films, which comprise the final third of the book. Murray's fans are sure to savor this book and walk away with a deeper appreciation of the actor and his work.

August 1, 2016

Bill Murray the actor takes a backseat to Murray the trickster figure in this collection of notable, implausible, even inexplicable offscreen appearances. Whether it's crashing a karaoke party, photobombing engagement pics, or covering a stranger's eyes and asking, "Guess who?" Murray comes across as a man set on adding a surreal moment to people's lives before saying, "no one will ever believe you," and walking away. Is there a method to Murray's madness? Edwards (Last Night at the Viper Room) posits ten principles comprising the tao of Murray such as "invite yourself to the party" and "your spirit will follow your body." Each tenet is backed by firsthand accounts and interviews, making for a hilarious read--occasionally heartwarming, sometimes head-scratching. It's easy to find Murray stories, but the author's attempt to make sense of them adds a new dimension. His access to celebrities (including an interview with Murray himself) strengthens this work, which concludes with a 100-page retrospective of the subject's movies with anecdotes from each one. VERDICT Sure to please Murray fans, this book would do well as a companion to Robert Schnakenberg's The Big Bad Book of Bill Murray.--Terry Bosky, Madison, WI

Copyright 2016 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2016
A personal philosophy based on Bill Murrays well-publicized high jinks, pranks, and exploits.There are countless urban legends about Murray, including stories of him crashing karaoke rooms, a kickball game, and a couples engagement photos. (All true.) There are also stories of Murray putting his hands over the eyes of unsuspecting strangers while saying Guess who? only for him to end the brief encounter with the rejoinder, No one will ever believe you. (Also true.) Based on innumerable tales like these and others, notwithstanding his career as one of the most beloved actors of his generation, Murray has carefully crafted a reputation for himself as our culturally appointed jester-in-chief. However, there is a somewhat serious philosophical foundation to Murrays antics. As author and journalist Edwards (Last Night at the Viper Room: River Phoenix and the Hollywood He Left Behind, 2013, etc.) explains in his funny, affectionate portrait, Murrays seemingly nonchalant attitude and inability to take anything seriously is rooted in his sincere desire to make the most of life. Through 10 principles outlined by the author, the underlying tenet to Murrays philosophy reveals itself to be a kind of existentialist/Zen mashup that preaches a heightened awareness of the present. The key to Murrays philosophy is that it is not self-serving. Though he has become known for his carefree antics almost as much as for his acting roles, he does them out of earnest playfulness. Murray is not always the genial clown, as many collaborators have witnessed his attitude turn abrasive and acerbic. Edwards skillfully weaves together many well-known and entirely new anecdotes from throughout Murrays career that capture him at the height of his power. Murray is an endless delight, and his knack for bons mots and non sequiturs will keep readers laughing before revealing an unexpectedly poignant vision for happiness. The author also provides a rundown of Murrays major films for reference. A fun and revealing look behind the charm and mythos of Bill Murray that will only strengthen his legend.

COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

A personal philosophy based on Bill Murray's well-publicized high jinks, pranks, and exploits.There are countless urban legends about Murray, including stories of him crashing karaoke rooms, a kickball game, and a couple's engagement photos. (All true.) There are also stories of Murray putting his hands over the eyes of unsuspecting strangers while saying "Guess who?" only for him to end the brief encounter with the rejoinder, "No one will ever believe you." (Also true.) Based on innumerable tales like these and others, notwithstanding his career as one of the most beloved actors of his generation, Murray has carefully crafted a reputation for himself as our culturally appointed jester-in-chief. However, there is a somewhat serious philosophical foundation to Murray's antics. As author and journalist Edwards (Last Night at the Viper Room: River Phoenix and the Hollywood He Left Behind, 2013, etc.) explains in his funny, affectionate portrait, Murray's seemingly nonchalant attitude and inability to take anything seriously is rooted in his sincere desire to make the most of life. Through 10 principles outlined by the author, the underlying tenet to Murray's "philosophy" reveals itself to be a kind of existentialist/Zen mashup that preaches a heightened awareness of the present. The key to Murray's philosophy is that it is not self-serving. Though he has become known for his carefree antics almost as much as for his acting roles, he does them out of earnest playfulness. Murray is not always the genial clown, as many collaborators have witnessed his attitude turn abrasive and acerbic. Edwards skillfully weaves together many well-known and entirely new anecdotes from throughout Murray's career that capture him at the height of his power. Murray is an endless delight, and his knack for bons mots and non sequiturs will keep readers laughing before revealing an unexpectedly poignant vision for happiness. The author also provides a rundown of Murray's major films for reference. A fun and revealing look behind the charm and mythos of Bill Murray that will only strengthen his legend. COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.