The Big Bad Book of Bill Murray

A Critical Appreciation of the World's Finest Actor

By: Robert Schnakenberg

Narrated by: Johnny Heller

The man. The movies. The life. The legend. He's played a deranged groundskeeper, a bellowing lounge singer, a paranormal exterminator, and a grouchy weatherman. He is William James "Bill" Murray, America's greatest national treasure. From his childhood lugging golf bags at a country club to his first taste of success on Saturday Night Live, from his starring roles in Hollywood blockbusters to his reinvention as a hipster icon for the 21st century, The Big Bad Book of Bill Murray chronicles every aspect of his extraordinary life and career. He's the sort of actor who can do Hamlet and Charlie's Angels in the same year. He shuns managers and agents, and he once agreed to voice the lead in Garfield because he mistakenly believed it was a Coen Brothers film. He's famous for crashing house parties all over New York City - and if he keeps photobombing random strangers, he might just break the Internet. Part biography, part critical appreciation, part love letter, and all fun, this enormous volume chronicles every Murray performance in loving detail, recounting all the milestones, legendary "Murray stories", and controversies in the life of this enigmatic performer.

©2015 Robert Schnakenberg (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"This resoundingly successful work offers a unique approach to an unapproachable figure." ( Library Journal starred review)

Very nice compilation of Bill Murray work

I really like that it's all put together in one document, but I wish they had arranged it chronologically… It is set up like an encyclopedia. Because of that, the audiobook jumps around from the 70s to the 90s to the 80s to the 2000 throughout the recording.

Funny

insight into the man who has made us laugh since his time on SNL.
Interesting hearing how he was past by for roles and roles he passed on.
also how closed off he is.
biggest draw back is book is longer than needed because some stories are repeated.

not a good audiobook

I believe this book works better in prints. As I've only heard The audiobook I can't be 100% sure but I will seek it out in my local bookstore and completely make up my mind then.

An A-Z with no narrative but still a Nice listen

Factoids and stories organized semi-randomly according to the alphabet. Surprised at how much I enjoyed it.

Only axe to grind is the narrator embarrassingly mangling every singe foreign name or term in an effort to… I don’t know what. If you don’t know how it’s pronounced in France or Sweden, just say it in your own accent already.

Apart from that good narration and relaxing listen for chores and the commute

a bunch of information thrown into a blender.

a bunch of information thrown into a blender.
the book was all over the place.
Could not finish it.