Digging Up Mother

A Love Story

By: Johnny Depp - foreword, Doug Stanhope

Narrated by: Doug Stanhope and Friends

Doug Stanhope is one of the most critically acclaimed and stridently unrepentant comedians of his generation. What will surprise some is that he owes so much of his dark and sometimes uncomfortably honest sense of humor to his mother, Bonnie. It was the cartoons in HER Hustler magazine issues that molded the beginnings of his comedic journey, long before he was old enough to know what to do with the actual pornography. It was Bonnie who recited Monty Python sketches with him, who introduced him to Richard Pryor at nine years old, and who rescued him from a psychologist when he brought that brand of humor to school. And it was Bonnie who took him along to all of her AA meetings, where Doug undoubtedly found inspiration for his own storytelling.

Bonnie's own journey from bartending to truck driving, massage therapy, elder abuse, and stand-up comedy and acting never stopped her from being Doug's genuine number one fan. So when Bonnie's alcoholic, hoarding life finally came to an end so many weird adventures later in rural Arizona, it was inevitable that Doug and Bonnie would be together for one last journey.

Digging Up Mother follows Doug's absurd, chaotic, and often obscene life as it intersects with that of his best friend, his biggest fan, and the love of his life: his mother, Bonnie. And it all starts with her death - one of the most memorable and amazing farewells you will ever hear.

BONUS: As fans of his stand-up and listeners of his podcast will attest, Doug is not a "by-the-book" type of guy. This audiobook is no exception. In what he refers to as the "director's cut commentary," Doug forgoes the confines of a straight-read and creates a truly unique listening experience, going off-script to riff throughout its sections and bringing in a cast of colorful characters – childhood friends, his podcast co-host, and fellow comedians and musicians – to voice letters from teachers and guidance counselors, diary entries from his mother, and even old homework assignments. Additionally, Doug has several of the folks mentioned in the book expound on and give their version of events and stories, often remembered quite differently. The result is a wildly fun audiobook that's as distinct as the comedian's own brand of humor.

A special note from the author:

Good news for all my blind and/or illiterate fans! The audio version of my book Digging Up Mother is now available on Audible!

It's read podcast-style by myself and the golden-throated Chad Shank and features guest performances from those who appeared in the book, dropping in to share their own blurred memories of our sloppy pasts and ugliest stories. Guests include my childhood delinquent partner in crime Chris O'Conner, and Greg Chaille, Bingo, Mat Becker, Sarah Hyland (now Sarah HylanDER) and more.

©2016 Doug Stanhope; Foreword copyright 2016 by Johnny Depp (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

This made me like him

I wasn't a fan but now can't get enough. Doug reads the book so well and I really appreciate all of the commentary throughout!

A bit misleading...

While this book is an incredible read, I found the title to be a bit misleading. You see, my own mother died 2 weeks ago. We were very close, and her death has drug me down into unimaginable fits of depression. So distraught that I've been looking for some way to bring her back to the realm of the living.

Yeah, like that Pet Sematary movie but without all the kids. If that movie isn't an advertisement for birth control, I don't know what is. You got one kid whining about nightmares and the other dunce chases a kit into the path of an 18-wheeler then tried to kill his parents when he's brought back to life, the ungrateful so-and-so.

Anyway, back on topic, I bought this book thinking it was a how to guide to exhume a grave. Boy was I wrong. After the 12 hour listen, I still didn't know how to dig my surly decaying mother out of the ground, but I did learn a lesson in comedy and love. Did I get what I wanted? No, but it's kinda like finding $500 surprise dollars in a second hand book, you still walk away happy.

laughing, crying, but mostly laughing !!!

if you are at all a fan of Doug Stanhope's comedy this audiobook is for you. I have had arguments in the past with people telling me audiobooks are cheating and you won't have the same experience as if you read it... I point them to this book as an example of an audiobook being far better that the paper book. Doug made this audiobook unlike any other in the Doug stanhope tradition of saying fuck the rules of how to read this I'm doing it my way! and I am so glad he did!

Listen now!

Two words STAN-hope!! Listen now!! Get it and laugh, much funnier than reading because of side bars and actual people playing themselves!

Snapshot of bygone era

I agree with every rave review of the narration and format.
One thing that really impressed me, though, is how he captured the final generation of kids who weren't medicated for being mischievous (miscreants might be more accurate) and trying to scam an adult into buying a six pack for you and your friends wasn't a capital offense. Really great work.

Chad Shank fekkin killed it

First off this is my dads account. Orman wont like this.

Digging Up Mother was a wonderful book, i took it with me into a chemical detox/psych hospital and had to tear the hardback cover off(listen to Dougs podcast 151 at 45:45).

I had a bad time coming off benzo downer anxiety meds in there but i made some friends including one of Roger Waters children who was kinda my rehab girlfriend as she said... We all loved reading passages from the book before she got bombarded by mentally ill(she was the only hot chick in the facility)

This audiobook let me relive my rehab experience thanks Doug! Dougs okay at reading but Shank killed it.

Way to go Chad Shank

Best audio book AWESOME!!!

Would you listen to Digging Up Mother again? Why?

Yes....
I enjoy Doug's humor and find his trials in life real.

What other book might you compare Digging Up Mother to and why?

I enjoy comedy all types from clean to what the suites would say "bad taste". I would have to say Professional Idiot or Life of the Party. I can relate with the authors in life and growing up in the 70's. They all seem like dudes I could party with and keep shit real.

Which character – as performed by Doug Stanhope and Friends – was your favorite?

All were excellent but of course Doug. I like how he put this out in audio. Made it more personal and true to life.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Would have liked to listen to it in one sitting but work and life forced me to listen to it in a few sittings.

Any additional comments?

If you like comedy and a good listen this is for you. True to Doug's comedy and real life. If you get offended easy and live life political correct.... You are a pussy and should listen to this audio anyway. You might pull your head out and see what life is all about!!!

Good campfire listen.

Makes me want to apologize to my mom for being such a fuck up, Damngoodlisten.

Waiting for his next masterpiece. ...

I had so much fun listening to this Audiobook. Its the perfect read while drifting off.

Everything I was expecting and more

As hilarious as it was sweet and fucked up in ways that none do as effectively as Doug Stanhope. I've seen him live a few years back and those opportunities don't happen too often in Arkansas. So much worth it.