BOOK REVIEW: Kevin Smith – Tough Shit: Life Advice from a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good (2012)

Shane | 5 June 2015 | Reply

BOOK REVIEW: Kevin Smith – Tough Shit: Life Advice from a Fat, Lazy Slob Who Did Good (2012)
Written by Kevin Smith
Reviewed by Shayne McGowan
9/10

I have to start this by saying that I think Kevin Smith is brilliant. I could watch, read or listen to anything the man is involved in, and I do… In fact, as I write this, I’m currently experiencing peak levels of excitement for the fact that Kev is bringing his spoken word show back to Australia, and I will most definitely be getting me some tickets!

I have just finished reading Tough Shit, and I found it thoroughly enjoyable. This is not a Kevin Smith biography. This is Kevin Smith sharing stories from his life, and little snippets of advice, in his own way, that may or may not help you get through similar situations.

When I say in his own way, I mean it. Kevin Smith has a very honest and open approach to his stories. He’ll tell you in detail how much he loves his wife, and he’ll go in to even further detail about certain parts of her that he loves, he’ll tell you in detail about the humiliation he suffered when being kicked off a plane, and he’ll tell you in detail about his experiences as a film maker, live speaker and podcaster.

The chapters about Red State are well worth the read alone, and may go a long way to change your mind about Kevin Smith as a film maker. If you’ve ever written him off as a foul mouthed, one trick pony, you really need to explore his filmography a little more, and see the depth that he is actually able to create. Not to mention the fact that he is such an innovator of both film making and the distribution of the finished product. The stories within this book help to shed light on exactly that.

Sure, he likes to say fuck, but don’t we all? The fact of the matter is, that Kevin Smith is actually extremely intelligent, and a very passionate family man and film maker. He’s not afraid to put his entire life out there for anybody willing to listen or read, and the courage that that takes is immeasurable.

When the time comes for Kevin to write his biography, I think it will possibly be the biggest book ever written, because for the guy that played Silent Bob, he doesn’t know how to shut up, and I hope he never does!

I found Tough Shit to be a very enjoyable read, and I think that long-time fans, entry level fans, and non-fans alike will also find something to enjoy about the book.