Need to Lighten Up? “Big Dumb Eyes” Can Help
I’ve been a fan of Nate Bargatze for awhile—a clean comic with big eyes and a slow Southern drawl.
Photo: Terry Wyatt, Getty Images for the Michael J. Fox Foundation
So when I saw he’d written a book (and narrated it himself), I was excited.
But curious. Because as Nate admits at the beginning of his book, Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind, he doesn’t even like to read books:
“You might be a little nervous opening these pages, because I am very on the record about not liking to read books. How it never lets up, and there’s just more and more words until it’s like, ‘What are you talking about? Please, just make it stop.’”
So to make it easier on his readers, Nate includes a few blank pages in his book every few chapters or so:
“. . .to help you keep your head above water, just in case you’re crazy enough to read the book from front to back, which I don’t even know if that’s allowed. And I promise you there will not be lots of big words, because—I’m sorry, “’cause”—I don’t like them.”
I listened to the audiobook, so for the section of blank pages, he’d substitute about 30 seconds of elevator music. Even that was funny.
What Makes This Audiobook Work
I admit I usually don’t want authors to read their own books. I love professional readers who are articulate and change voices seamlessly for each character.
But for this book, I wanted to hear Nate reading it himself. His comedic timing and inflection bring the stories to life. Because I’m also from the south like Nate is, I had no problem understanding his accent. (If you’re not from down here, though, I won’t promise the same for you.)
“Take any word that you say, and I probably say it different. Like ‘boil’ is really ‘bowl.’ Though come to think of it, I don’t think ‘boil’ is actually in the book. But I do bowl. Whatever. Just read it in my voice and you’ll have way more fun.
If you haven’t actually heard my voice before, I talk slow. It doesn’t feel slow to me. But you are not me. And I am not you.”
I didn’t always laugh out loud the way I do during his stand-up, but I was well-entertained and amused by Nate’s stories about growing up and growing into a comedian.
Should You Read/Listen to It, Too?
I recommend it for you if you’re overwhelmed by life, if you’re in need of an easy listen, or if you simply want a funny book. I used it as a great palate cleanser after stressful days of heavy news in the world.
If you make it to the end of the book, Nate will offer you a heartfelt congratulations. And if you read it all in one sitting, he’ll give you this gentle admonition:
“You should probably move around some more. Or sprinkle in some other healthier activities, like watching TV.”
Want a Preview of Nate?
Big Dumb Eyes is not a literary masterpiece—it’s not meant to be that. It’s Nate Bargatze being himself, in his own hilarious, self-deprecating way.
And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
If you’ve never seen or heard Nate, watch this 1-minute video of him unboxing his book and apologizing for making you read a book he wrote.
Are you a Nate fan, too? Share your thoughts in the comments.
My thanks to NetGalley and Hachette
Audio for the recording of this book
This sounds like fun. I’ve only recently “discovered” Nate. I don’t think I have seen a whole routine–mainly just a few reels on Instagram.
I think you would really like him, Barbara. I only found him about a year ago myself. He’s from Tennessee so you will likely relate to his southern humor too. 🙂
This is a definite purchase for me as a huge Nate fan. I think his “Big Dumb Eyes” is the perfect reading choice for me currently. (I’ll choose audio too because I love to hear his voice.)
Thanks for the recommendation!
I hope you’ll enjoy the audiobook too, Angela. You won’t have any trouble with his accent either; he could have come straight from Alabama. 🙂 Amidst all your hard things, Nate’s stories might be a welcome break.
I’ve never heard of Nate before, Lisa, and I’m so very glad you introduced us to him here. We all need to lighten up, and this sounds like the perfect book of fun. Thanks!
I think you’d like him too, Martha. He’s a comedian that you can listen to with the whole family.
Hi, Lisa – Thank you for introducing me to Nate. I am off to check out more of his videos.
Hope you find some good ones, Donna! He has a self-deprecating style of humor that is funny.
I love Nate Bargatze SO MUCH! I knew he wrote a book, but I agree with you–I’d rather hear his voice reading it! I rarely (if ever) listen to books because I prefer to read, so I’d never even thought about the fact that I could LISTEN to this one!! Now I need to go do it… Thanks for the fun and enlightening post. 🙂 Can’t wait! Visiting from the Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.
I’m glad you’re a fellow Nate fan, Jennifer! I’m with you–I’d much rather read a book than listen to one. But this one is an exception. 🙂 The only negative was he kept referring to the photos, which supposedly you can get as a PDF if you buy the audiobook. But because I got the recording as a review copy, I didn’t get the PDF. I had to use my imagination for the photos. ha.
sounds fun and refreshing and a nice change of pace from the way too serious stuff I normally read. Thanks for the suggestion!!
Yep, you and I both tend toward heavier material so finding something lighter like this was a lift I needed! 🙂
I really like Nate, Lisa! I didn’t know he had written a book, so thanks for letting me know. And I think I’ll opt for the audiobook as I think I would prefer his humor in his voice.
Yes, this one just felt like it needed to be heard rather than just read, but I’m sure if I had just read it, I would have still “heard” Nate’s voice anyway. 🙂 Glad you like him too!
My husband showed me one of Nate’s shows a while ago. I really appreciate his delivery, Southern jokes, and clean comedy. I bet this audio book is hilarious hearing him read it.
Like me, you wouldn’t have any trouble understanding Nate either, Ashley. lol. Even though he’s from Tennessee instead of Alabama, we sound a lot alike. I got tickled at him explaining the pronunciation of words.