22 reviews for:

Pryor Convictions: and Other Life Sentences

Richard Pryor

3.94 AVERAGE

daveisreading's review

4.0

Greatest comedian of all-time and this is the best and only autobiography by him, obviously. The comedy nerd in me wishes he would actually talk about his process like Steve Martin does. Pryor doesn't mention at all working new material or his struggles being funny. You get the sense that he just WAS more than anyone else. Perhaps this was intentional. But I always wonder how much he prepared for his later specials besides working The Comedy Store. I think it's either for the 'Live' or 'Live on the Sunset Strip' special that he admits that the first of the two tapings was terrible.

Anyways, greatest comedian ever (wait, this is supposed to be about books).

mickguire's review against another edition

2.0

Pryor is of an era, I suppose. I couldn't finish it.

dustincholden's review

dark emotional funny informative inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0

I was surprised by Pryor’s wild life choices. Still there was a lot to relate to and take away from his experience. Excellent read (but not for those who are easily offended as it explicit).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Classism

booksandbevys13's review against another edition

dark informative reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

mittland's review

4.0

im a huge richard pryor fan. this is a recent discovery, i never saw any of his movies growing up and im not a comedy aficionado in the way some people are, seeking out old comedy records and the like. last year i watched one of his stand up movies and it literally changed my life. it was one of the most emotionally potent enchanting things id ever seen - and also, very, very funny. im not really the kind of person that laughs out loud while alone (if you are, im jealous) but i did that night.
the overwhelming charisma and enormous vocal and physical talent is of course not as present in this book, but i still found it amazing. wish i could find this in paperback.
(i told my dad about richard pryor and he said he didnt know him, but then we looked him up and my dad got like a flashback and recalled watching silver streak in theatres in 1976 and laughing so hard he almost threw up. i guess we're related)

neilsarver's review

funny hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

4.0

horfhorfhorf's review

3.0

An easy, interesting read for those unfamiliar with Richard Pryor's story. Fair number of lulls in interest throughout the book, but that's what happens when ghost writers get involved.

smilejosh's review

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

5.0

orsayor's review

5.0

Classic......

ooohgoshtara's review

challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

A unforgettable story. A well told autobiography. I enjoyed the way the story was written. Richard's story is raw, entertaining, funny, and incredibly sad.