By Dean Poling
Reading a favorite comedian’s book can be disappointing. Often, the comedian uses the book to rehash past stage performances. Bits of spoken monologue are transformed into essays within the book. Typically, if people are fans enough to purchase the book, they have seen the comedian’s live shows: making the book a bit of double-dipping for the comedian and a redundant waste of money for the fan. This rehashing of material is not evident in comedian Lewis Black’s “Me of Little Faith,” recently released in paperback. The book does touch upon themes often found in his monologues, specifically religion. Black’s stand-up style typically combines thoughtful, funny commentary punctuated by jittery explosions of outrage, yelling and profanity. Readers can feel some of those outbursts erupt from the pages of “Me of Little Faith,” which is Lewis’ second book. While this book keeps with Lewis’ expected humor, readers may be surprised by the personal and philosophical depth of this volume. Lewis shares stinging thoughts on organized religions, almost all organized religions, from his Jewish upbringing to fundamentalist evangelists. Yet, he also shares unexpected events and incidents from his life that defy logic and scrutiny. He explores the moments that make him set aside his doubter’s cap and believe there is some higher force. Especially moving are the pages on his brother’s death , an event that made him question the idea of God, but led him to feel there is some deeper connection within the universe. “Me of Little Faith” has plenty of the Lewis Black whom fans expect as well as plenty of the man few know from his stand-up act.
