I don't know if I have written a post on a memoir before. Regardless, this is a must-read, inspiring one that carries the reader on the river of optimism and good will it contains.
Ahn Do writes in a simple style, reflecting on everything that has made him what he is today - he is so much more than just a comedian. Every story reveals another layer to his thankfulness and humility. He is funny, but he is also fiery, enterprising and versatile. Put this on your bucket list. Assimilate with an attitude of gratitude. You will feel better for having read it, I guarantee.
The following excerpt is from a time when Ahn performed in front of 200 Vietnam veterans. Not one to shy away from fear, he did the gig and here are some of his reflections:
I decided to bring forward all the material that would prove to them I was just an Aussie kid. So I did a number of jokes about bull terriers and Datsuns and housing commission estates, and slowly I was getting a few chuckles. Then I moved on to footy jokes, farming jokes and kiwi jokes. Slowly, slowly, I won them over. The old guys finally realised that if they closed their eyes, this Vietnamese kid was actually just an Aussie comedian up there talking about his working-class childhood...
After the show they shared a few beers together:
Then Eric, the funniest of the old guys, said... 'You know why we lost the war, Ahn? it was all those bloody tunnels that the communists dug. We could never do that. You know why? Because with us Aussies, for every one guy who's digging there's got to be five standing around having a smoko.' (pp.182-3)
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