Yes Man by Danny Wallace is the book on which the recent Jim Carey film was (very) loosely based. I'll be honest, I watched the film first and I had a mild inclination to then read the book. I was intrigued by the philosophy to the point where I contemplated trying it out for a week (saying ... Read review
I Danny Wallace being of sound mind and body do hereby write this manifesto for my ... more
life. I swear I will be more open to opportunity. I swear I will live my life taking every available chance. I will say Yes to every favour request suggestion and i...
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Advantages: witty, inspirational, amusing Disadvantages: annoying use of italics
Yes Man by Danny Wallace is the book on which the recent Jim Carey film was (very) loosely based. I'll be honest, I watched the film first and I had a mild inclination to then read the book. I was intrigued by the philosophy to the point where I contemplated trying it out for a week (saying "Yes" to anything and everything), if I was less lazy and more confident I would have. Perhaps I still will. When I noticed a friend at work was reading ... ...a very slow reader, so I had to wait as the weeks ticked by, but finally he leant it to me a week or so ago. It's taken priority over my other books so I can return it to him quickly. It's easy reading, there was no need for me to worry.
The first thing to say is the book is very different to the film. As is usually the case with book to film transfers I guess, but since its written by a British radio journalist (and Author of other ... more
Yes Man by Danny Wallace is the book on which the recent Jim Carey film was (very) loosely based. I'll be honest, I watched the film first and I had a mild inclination to then read the book. I was intrigued by the philosophy to the point where I contemplated trying it out for a week (saying "Yes" to anything and everything), if I was less lazy and more confident I would have. Perhaps I still will. When I noticed a friend at work was reading the book I asked if I could borrow it. He's a very slow reader, so I had to wait as the weeks ticked by, but finally he leant it to me a week or so ago. It's taken priority over my other books so I can return it to him quickly. It's easy reading, there was no need for me to worry.
The first thing to say is the book is very different to the film. As is usually the case with book to film transfers I guess, but since its written by a British radio journalist (and Author of other books) rather than an American banker, there were bound to be quite a few differences. That's not to say its not good (or bad depending on your view), simply its completely different. Which is a good thing.
I should mention that normally I don't read this sort of books. I generally prefer non-fictional, history books or factual works that I read for research purposes (I am an aspiring author), so this was quite a change. Written in the first person, some of it is merely extracts in the diary form, but mostly its written as if he was talking directly to the reader about his adventures. I normally hate books written in the first person, but since its not fictional, it didn't seem to bother me as much. I did get the distinct impression though, that alot of artistic licence was used, but then it would have to be wouldn't it? Unless he used a Dictaphone or video camera to record everything that happened during the day (which he didn't). It doesn't take away from the quality of the story though. One thing that did drive me nuts throughout the book is the constant use of italics to emphasise words, where it wasn't really needed, the emphasis was obvious anyway, but that's a minor point.
As you can imagine, saying "Yes" to anything and everything has some amusing consequences. We follow the author as he goes through his adventures over days and weeks, doing new things he would never have done before and racking up debt in the process. Mr Wallace often worries if his "Yes manifesto" might be seen as a "stupid boy project" by his ex-girlfriend and you can see why most people might look at it that way, but reading it makes you think about how it could be a good thing. Leading you to do things you'd never done before, having adventures and fun. Meeting new people, going new places. The philosophy is quite appealing, if a little bonkers. We read as Danny finds himself presenting a television show for the BBC, having meetings with strange new people, attending parties he would never have attended before, going to strange far off lands, getting stoned in Amsterdam and having his picture painted in the early hours. All sorts of really wild things.
At the end of the day, its a really good read. Just say "yes" and buy a copy.
Advantages: happy funny uplifting positive modern Disadvantages: not serious, wouldn't work as a self help book, not for everyone
...the advice - just say yes more, and from that moment on ye vows that for one year he will say yes to everything :
yes to all the spam in his email, yes to every invitation, yes to adverts, yes to more drinks....
He gets into many hilarious suituations and has many opportunities open up to him that he never expected. There is even romance. He heeps a diary of the whole adventure so that you follow as he starts the quest and are there when it snow ...
ickleson 26.05.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Yes Man - Danny Wallace
Advantages: Good read, funny too Disadvantages: Slow to start but don't be discouraged
When I heard that the film for this was coming out, I decided I had to read the book first. The concept, as with much of Danny Wallace's life, was bizarre but the start of the book is excellent and will have you hooked early on. The interaction with his friends especially down the pub is priceless and there are several laugh out loud moments especially surrounding the alien fans meeting. I only laugh out loud at Bill Bryson usually so it was a pleasant ... ...along through comedy moments chasing down internet promised riches in Amsterdam and trying to explain why we are all here to ending up poking a monk on national television. The book flows well and would be an ideal holiday read. The only downside to the whole story is the selling of it to America to make a movie btu that will keep for another review. ...
kipper54 04.02.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Yes Man - Danny Wallace
Advantages: Easy to read, addictive and interesting. Disadvantages: Not as funny as advertised.
...is a tale of how yes brought something to Danny's life, what it is endearing is his commitment to his new life concept and it is not knowing what is round the corner that makes this read so addictive.
So, is this book any good, in one word, YES! ...
Riman1990 06.06.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Yes Man - Danny Wallace
Advantages: Gets you thinking a lot Disadvantages: Although based on a true story does make you wonder if its all possible
...can even say he played Yes Man very well in the movie and should be very proud, but in my opinion I think the book is a lot better. You get more of an insight of how Yes Man came about. It wasnt for a bet or a dare. No it was for one man who got so miserable with his life that he decided he wanted to change. Let's put it this way, when the movie was first released I went straight to the cinema to watch it. Although I wasnt hugely disappointed, I ... ...watched Yes Man three times since reading the book and now I am writing this review it is really making me want to read the book again. All in all I think the book is an excellent read whatever kind of genre you are into. My Review 8.5/10 ...
puscus181 03.12.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Yes Man - Danny Wallace
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Advantages: Very funny in parts Disadvantages: Slight Maitreya pre-occupation
As a fan of Tony Hawks, it was probably only a matter of time before I ended up delving into the strange world of DannyWallace. I'd heard of the rather strange things he'd got up to with his friend Dave Gorman without ever seeing the TV series or reading the books and thought that they would be an ideal way of filling the time before the next Tony Hawks book.
The set up for "YesMan" is a bit more random than with Tony Hawks' adventures, as the latter tends to accept a bet from his friends. DannyWallace, however, happened to end up sitting next to some random guy on a bus who advised him to "Say Yes More". Danny, realising that his life had become less exciting in recent times thanks to his ability to turn down invites to more or less anything, took him at face value.
What follows is Danny's story of events over the months ...
Advantages: well written, funny, good book Disadvantages: sags a little in the middle
A few weeks ago I received an email from DannyWallace sent to all his Joinees. It told me that I could buy a signed copy of "yesman" for a reduced price if I bought it now. I was thrilled and immediately decided that I would say YES to buying yesman.
This was just one simple yes and I was glad I decided to buy the book. I may well take a leaf from Danny's book and start saying yes more.
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A Brief History Of Danny
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Many of you may have heard of Dave Gorman. In fact many of you probably know at least one of the 52 that are out there. You see Dave started out by finding everyone with the same name as him. This turned into a decent book and an even better TV show done in a lecture style. It was very entertaining and I'd suggest you all watch it now.
Now ...
Advantages: Very clever and witty Disadvantages: Absolutely none
Ahh DannyWallace :) I'm not ashamed to say that I get very over-excited when he has a new book out and that I quite fancy him...*cough*..anyway, the book! 'YesMan' is a fantastic, hilarious book that will get you laughing at inappropriate moments on the bus and make you want to change your life for the better.
It's written by the genius that is DannyWallace, who has also written 'Join Me' and 'Friends Like These' among others.
'YesMan' tells the story of how Danny decided to say Yes to anything and Everything. It all started when a man on the bus told him to 'Say Yes More'. It was the push that Danny needed to jump back into his life and so began the extraordinary adventure that would take him across the world and put him in some bizzare and crazy situations. Along the way, Danny finds himself winning (and losing) £25 ...
Product Information for "Yes Man - Danny Wallace" »
Product details
EAN
9780091927905
Type
Fiction
Genre
Modern Fiction
Title
Yes Man
Author
Danny Wallace
Release Date
05-Dec-12
ISBN
91927900
Manufacturer's product description
Having been dumped by his girlfriend, he really wasn't doing the young, free and single thing very well. Instead he was avoiding people.Texting them instead of calling them. Calling them instead of meeting them. That is until one fateful date when a mystery man on a late-night bus told him to 'say yes more'. These three simple words changed Danny's life forever. "Yes Man" is the story of what happened when Danny decided to say yes to everything, in order to make his life more interesting. And boy, did it get more interesting. This is the tie-in book that goes with the 2008 film of the Danny Wallace book - "Yes Man" - starring Jim Carrey and Zooey Deschanel, which is being released by Warner Bros in December 2008.
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