Too Much Is Not Enough

The author recounts his life and career, describes his painful divorce, and discusses his outlook on life and happiness

In this amusing, moving and, at times, alarming autobiography, Bean (born Dallas Burrows) recalls suffering a mid-life crisis at age 52, then suddenly being surprised by an inexplicable joy that induced him to examine and right the direction of his life. Born in Vermont in l928, he grew up in a troubled home in Cambridge, Mass., where, when he was 16, his mother committed suicide. Leaving home, he adopted his show-biz name, went on the road with his magic/comedy routines, became famous for his agile wit and charm, and starred on stage and TV. Along the way, he married and divorced, remarried, had four children and divorced again. Then this self-styled dropout experimented with group sex and LSD to deadening effect. But now the ever-spunky Bean is back on track, he assures us, pursuing his boyhood goal "to be the happiest S.O.B. who ever lived." His book is so disarming the reader hopes he makes it.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

TV personality and raconteur Orson Bean spills his philosophical guts in this mishmash memoir. The best parts are descriptions of his childhood, work as a standup comedian, a brush with blacklisting, and courting his second wife Carolyn. This account is overshadowed by overlong excursions into self-discovery: dropping out to live in Australia; describing an appearance by a ghost ; taking LSD; attending EST classes; visiting a nudist colony; discussing open marriage. Best known for appearances on TV game shows, Bean includes only a paragraph on that aspect. Flaky and unfocused but not without humor, this is recommended only for libraries with large pop culture collections. Christopher Schemering, formerly with Arlington Cty. P.L., Va.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.