I've been following Nate for awhile on Instagram so when he announced he was coming out with a book I was really excited. I was curious about his upbringing and how he became a comic. His memoir was funny and had me laughing out loud at certain points. He is super relatable and is similar to my age so I could relate to a lot of his stories. The blank pages parts had me laughing, if you follow his standup you will get that joke. I listened to the audiobook and would highly recommend reading it that way because he narrates.

Some of my favorite parts were the random food things, the Harry Potter ride, and the stories involving his dad or his wife Laura.

Nate will tell you in the beginning that this is not the most amazing piece of literature, but it is a good time and will make you laugh.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hachette Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Listening to the audiobook version of Big Dumb Eyes was like having Nate Bargatze perform a private stand-up show just for me. His signature humor and delivery shine through perfectly in audio format, making it an absolute joy from start to finish. It was the perfect lighthearted and cheerful break between my usual lineup of murder mysteries. Highly recommend for anyone who needs a good laugh.

I am a big fan of Nate Bargatze, I’ve seen his stand ups on Netflix and gone to a live show in Toronto so when I saw this pop up on Netgalley I was crossing my fingers for my request to be approved!

If you’ve watched Nate’s shows before you know that books aren’t really his thing but he managed to make this book so undeniably him. The audiobook is by far the way to go for this book as he is the narrator so his voice, tone, and word pronunciation makes the book all the more humorous. There are also a few different auditory elements added in that try to give the listener a similar experience to a reader which were quite funny and I’m glad I didn’t have to miss out on.

If you’re looking for a book/audiobook version of one of his standups, this isn’t it. He does reference things he has made jokes of in his stand ups but this is a more wholesome version. It’s like sitting around the table with his family during the holidays as they reminisce and squabble about stories from growing up in the Bargatze family.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It's funny, heartwarming, sometimes sad, but most of all it feels like you’re getting a behind the scenes sneak peek into the life of Nate Bargatze.

Audio ARC | Nice to listen to, but in need of tightening up | I really enjoy Bargatze's stand-up, and my sister follows him on social media. She knows how much I enjoy audiobook memoirs written and narrated by comedians (this is not as niche as it sounds, there are tons), so when she heard this was going to be published she let me know and I started watching for it as an ARC. So, really looked forward to it for months, actually. And... not really worth it? I lightly laughed once. I think I might have DNF'd a print version, which is an awful condemnation because I will soldier on through hundreds of pages of bad fiction to avoid a DNF. Without his tone and delivery I just don't think it would have been worth it. Even with those things, each segment went on too long, until the humor had been wrung out and I had time to actually think about what he was saying and whether it made sense outside of a humorous context (mostly, no). If Bargatze had made this into a stand-up special, each chapter would have been honed and tightened, unnecessary bits ruthlessly culled, to fit an hour. And it probably would have been hysterical. There's good material here. But 7 minutes on how he doesn't describe the act of going to a store and selecting items for purchase as "shopping" because it's not shopping until he's actually handed over money? I think the other aspect is that I didn't realize how much his deadpan face with microexpressions really aids his comedy. Without seeing his visual presentation of the material, it doesn't land as well. I really expected to love this, and am sad that I didn't. The production values are excellent, with just the right amount of fx in the phone calls and texts and the blank pages. Bargatze's reading makes the audiobook version more worthwhile than the print.

Advanced copy provided free by the publisher, which did not impact my review. Advanced copy did not include PDF that will be provided to buyers of the final version, so I was unable to review the many referenced photographs. Actual content directly referenced in this review, and the recording time allotted, may vary in the final edition.

What could be better than an audiobook narrated by the author.
Nate Bargatze seems to be everywhere lately, and if you haven't seen him, you are missing out.
His George Washington on Saturday Night Live is brilliant. I could watch it on YouTube over and over. Listening to this book is such a pleasure, and I am sure people driving next to me would wonder why I am laughing so much.
His self-deprecating delivery makes him even funnier. His wife must be a saint. DO LISTEN TO THIS BOOK. It will just make you happy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette audio for the audiobook. I will probably listen to it many times, whenever I need some laughs.

4.75 stars rounded up

Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind by Nate Bargatze is the equivalent of sitting on the bus bench listening to Forrest Gump tell his life story, and I mean that in the best way possible.

Though I've only seen clips of Bargatze's stand-up, I'd imagine this book isn't very different from it. The steady pacing, comforting Southern accent, and simple storytelling will scratch an itch in your brain that you didn't know was there. Both Southerners and non-Southerners alike will relate to Bargatze's charming stories about Ol' Hickory and his random musings that we might not realize we share (see the part about pooping Goldendoodles).

Sometimes the stories will have some digressions that run a little long (sorry, I zoned out on the Vanderbilt chapter), but Bargatze's relatable sense of humor always brings you back to a laugh.

Bottom line: this is a treat of a memoir to read, and especially listen to, whether or not you've heard of Nate Bargatze.

Very special thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio/Grand Central Publishing for sending me this e-ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind will be available everywhere May 6, 2025.

I genuinely really enjoyed this title. This may be the best celebrity memoir audiobook I have read, he was so funny (obviously) but it was clear he put a lot of time and thought into it.
He goes through the big moments in his life in a pretty random order but I think that plays into the chaotic nature of who he portrays himself as. He’s making jokes at his own expense while still giving his version of the truth about the things he has experienced. A must read for fans of comedy.

Love love loved this audiobook!!! I am pretty sure I would laugh out loud at Nate Bargatze reading the phone book. But this really was a beautifully written and narrated book. It was funny but also sweet when Nate talks about his relationship with his family. I am a big Nate fan and turns out he really can write (and read) books!!!

This audiobook was a real treat. I have enjoyed Nate's stand up in the past, and this audiobook was just like that...smart, deadpan, sarcastic and enjoyable. Nate has a way of telling a story that seems very unserious but it clearly has. a point to it. I appreciated that you can listen to this book in any order..each chapter is a stand alone story in itself. This was a trip!

I received this arc for NetGalley and was so excited. Nate bargatze is a favorite of mine in stand up and was very curious how this book would be in difference to his comedy.

This book was read by Nate himself which I loved. It was like sitting down and having a conversation with a friend.

The elevator parts I loved! I wish there was another one in there somewhere. The first time it came on; I actually laughed out loud.

If you are familiar with Nate, the stories in this book are a deeper dive into his stand up. You get more behind the scenes on certain aspects of his life.

I felt overall the stories are random and don’t necessarily tie together. I mean Nate did say you didn’t have to read in order. This makes the book more short stories than anything.

I appreciated the audio book narration and am glad I read that way.

Listen. My family and I are big fans of Nate Bargatze. We’ve seen him a couple of times when he’s come to our area. We listen to his podcast. We watch all of his comedy specials & when he hosts SNL. Big fans.

I was so excited when I found out he wrote a book and it quickly went on my TBR. Going into this book, I knew I was going to love it and I was not disappointed. The fact that he narrated it, in my opinion, just made it even better. It felt like he was in the room and telling me all of his stories. I loved it and thought it was produced really well.

If you’re a fan of Nate Bargatze like I am, I highly recommend that you get the audiobook.

I was given an advanced copy of this audiobook. All opinions expressed above are my own.

3.25

Not what I hoped.

I was excited to review an advanced copy of an audiobook I really wanted to listen to, especially when it’s Nate Bargatze’s book being read by Nate Bargatze!

I just wish it had lived up to my own hype.

Bargatze, with his signature deadpan humor, offers insights into his own life’s absurdities. While there were many moments that made me chuckle and appreciate his background story, the book didn’t quite capture the appeal of his live performances or various appearances.

Listening to Bargatze narrate was enjoyable, although I found his pace to be slow. I had to adjust the audio speed to 1.25 times, and even then, it felt pretty sluggish…and not just in that unhurried drawl that he’s know for. It was almost as if he was making it up on the spot. My audiobook player jumps to 1.5, which was too fast. The structure of the audiobook, with its numerous short chapters, had some genuinely funny moments and interesting family background, but overall, it didn’t meet my expectations. It was neat to hear more about his comic origin story and “meet” the wife and kid—so to speak—who we see looking so nice and sweet before his specials.

Unfortunately, some of them—especially towards the end—felt kind of irrelevant, and not in the “show about nothing” way of Bargatze’s hero comic Jerry Seinfeld. I liked the personal anecdotes, but then there were chapters like the one on shopping, which were more annoying than funny. I never would have imagined that I would want the book to be finished already.

Despite these disappointments, there’s still merit in Bargatze's unique blend of humor and born-again, diehard-Vanderbelt-fan commentary. Still, do give it a try. Just remember, it’s not one of his stand-up specials.

I hate giving a bad review, but I think Nate Bargatze will make it okay. I’m still a fan and excited for the next time I see you. No hard feelings?

Thank you to Nate Bargatze, NetGalley, and Random House, for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book for my unbiased review.

#BigDumbEyes #NateBargatze #NetGalley #bookreview #comedy #lifelessons #RandomHouse #bookreview #ADHDreader

While I’ve heard of Nate Bargatze and seen multiple viral clips of his routines and moments from Saturday Night Live floating across my social media feeds, I’ve never really sought out one of his comedy specials or listened to one of his albums on the various music streaming services available to me. So, when the opportunity came to try out his brand of comedy in audiobook form (and possibly hear a few greatest hits), I figured I’d finally give him a chance.

And with one huge exception, I can see why his comedy connects with people across multiple generations and backgrounds. He works clean, and he invites you to laugh with him or at him, whatever you choose. Again, for the most part, I chose with, though there is one thing I had to laugh at him about. More on that later….

I’ve read other collections of humorous material adapted to the printed page by stand-up comics. Bargatze isn’t reinventing the wheel here, but instead stands firmly on the shoulders of those who came before him. The audiobook is narrated by him, so I got to hear his timing and cadence, which made the overall experience an enjoyable one. It made me want to seek out his comedy specials on various streaming platforms, but I haven’t yet. Part of that is worrying I will have just heard the routines here and not enjoy them as much because I just finished the book.

Nate’s stories are uniquely his own, funny, and relatable. The audiobook was a pleasant way to discover more about Bargatze and his material.

Well, except for one minor detail.

I didn’t know Bargatze is a huge Vanderbilt fan when I picked this up. So, for the chapter in which he rambles on about his fandom of Vandy football, I was mostly tuning out and rolling my eyes. He does stray a bit close to offending my love of the team from Knoxville and our color, but I guess I can let it go since, well, being a Vandy fan by choice is punishment enough. I dispute his point that we don’t enjoy victories because we’re used to them a bit.

But I won’t let that take off too many points from this book. It’s a fun read, though your mileage may vary if you’re more familiar with Bargatze’s routines. I wasn’t overly familiar and found it fresh and entertaining – again, except for the Vandy chapter.

All in all, it’s a fun listen. I am not sure I would have liked it as much on the printed page, but the audiobook was fun and worth listening.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received a digital audio ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you love Nate Bargatze, you will love this book!

I was expecting it to be exactly like his stand up, and was a bit surprised to not get that same vibe. But I still laughed and related to so many stories throughout the book. A great escape!

This audio book is the perfect listen for fans of Nate Bargatz's stand up show because the comedian basically tells us a series of stories throughout the book.

Some tales, of course, feel more credible than others - but his Southern origins shine through, particularly in the description of all things peculiarly Southern!

We find out about his sister Abbie's traumatic associations with the Men in Black movies (a trauma which Nate was directly responsible for), his own tragic accident involving falling off a cliff with consequences that explain SO MUCH, and of course, how his friend Peepee earned his nickname... If you like Nate Bargatz, you are sure to enjoy this book. It gets 3.5 stars.

This was such a fun experience. Nate Bargatze narrates his book and does such a great job telling stories about his upbringing, family, friends, getting into comedy, etc. These chapters are peppered with shorter stories/musings on food, tipping culture, etc.
I always love when the author is the narrator as who else can tell their story and provide the tone and rich context to words and stories that otherwise wouldn't get across well on the page.
For any fans of Nate who are looking for more, this is the perfect book/audio book. Or if you are looking for some laugh-out-loud entertainment, this also fits that bill. I listened to this while out on long walks, and it was like taking a walk with an old friend, and having them entertain you with their variety of relatable, funny, experiences and perspectives.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for access to this advanced audio copy.

What a delight to peak into "a simpler mind"! Nate Bargatze is so smart and funny, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had me laughing from start to finish, and I really enjoyed getting to hear more about the comedian's life. I have been seeing this book everywhere, and it lived up to the hype. It was really enjoyable getting to see Bargatze try a new medium, and I hope he writes other books eventually.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really fun and quick listen. I've seen a lot of clips recently but didn't know much about Nate outside of that. If you enjoy his stand-up, you'll love this book!

This book is genuinely laugh out loud funny!

I've loved Nate for a long time now, and listening to him tell his own life story is an absolute joy. Like I had to pause the audiobook because I was laughing so hard at more than one point. If you even sort of like the videos that you've seen of him on social or his clips from SNL, you need to listen to this book!

Thank you to Hachette Audio / Grand Central Publishing and the author for my advance copy!

I love Nate Bargatze. After John Mulaney took a turn to the dark side, Nate Bargatze became my favorite comedian. I love comedians who tell funny family friendly stories.

I didn’t expect much going into this audiobook - it’s a bunch of stories from Nate’s childhood, narrated by Nate. I didn’t love it but I also didn’t hate it. Nate narrating is what made it. I can’t imagine listening to this with anyone else’s voice. Some of the stories were a little eye opening…kind of made me like him a little less, unfortunately. It had some parts that I chuckled at but none as funny as his standup.

The beginning stories seemed to follow a trajectory that progressed as he aged but the end the book seemed to be more haphazardly put together and I found it less interesting.

I did NOT like the stories regarding his poor dog ownership and how his dog potentially killed his parent’s cat. I didn’t find it funny, just made me dislike him. I could go on and on about this subject but rather than going on a soapbox rant, I’ll just leave it at that.

Takeaway: If you like Nate Bargatze you’d probably like listening to this book. I don’t think it’s worth the dedicated time to READ it though. Listening to Nate narrate (on 1.25x or 1.5x speed 😂) is what made it enjoyable.

Rating and review posted on Goodreads. Social media post will be posted on May 5.