We have been following the career of Nate Bargatze since we stumbled onto his very first Netflix special - for so long that at our house we just call him Nate. ("Nate has a new show on." "Nate got that one right." "Oh, that Nate.") This book is relatable, as someone who grew up in Indiana with relatives in the Deep Southern=Adjacent area of Southern Indiana (IYKYK), there were many stories that were extremely relatable and funny. And if the thought of those areas amuse you - and believe me, they are very amusing, we get it - this book is for you. There are several laugh out loud moments, and many more humorous "I get that" moments. Throughout your time together, you hear Nate's voice and cadence, which makes it an experience. In short, Nate is THAT cousin....you know the one where you won't commit to the holiday until you hear he is coming because he makes the after dinner story time so much more fun.

My mother loved this book! She's a big fan of Nate's so it was a no-brainer. She loved that there was an inside joke to his stand-up included (blank pages) and the background into his life.

I was introduced to the comedy stylings of Nate Bargatze this year on vacation. We were staying with my parents and my dad had been watching one of his comedy specials on Netflix. He was funny enough that it had me stopping what I was doing to watch the show.

So when I saw this audiobook available on Netgalley. I jumped away from the norm I usually pick and went for a biography. If you choose to read this book, I recommend going the audio route so you can get the full Bargatze effect while hearing his words. He reads it so it was like I was back listening to one of his comedy specials while completing other tasks. He had me laughing out loud while cooking dinner, cleaning the house and chauffeuring my kids around. Really anything to make some of those tasks better, especially cooking dinner (one of my least favorite tasks, and it says on repeat every day 😲).

Hilarious! Listening to this audiobook is like listening to his comedy. I was literally laughing out loud for most of the book! This won't be the only time I listen to the book. Relatable and just down right funny!

I love Nate Bargatze. His stand-up is hilarious. I am so glad he was the narrator of his own book. That being said, it took me longer than expected to get through the content. It wasn't nearly as funny as hearing his comedy.

This entertaining audiobook has the same vibe and sense of humor as the author's stand-up comedy, but allows more room for developing the anecdotes he relates beyond just a single punchline. Though this probably would have been an enjoyable read without the audio component, hearing the delivery of each story and joke in the author's own voice really enriched the reading experience for me. I loved that the audiobook was produced as a separate entity unto itself, with commentary addressed specifically to listeners. Fans of Bargatze's everyday observational humor, and of his signature joke-telling style, will love this book.

I am a huge fan of Nate Bargatze, so I was so excited when Netgalley granted me an early listen. This is the perfect audio for a long car trip. You may end up getting lost, but you will sure have fun along the way!! The stories are funny and touching.

Thank you #Netgalle for the copy!

Great audiobook! So many laugh out loud moments documenting his upbringing and getting him to where he is now. Audio version is a great option as if you are listening to his standup, helped my drives go by quickly listening to this!

This is a must have book for fans of Nate's stand up comedy act. This book gives us an inside look at where and how his comedy started. He tells stories from his childhood starting with how he use to be a genius. You will have to listen to hear how that changed. Nate's family isn't much different from your own and you will be able to relate to his stories and laugh along with him. He might even make you remember funny stories from your own childhood. Go out and find this book today. If you get the audiobook he will even read it to you.

This book is absolutely hilarious! I loved every minute Nate’s humor. He doesn’t use vulgar or foul language, so his comedy is very clean. With this said, I think everyone will love it. I love his take on being raised in the south and how it’s so different from other places in the US. His stories had me laughing so hard and wanting more!

The audiobook is the best I’ve listened to. The special effects are amazing and Nate does his own narration. I loved every second!

Highly recommend!!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ALC of this book!

I kinda liked Mike Birbiglia's stand up, then listened to his book and loved Mike Birbiglia. I kinda liked Nate Bargatze's stand up, listened to his book, and now I'm not sure that I'm going to like Nate Bargatze's stand up anymore.

Most stand up comedians have self-confidence issues, but Nate's, as told in this book, are huge.

There's a chapter in here about how the Bargatze Family use "idiot" as a term of endearment, but I'm going to have to side with Nate's wife Laura because he really seems to have internalized that term. As a teacher, this was hard to listen to because there was never a payoff. Nate's obviously very successful, in a career that requires lots of rejection, but he doesn't explain any of that. Just that he's benefited from a lot of other people, as well as a fair amount of luck, due to their pitying his "big dumb eyes." The self-realizations such as they are don't cohere.

There are some funny schticks, like the food thoughts, but I just kept looking for this to tighten up or at least get less negative, and it accomplished neither.

Honestly, I'm not certain that I could have gotten through this at all without it being an audiobook. I think most of these stories just would have made me frustrated/sad for Nate if he wasn't delivering them like I should laugh.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

Amazing audiobook! Love that Nate reads this, and I felt like I was getting a personal stand-up show. His stories are fabulous, and I appreciate that I can listen to him in front of my kids - proof that you can be funny AND appropriate!

I feel like Nate's narration makes everyone funnier, since his delivery style is a big part of his comedy success. Get the audiobook.

Thanks so much for this audio-arc! I LOVE listening to a memoir in the authors voice- especially a comedian!

I’m a huge Nate Bargatze fan. I saw him live last year. I adore how wholesome he is. This book was a nice little treat. It was so fun to hear more about some of his jokes. He also told new stories about who he is- of course in a funny way.

This was enjoyable, light and fun!

This book was lighthearted and hilarious, which is exactly on par with Nate Bargatze's reputation! He shares so many funny stories and gives you insight to his life growing up that is incredibly relatable. The way he shares his family and friends, and the stories he loves is incredibly genuine. Definitely recommend for a quick, lighthearted, enjoyable read or listen!

Nate Bargatze: Big Dumb Eyes is exactly what I hoped it would be—funny, a little random, and full of that classic Nate charm. It reads just like his stand-up sounds: dry, clever, meandering in the best way, and totally clean without losing any comedic punch.

Nate has this talent for turning everyday stuff into something hilarious—and learning more about his life and perspective just made me like him even more. Yes, there are tangents, but it’s kind of what makes him Nate. If you’re already a fan, it feels like a hangout session in audiobook form.

And speaking of the audiobook—I’m so glad Nate narrated it himself. Honestly, it wouldn’t have worked any other way. His delivery is part of what makes the humor land so well, and hearing him tell these stories in his signature style was the best part.

Thanks to Hachette Audio and NetGalley for the advanced listening copy in exchange for my honest review.

Big Laughs and Bigger Stories

As a stand-up comedy junkie and longtime Nate Bargatze fan, I was all in for this one, and it totally delivered. Big Dumb Eyes is a heartfelt, laugh-out-loud collection of stories that feel like a natural extension of his stand-up sets, but with even more room to stretch out and be delightfully weird.

From his obsession with Vandy football to the mysteries of sushi, every chapter had me smiling or shaking my head in that familiar Nate way—where you’re not quite sure how you got there, but you’re glad you did. The audiobook makes the whole thing even better. Nate reads it himself and throws in some off-script tangents that make it feel like you’re sitting front row at a private show.

Sure, there are a few moments where he touches more on his faith than he typically does in his sets, but it never feels preachy, just personal. If you’re into Nate’s style of low-key, observational comedy with a lovable twist of self-deprecation, you’ll have a great time.

I flew through this one, laughed plenty, and kind of wish it was twice as long.

I think this audiobook would be great for fans of Nate. I've really only watched one segment of his show, and I really enjoyed that. This is a collection of Nate's stories growing up, like a new friend catching you up to his life so far. It makes you look forward to the next years together.

For those that love a celebrity memoir, this is such a fun read! Bargatze reads it himself and it just makes the book even funnier. I found myself chuckling along and loved this listen!

Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind

I Picked Up This Book Because: I've enjoyed the authors comedy in the past.

Media Type: Audiobook
Source: Netgalley
Dates Read: 5/29/25 - 5/31/25
Rating: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Nate Bargatze

The Story:

A memoir told in no particular order. I think it does give a good view into how Nate’s mind works.