Enter Talking

Enter Talking is Joan Rivers' memoir focusing on her early struggles to break into comedy during the 1960s. The book chronicles her journey from a privileged but stifling upbringing in Brooklyn through her first decade trying to make it as a performer. Rivers details her time performing in small clubs, working odd jobs to survive, and facing constant rejection from the entertainment industry. She recounts the complex dynamics with her traditional parents who opposed her career choice and her determination to succeed despite their disapproval. The narrative follows Rivers' relentless pursuit of stage time in New York's comedy clubs and her experiences with fellow performers who would later become famous. Her relationship with her mentor and champion Johnny Carson receives particular focus. This memoir explores themes of perseverance, identity, and the price of ambition in show business. Rivers presents an unvarnished look at what it takes to build a career in comedy as a woman in mid-century America.

Readers describe Enter Talking as a raw, honest account of Joan Rivers' early career struggles. The book focuses on her pre-fame years and journey to success. Readers appreciate: - Detailed behind-the-scenes look at 1960s comedy clubs - Stories of rejection and persistence - The relationship with her parents - Her practical advice for aspiring performers - The humor mixed with serious moments Common criticisms: - Some sections feel repetitive - A few readers found the pacing slow in the middle - Limited coverage of her later career Review Scores: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (190+ ratings) Reader quotes: "Shows the real determination it takes to make it in show business" - Amazon reviewer "More inspiring than any self-help book" - Goodreads reviewer "Could have been shorter but her voice comes through on every page" - Goodreads reviewer

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🎭 Before writing "Enter Talking," Joan Rivers was so desperate for success that she once played a show in a strip club, performing between acts while the audience waited for the next dancer. 📝 The book reveals that Rivers attempted suicide in her early twenties due to career struggles and a failed relationship, an experience that later shaped her resilient approach to comedy. 🎬 Many clubs refused to book Rivers because female comedians were considered "box office poison" in the 1960s - a prejudice she details extensively in the memoir. 👗 While struggling as a comedian, Rivers worked as a fashion coordinator at Bond Clothing Stores and wrote catalog copy at Saks Fifth Avenue to make ends meet. 🌟 The book's title comes from Rivers' signature opening line "Can we talk?" - a phrase she developed during her early stand-up days to create instant intimacy with her audience.