The Coloring Book

A Comedian Solves Race Relations in America

From former SNL "Weekend Update" host and legendary stand-up Colin Quinn comes a controversial and laugh-out-loud investigation into cultural and ethnic stereotypes.

Colin Quinn has noticed a trend during his decades on the road-that Americans' increasing political correctness and sensitivity have forced us to tiptoe around the subjects of race and ethnicity altogether. Colin wants to know: What are we all so afraid of? Every ethnic group has differences, everyone brings something different to the table, and this diversity should be celebrated, not denied. So why has acknowledging these cultural differences become so taboo?

In The Coloring Book, Colin, a native New Yorker, tackles this issue head-on while taking us on a trip through the insane melting pot of 1970s Brooklyn, the many, many dive bars of 1980s Manhattan, the comedy scene of the 1990s, and post-9/11 America. He mixes his incredibly candid and hilarious personal experiences with no-holds-barred observations to definitively decide, at least in his own mind, which stereotypes are funny, which stereotypes are based on truths, which have become totally distorted over time, and which are actually offensive to each group, and why.

As it pokes holes in the tapestry of fear that has overtaken discussions about race, The Coloring Book serves as an antidote to our paralysis when it comes to laughing at ourselves . . . and others.

A hilarious story of race and growing up in NYC in the 70's

Colin needs to work in his reading skills, but overall this is a great book! Hilarious stories! He manages to be funny and edgy about race without crossing that dreaded PC line. Great job Colin!

Take a Seat James Joyce, There's a New Kid in Town

Despite having the grating voice of a 50 year chain smoker gargling with shards of glass, Colin Quinn's (CQ as he prefers to be called affectionately by his dozens of fans) audio performance warms the heart, soothes the soul, and inspires the mind.

After listening intently in my car while driving around the ethnic part of town, I really feel like he helped me to "get it" as the hip, in-the-know types refer to understanding PoC (this abbreviation means 'persons of color') and now, thanks to CQ ;) I aspire to meet some Haitians.

Colin Quinn is not just a Renaissance Man to me, no. After listening to his charming stories about Chinese work ethic and Jamaicans bedding white women, I feel like he's a Renaissance Friend.

Loved it!

Great job Colin! Have been a fan for many years! I appreciated the honesty and hilarious nature of your book!

Funny, Entertaining & Insightful Observations

What made the experience of listening to The Coloring Book the most enjoyable?

OMG, I loved it. Colin Quinn is a great writer and comedian. He tells race relations from his comedic, observational POV having grown up in diverse Brooklyn, and now living in NYC. It's also interesting to hear his memoir intertwined.

Enjoyable

I have to say I cannot out my finger on why I enjoyed the book so much, no belly laughs... I think just old New York take and I love the stereo typing of all the nationalities, something you don’t get much these days. Thanks for a good listen