I get so excited every time a good friend publishes a new book. On October 28, comedian Roy Wood, Jr. releases his first book, “The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir” (Penguin Random House). I read … a lot, but I have never read a book where I laughed so hard I was brought to tears and then turned a page and read a story so thoughtfully told that I had to fight back tears. This book highlights the various men (and women) whom Wood has met throughout his life — growing up in Birmingham, traveling all over the country as a burgeoning stand-up comedian, as well as his relationship with his late father.
Throughout the book, there are so many stories that are universal to the human experience. Wood’s hilarious prose jogged memories from my own childhood, even though I grew up as a young girl in the northeast. Wood also chronicles so many of his low-wage jobs and miscellaneous relatives and fellow comedians who have helped make him the man he is today. His honest writing made me think deeply about the nature of work, having a drive toward a sometimes-elusive goal, and trying to figure out how to power through in a complex world. I found myself thinking about some of his stories long after I finished the book and I also found myself chuckling about some of the vignettes long after.
Wood frames this book as a guide and (what I would argue is) a love letter to his young son as he provides a myriad of life lessons. As much as I laughed at the cast of characters in the book and the hijinks young Roy got into as a Black latch-key kid, this book is actually about work ethic, what it means to try to be a good and decent man in this world, and how to trust oneself even in moments of deep discouragement and despair. This book isn’t just about Roy Wood, Jr.; it highlights and lays bare the universal journey and questions so many people have.
Many folks know Wood from his comedic work about the “Daily Show with Trevor Noah” or from his successful stint of hosting the 2023 White House Correspondents Dinner during the Biden era. Others may know Wood from his various stand-up specials, his current job hosting CNN’s “Have I Got News for You,” or his analysis on ESPN shows and the MLB network. In addition to stand-up comedian, podcaster, and host, Wood can now add author to his list of accomplishments.
For New Yorkers, Wood will perform at the Gramercy Theater on October 28. To find out when Roy Wood, Jr. will be in your city, go to www.roywoodjr.com.
Christina Greer, Ph.D., is an associate professor at Fordham University; author of the books “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.
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