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Nate Bargatze is one of my favorite comedians. He’s the undisputed king of clean comedy. He makes Jim Gaffigan look like Lenny Bruce (Richard Pryor? George Carlin? Andrew Dice Clay?) If Nate puts something out, I’m in. Album, special, podcast, napkin doodle, whatever. I’ll consume it. So when his book Big Dumb Eyes landed, I immediately dove in. And I can honestly say it is the best Nate Bargatze book I have ever read. (To my knowledge, this is his first and thus far only book.)
Here is my Big Dumb Eyes book review:
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Thank you, Grand Central Publishing and Nate Bargatze for providing this awesome book for review via NetGalley! All the stuff I say here is MY opinion. I mean, of course it is, but I feel like I should say it here anyway.
Big Dumb Eyes by Nate Bargatze Book Summary
Full Title: Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind
Big Dumb Eyes is exactly what you’d expect from Nate Bargatze: hilarious stories about everyday life, told with his trademark deadpan delivery and “aw shucks” charm. He hints the book title almost didn’t make it to publication. His southern drawl sounded like, “Big DEMISE“, which apparently was off-putting to the publisher.
The book feels like sitting down with Nate at the kitchen table while he points out all the dumb little quirks of being human (particularly himself as a human.) He leans into the same clean, observational humor that’s made him one of the biggest names in stand-up, only this time you get a deeper peek behind the curtain.
But it’s not just jokes and goofy stories. Nate also slips in moments of sincerity — his love for his family, the realities of marriage and parenting, and even some open, honest talk about his faith. Those aren’t taboo topics, but they’re rare in the comedy world. That balance makes Big Dumb Eyes feel refreshing: funny, but also genuine.
Check out these funny books for Dads!
Who is Nate Bargatze?
Nate Bargatze (born March 25, 1979) is living proof that you don’t need F-bombs or raunch to crush in comedy. He’s a Nashville guy who somehow turned “mild-mannered dad with a Southern drawl” into one of the most bankable acts in the country. His career really took off after Netflix’s The Standups in 2017. Since then, he’s dropped a string of killer specials: The Tennessee Kid, The Greatest Average American, Hello World, and Your Friend, Nate Bargatze. He’s even been Grammy-nominated and was 2024’s highest-grossing comedian.
But Nate hasn’t stopped at stand-up. He’s the host of The Nateland Podcast, has hosted Saturday Night Live (twice. See clip below.) He’s even starring in his own feature film, The Breadwinner, due in 2026. Basically, he’s the cleanest, nicest guy in the game and he’s made that his comedy superpower.
Find Nate here: Nate – Nateland
Still not sure about this Nate Bargatze guy? He’s George Washington in the ridiculously viral SNL bit shown below. If you don’t love him after watching that, I can’t help you.
Check out more hilarious reads by some of my favorite stand-up comedians.
Now onto the rating! Big Dumb Eyes Book Review:
My innovative system for rating humor books is explained here
Wholesomeness Score: 5/5
Nate proves once again that clean comedy isn’t boring. It’s just harder to pull off. His stories about family and faith feel genuine — standing out in a comedy world that usually leans cynical.
Hilarity Score: 5/5
This book is flat-out funny. Nate has a way of turning the simplest (dare I say dumbest?) observations into hilarious self-deprecating bits. You’ll hear his deadpan delivery in your head as you read.
Overall Book Awesomeness Score: 5/5
A mix of comedy, sincerity, and Nate’s trademark likability. Big Dumb Eyes delivers clean, deadpan, low-drama humor. Just the way I like it.
Things I liked:
- Clean, hilarious, self-deprecating humor at its finest
- I really appreciated how Nate wove in his faith. Not in an in-your-face, fire-and-brimstone kind of way, but with a sincerity that matched the rest of his storytelling. It felt honest, natural, and refreshingly rare in the comedy world.
- New material – not just re-hashed jokes from previous specials!
Things I didn’t like:
- It’s not really a “didn’t like,” but I don’t buy that Nate is as dumb as he tries to convince us he is. The book leans hard into the “aw-shucks, clueless guy” persona. But honestly, he comes across more like a brilliant dufus — someone sharp enough to know exactly how to make himself sound simple.
Conclusion: Big Dumb Eyes by Nate Bargatze Book Review
Big Dumb Eyes is exactly what I hoped for from Nate Bargatze: funny, clean, and heartfelt. He leans into the goofy “regular guy” routine we all love. But he also gives readers a glimpse of his real life: faith, family, and childhood stories that made him who he is. If you’re already a fan, this book is a no-brainer. If you’re new to Nate, you’ll quickly see why he’s considered the king of clean comedy.
Read any good comedic memoirs? Give me your suggestions in the comments!
