Rude Talk in Athens: Ancient Rivals, the Birth of Comedy, and a Writer's Journey through Greece

Written by Mark Haskell Smith

Narrated by Brandon Massey

In ancient Athens, thousands would attend theatre festivals that turned writing into a fierce battle for fame, money, and laughably large trophies. While the tragedies earned artistic respect, it was the comedies—the raunchy jokes, vulgar innuendo, outrageous invention, and barbed political commentary—that captured the imagination of the city.

The writers of these comedic plays feuded openly, insulting one another from the stage, each production more inventive and outlandish than the last, as they tried to win first prize. Of these writers, only the work of Aristophanes has survived and it’s only through his plays that we know about his peers: Cratinus, the great lush; Eupolis, the copycat; and Ariphrades, the sexual deviant. It might have been the golden age of Democracy, but for comic playwrights, it was the age of Rude Talk.
Watching a production of an Aristophanes play in 2019 CE and seeing the audience laugh uproariously at every joke, Mark Haskell Smith began to wonder: what does it tell us about society and humanity that these ancient punchlines still land? When insults and jokes made thousands of years ago continue to be both offensive and still make us laugh?

Through conversations with historians, politicians, and other writers, the always witty and effusive Smith embarks on a personal mission (bordering on obsession) exploring the life of one of these unknown writers, and how comedy challenged the patriarchy, the military, and the powers that be, both then and now. A comic writer himself and author of many books and screenplays, Smith also looks back at his own career, his love for the uniquely dynamic city of Athens, and what it means for a writer to leave a legacy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Everand Productions
• Release date: Mar 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781094441221

Mark Haskell Smith

Mark Haskell Smith is the author of three novels, Moist, Delicious and Salty and is an award-winning screenwriter. He lives in Los Angeles. He knows the secret to an authentic mai tai. His website is www.markhaskellsmith.com.

Reviews for Rude Talk in Athens

[Roger · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

This would have been an amusing book if the author had focused on the peculiar personal rivalries among the ancient Greek playwrights. Unfortunately, little survives from this era, so the author has taken a few ancient anecdotes and inflated them into a short book by pontificating about his political views. The author's imagined interactions among the Greek writers could have been the basis for a very nice humorous novel, but these scenes only serve as interludes between his strident rants. The author's musings on the relationship of art, comedy, sex, politics are certainly interesting, but not at all novel, and could have been condensed into a magazine article.

[parrottfam5 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Somewhat interesting in parts, but couldn’t finish at the author spends way too much time bashing people who don’t share his political views

[Gloria · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

humorous, enlightening, steadfastly firm in its values. really enjoyed the re-enactments of ancient greece. would listen again!

[Jahiem Bracey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Overall profound and great book and well-researched. The modernist takes can be little annoying at times but it’s become one of the best books I’ve read/ listened to this year.

[ASSIA · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful, funny, profound, well researched. A powerful voice. Indispemsable for anyone interested in Greece, literature, comedy.

[Gloriana · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic exploration of comedy & history through the vale of contemporary travels in Greece. I really enjoyed the “nerd narrative” as the author says that details the importance of comedy from its origin to our modern times.

[Michael Steger · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A smart, funny, and insightful book. Packs a lot in a short read—sex, food, wine, the Beatles, and, of course, Old Comedy

[Kathy Miller · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

You can play a drinking game by taking a shot everything he says "cunnilingus" but be prepared to get very lit.