Thank you NYU Press for making this book available on Netgalley as a Read Now book! I wanted to read this book because it sounded interesting and I didn’t know who Jean Carroll was and it was an interesting book. I just don’t think it was for me because I found as I was reading the book that I didn’t really care that much about the subject matter. I watched a couple of videos on YouTube of Jean Carroll doing stand up comedy and I didn’t think she was funny. I’ve learned that I don’t like stand up comedy. I’ve tried to watch stand up comedy but I’ve never been able to get into it. I think if you like stand up comedy, you might think this book is interesting.

Jean Carroll, America’s first Jewish woman stand-up comedian, broke boundaries with her wit and charm. In ‘First Lady of Laughs’, Grace Kessler Overbeke gives this trailblazer her due, shining a light on Carroll's overlooked contributions to comedy and American culture.

Accuracy: ★★★★★
The book is meticulously researched, providing rich details about Carroll’s life, career, and the broader historical context of her work. From her rise in vaudeville to her pioneering work as a stand-up comedian, Overbeke captures Carroll’s legacy with precision and care.

Perspective: ★★★★★
Grace Kessler Overbeke is uniquely suited to tell this story, with a background in theatre and connections to Jewish history. Her expertise is evident, as she balances an academic approach with genuine admiration for Carroll’s life and career. The book’s perspective is both insightful and deeply respectful of its subject.

Relevance: ★★★★★
In an era where the contributions of marginalised voices are being rediscovered and celebrated, this book is incredibly relevant. Jean Carroll’s story highlights the struggles and triumphs of being a Jewish woman in the male-dominated world of mid-20th-century comedy, making it a vital addition to both comedic and cultural history.

Engagement: ★★★★★
The narrative is captivating, seamlessly blending historical accounts with Carroll’s humour and personality. The anecdotes about her comedic style and the challenges she faced keep readers hooked, making it a page-turner for anyone interested in comedy, history, or trailblazing women.

Readability: ★★★★★
The writing is clear, engaging, and approachable. Overbeke expertly conveys complex historical contexts without overwhelming the reader, ensuring that the story remains accessible to both casual readers and those with a deeper interest in comedy or history.

Enjoyment: ★★★★★
This book is an absolute delight to read. Overbeke’s passion for her subject shines through, making it as entertaining as it is informative. Learning about Carroll’s life and legacy feels like rediscovering a hidden gem, leaving readers inspired and appreciative of her contributions to comedy and culture.


‘First Lady of Laughs’ is a brilliant tribute to Jean Carroll, an unsung pioneer of comedy. Grace Kessler Overbeke’s thoughtful and engaging account ensures that Carroll’s legacy will not be forgotten. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves comedy, history, or stories of incredible women who dared to break the mould.

First Lady of Laughs provides a much needed overview and analysis of the career of groundbreaking comedienne Jean Carroll. She is finally placed in context with other comic greats of her era. Sometimes however, the text reads like a PhD dissertation with academic analysis that may be beyond the interests of the average reader.

An overdue biography of one of the first female (and Jewish) comics who served as a role model for many future comedians (such as Lily Tomlin, etc.) The reason I put her Jewish identity in quotes is a large theme of this book is the societal pressure to assimilate so alternatively she would play up or play down this part of her identity. I am embarrassed to say that I had never heard of her until I read this book. I am so glad she is finally getting her due.

Thank you to Netgalley and NYU Press for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own


I'm glad I was chosen to review this wonderful biography. I've always loved comedy and grew up watching Lucille Ball, Carol Brunet and Vicky Lawrence thanks to my dad. I however never thought of female comedians doing stand up until Mrs.Masil. After reading this book I want to learn more and dig for rare clips or sound bites.

Great, although at times slow, read.

A welcome first step in unearthing the legacy of Jean Carroll, even if the narrative gets bogged down in academese from time to time. My full review can be found on Open Letters Review.

When you think of women comedians of the past, you may consider a wealth of those who appeared on television in the 1950s and 1960s, and those who starred in their own television shows. Before many of them, there was Jean Carroll, a female Jewish standup comedian who broke ground for so many other women.

If you have watched the show <i>The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel</i>, you can't help but make an instant comparison between Carroll and Rachel Brosnahan's title character. And while not actually based on Carroll's career, it can easily lead readers into wanting to know more about Carroll's life and career well before the likes of Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett, and Phyllis Diller.

Like many biographies that address older performers, there aren't many opportunities to check out what the book is talking about, but there are a few clips online that you can see, and a couple of routines are available to listen to on Spotify for reference. It can be hard to get yourself into the place and time, knowing that not only was Carroll's gender sometimes setting her back, but with certain audiences her Jewish identity could also detract from the comedy that she delivered so well. For anyone that wants to see how she played a role in many facets of early comedy, this is a book you should check out.

The subtitle calls comedian Jean Carroll's story a "forgotten" one, and I can see why -- I grew up watching all the comedians on Ed Sullivan in the 1960s -- Joan Rivers, Jerry Stiller and Ann Meara, Totie Fields, Phyllis Diller, Moms Mabley, etc, but I don't remember Jean Carroll. Which is remarkable given that she appeared on the show 29 times. Author Grace Kessler Overbeke takes us through Jean Carroll's career from vaudeville to radio to early TV sitcoms and variety shows. Overbeke details how being a woman in the comedy business had advantages and disadvantages (mostly disadvantages, no surprise), and how she chose to emphasize or de-emphasize being Jewish. This was not a straight path, she took different approaches over time, and one of the most illuminating parts of the book is where Overbeke analyzes one of Carroll's popular routines as she refined and altered it over the years and for different audiences. Really fascinating study and an entertaining read. (Thanks to NetGalley and NYU Press for a digital review copy.)

Grace Kessler Overbeke does a fantastic job of bringing the story of Jean Carroll to life. When people think of famous stand up comedians, Jean Carroll is likely not the first name to come to mind. However, her accomplishments stand for themselves. From her roots as a daughter in a struggling immigrant family trying her best to win talent prizes to bring money to her family, to her multiple appearances on the Ed Sullivan show. She was groundbreaking. At the time, most comedians were male. Jean Carroll managed to break into the industry, remain true to herself, and usher in a new form of comedy which involved her discussing herself. This book was a wonderful read with a lot of information I didn't know about a truly remarkable woman.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.