Samuel L. Jackson reads 'Go the F --- to Sleep'
Writer Adam Mansbach's childrens book parody "Go the F--- to Sleep" is the gift that keeps giving. Digital galleys of the book, which was released on Tuesday, went viral in early May helping it to shoot to the top of the Amazon best seller list before it was even printed. And now Samuel L. Jackson has recorded an audio version of the book, which is available, for free, on Audible.com.
Why all the hullabaloo around this book? Because any parent who has tried to put a toddler down to sleep has inevitably felt the need to curse, a lot. As Jackson says in the beginning of the recording, "Everyone tells you that reading stories will put kids to sleep, but it never works. It didn't in my house.... I did say go the 'F' to sleep to her a lot. And then she would look at me and say, 'Go the F to sleep, daddy?' And I would say, 'Yeah. Go the 'F' to sleep.' "
As if that weren't awesome enough, Gothamist has a video of comedian Judah Friedlander reading "Go the F--- to Sleep" at a party for the book's release earlier this week, and the site is reporting rumors that Werner Herzog has also expressed interest in making a recording.
Will more celebrities get on board? We'd like a woman's voice to get in the mix -- after all, moms can get just as frustrated as dads when their kids won't go to sleep. Our vote is for Karen O.
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-- Deborah Netburn
Image: The cover of "Go the F-- to Sleep." Credit: Akashic Books.
Photo: Samuel L. Jackson at the 65th annual Tony Awards. Jackson has recorded and audio version of the book. Credit: Charles Sykes / Associated Press
Yes, there are times that I get frustrated with putting the kids to bed but I would never say "Go the F--- to Sleep". I feel sad that Jackson talked to his daughter that way.
Posted by: Melissa | June 15, 2011 at 06:29 PM
who the f cares?
Posted by: Mike | June 15, 2011 at 06:41 PM
He starts off the reading by telling of how often he would tell his little girl to "go the f--- to sleep," and that ruined it for me. The appeal of this book is an imaginary breaching of that divide called innocence. When it becomes real, it's crude and cold.
Posted by: Larz0 | June 15, 2011 at 07:33 PM
SAD that we have come to such a low place that we can think of our children in these terms. Are there not enough shaken baby in the world? Why would we want to add these kinds of words to the lives of our children?
Posted by: sharon | June 15, 2011 at 08:42 PM
it's a hilarious joke people! lighten the f up!
Posted by: hilarious! | June 15, 2011 at 10:13 PM
Samuel Jackson is a F 'n idiot. And so is this books writer and the dumb libs at LA times.
Posted by: get real | June 15, 2011 at 10:19 PM
patience is needed not frustration.. Words are tools and language is an example. This BOOK is not right! BAD CHOICE!
Posted by: Delores | June 15, 2011 at 11:10 PM
at first i thought the naysayers here (when these reviews first broke last month or so) were too uptight and too critical - but these comments have really stuck with me (why i do not know) and i think its absolutly correct - it is degenerative to celebrate parenthood so publically in such a twisted way as this. such thinking becoming more publically permissionalbe b/c of the crowd mentality will only rub off on the children adults should be protecting. its not cute and certinly is not nice. we are not a pretty culture for sure and we all pay the price for it. its all about attitude these days and people behaving badly and celebrating books like this just helps it along - but i guess its inevitable - look at men these days - regardless of ecomonics men wear t-shirts and flipflops (dont we love looking at mens naked feet) or for dress up the mandatory collared shirt tail out (the unwritten rule of fashionale male dress now). this kind of book is just a reflection of what we are, neck tattoos and all.
Posted by: bill | June 16, 2011 at 09:28 AM
Seriously? People are taking this book Seriously? Stop taking yourselves so seriously. If you've never WANTED to tell your kid to just go the F_ _ _ to sleep, you're not human. Now, where did I put the formula 44 ;)
Posted by: Curtis | June 16, 2011 at 11:54 AM
This book showcases BAD parenting and is not even funny. Yes, putting a child to bed can be frustrating, but adults should always be the best example possible. What happens when his daughter thinks it's OK to use this language at school or church? Why didn't the book reviewer address this total lack of morality?
Posted by: Megan | June 16, 2011 at 12:06 PM
Note the first line in this story, "Writer Adam Mansbach's childrens book parody "Go the F--- to Sleep" is the gift that keeps giving."
Do you people not know what parody means. This book was NOT written for children. It was written for adults.
Posted by: RiffRaff | June 16, 2011 at 01:34 PM
Its a parody people!! someone needs to pick up a dictionary and look up the defintion..
Posted by: lea8199 | June 16, 2011 at 02:59 PM
all you people that think its sad or offensive have no sence of humer you shut the f upand take a joke for crying out loud
Posted by: judy | June 16, 2011 at 03:19 PM
A perfect meld of actor and material.
And if the book is an example of bad parenting, it's an example in that apparently many adults have difficulty in looking past the presentation of something to see if it's actually intended and/or appropriate for children or not. In this case, seeing that it appears to be a children's book and thus assuming that it was intended as a straight example of one.
Posted by: Cass | June 16, 2011 at 05:12 PM
Lighten up! Its a joke and I highly doubt either the author or Jackson ever said that to their children just like rapper Eminem did not actually murder his ex-wife. Its publicity and people like you guys who get all upset are the best kind of promotion! I am the proud mom of a 6 year old girl who I have had more than a few frustrating nights with. And believe me - I have thought more than a few choice words during bedtime mayhem. That doesn't make me any less of a parent or a bad mother. It means ..wait for it ... get this ... I .... am ...HUMAN!!! I know, shocking. I am a mom and human! I have feelings! And I can get frustrated when my daughter's being a twit. In America, mothers have been brainwashed into thinking we all needs to have the patience of a saint and not ever get frustrated with our kids. We must live up to the highest t.v. mom standard. Its wrong. Know what? By teaching my daughter that everyone gets upset sometimes and showing her a little frustration, she's learning to express her emotions which is the healthiest thing a child can learn ... plus - a little expressed frustration keeps her in line. So, tonight when she goes to bed if she's giving me a hard time - I'm going to download Mr. Jackson's rendition of "Go the F to Sleep" and have her listen to that instead of her nightly lullabies. Stick that in your apron and smoke it, June Cleaver. Welcome to the age of honesty, hang onto your bonnet!
P.S. We have bigger fish to editorially fry. What about the "Pedohiles Guide to Child Love" or whatever the name was that recently caused a stir on Amazon? Now there is an author who needs a lynch mob and makes the case for censorship. That is a book you can call dangerous and offensive. Not a book like the aforementioned, that expresses something every parent has felt - whether they admit or not.
Posted by: Tara | June 17, 2011 at 04:56 PM
Look Mom's cuss their chi'ren. I'm a Mom and I've done it . Do it. I just try to work on it now. Your children will get on your nerve. And if you say no you are a pusillanimous prevaricator. Yep that's what I said.
Posted by: blackaren | June 18, 2011 at 02:16 PM
Guys, this is SUPPOSED to be the INNER MONOLOGUE of the parent.
How is this NOT obvious?
Posted by: Douglas | June 18, 2011 at 07:03 PM