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Liked It “My dog's feet smell like Fritos too... weird.” see full review » see other reviews » |
Didn’t Like It “I had high expectations for this book. Unfortunately, the author's digital verse doesn't translate well to the printed page. Not that the author had to get all confessional about her post-partum depression, but the spastic writing style made it seem like her foray into parenthood was great,...” see full review » see other reviews » |
Newest Reviews
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“I laughed my way through this book. The one thing that got on my nerves was the author's preoccupation with bodily functions. Enough was enough. All that aside, I was amazed at the author's resilience through a never-ending postpartum depression. I envied her a supportive spouse. ”
Norma M wrote this review Tuesday, November 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Almost a fatal amount of sarcasm. I thought her best writing came near the end when she talked seriously about her post-partum depression and seeking help. She wrote monthly letters to her baby girl that were fun to read. Also, a fair amount of swearing.”
Jennifer L wrote this review Sunday, November 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I love Dooce, but I still haven't been able to finish this book.. I want to move on to bigger and better things. I don't feel she offered anything in this book she hasn't said on her blog.. but I still love her.”
D33R wrote this review Tuesday, October 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I had high expectations for this book. Unfortunately, the author's digital verse doesn't translate well to the printed page. Not that the author had to get all confessional about her post-partum depression, but the spastic writing style made it seem like her foray into parenthood was great, except once in a while she'd throw something at her husband, then she needed a weekend off to read US Magazine, and so she headed to a mental hospital. Huh? ”
Eve-Marie L wrote this review Monday, September 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“My dog's feet smell like Fritos too... weird.”
Laurel C wrote this review Wednesday, September 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I've been reading Dooce.com for quite a while. I'd previously read her first book, a collection of stories about fathers from her and other bloggers, called Things I Learned About My Dad (In Therapy). If you're a reader of her blog, there's not a whole lot of new stuff here. However, it's still all very entertaining. If you're a newer reader of her's and haven't read any of her old stuff, this book is for you. She talks very candidly about her struggles with depression and anxiety and her troubles as a new mom. I felt much the same way reading it as I did reading Brooke Shield's Down Came the Rain, though Armstrong's sarcasm and humor are much more to my taste. I'd recommend this to most anyone, but especially to new moms.”
Jennifer J wrote this review Sunday, August 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I know the reviews on this book are mixed. Critics slam Heather for the seeming lack of organization in the flow of the book and the flightiness of her narration. But let's remember what this book is about: the trials of a woman's life as she faced motherhood and a serious case of post-partum depression. As with real life, sometimes it's messy; sometimes it's clear and well-structured. But her writing itself -- her words that are real and thoughtful and smart and uproariously funny and poignant and inspiring and heartbreakingly honest and strong, all at the same time -- her writing is the redeeming factor and the reason I could not put this book down. A copy of this will be in my bookshelf forever.”
Andrea wrote this review Thursday, August 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I was a bit disappointed, because I've been a long time reader of dooce's blog and this didn't present anything I felt I hadn't read on her Web site.
Michael Armstrong wrote this review Monday, July 13 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
That said, Armstrong is a talented writer and you're right there with her through the laughter, heartbreak, and near insanity. ”
“Extremely funny and solidified my belief that I'm not cut out to be a parent.”
hmbscully wrote this review Monday, June 15 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I had never heard of Heather Armstrong prior to reading this book, I’ve never been to her blog and had no idea what dooce.com was. I do however enjoy books written by women who look at life with a lot of humor and a slightly skewed view of the world, Jen Lanacster, Laurie Notaro, and Chelsea Handler to name a few. So when I read the description of this book, a funny look at pregnancy, birth, motherhood and postpartum depression, all things I have dealt with, I felt sure it would be right my alley. In the end I was disappointed.
Ladyslott wrote this review Monday, May 11 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
There are a number of good things in this book, some laugh out loud moments. Her descriptions of pregnancy and the alien inside your body were extremely funny and her depiction of labor was right on target. Heather’s love of her daughter shines through on every page and the lovely letters she writes to her throughout the book were very sweet and poignant.
There were a number of not so good things in this book too. For one thing it reads just like blog postings, which apparently is where many of the stories in this book originated. There were far too many descriptions of poop and boobs, and way, way too many CAPITAL LETTERS and I grew tired of feeling like I was being screamed at. The post partum depression seemed glossed over a bit, in that it didn’t seem so terrible at times, not worse than many people have dealt with and then suddenly she is in a mental hospital, where she spends four days and comes home all better. It seemed very rushed and although I felt her pain it seemed to happen in a blink of an eye.
I believe Ms. Armstrong has a talent for writing and taking on a subject like the difficulties of motherhood and making you read it and nod your head in agreement, even when she is being way over the top. I would like to see her write an actual book and not just a rehash of her blog entries. I also think that for those looking for a book on postpartum depression Brooke Shields book Down Came the Rain would be far more informative.
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