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Liked It “Non-fiction essays. Pretty good. Funny. Similar to and almost as good as David Sedaris.” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Non-fiction essays. Pretty good. Funny. Similar to and almost as good as David Sedaris. ”
Jesse O wrote this review 9 days ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“An essay collection from a politically conscious David Sedaris. Kyle lent this to me, he said it best: "I want to hang out with this guy-but he's gay. I don't know if he'll want to suck me off after every enlightened debate we have." A high point is the one about the penis trick show. Bizarre-only David Rakoff could come away from an experience like that with something insightful to say. He still isn't allowed to suck me off though.”
Daniel H wrote this review Wednesday, September 16 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Subtitled: The Indignities of Coach Class, The Torments of Low Thread Count, The Never-Ending Quest for Artisanal Olive Oil, and Other First World Problems
ghost of a rose wrote this review Tuesday, August 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I was disappointed in this book at first, but that was through no fault of its own. For some reason, I thought it was travel writing, which is one of my favorite genres. I guess it was the mention of coach class in the subtitle . . . But once I got over my misconception, I did enjoy the book.
What it actually is, is a collection of humorous essays by a gay journalist. I mention his gayness because that is a major theme of this book. Rakoff is so stereotypically the effeminate flaming gay that I'm still trying to decide if that is his real personality or something he purposely exaggerates as an amusing satire. Even his voice fits that stereotype (I heard this on audiobook, which is read by the author) - so perfectly, that at first I thought it must be an actor. Well, whether it's for real (in which case he is one of those rare people who enjoys laughing at himself) or a put-on, it is funny. Rakoff is caustic, catty, whiny - and always witty.
Aside from his obvious intelligence, the other thing that makes this book interesting is his choice of subjects. Some of them are really bizarre, such as his flight on Hooters Airlines, a tour of a cryogenics lab where they store frozen heads for future resurrection, a gay Republicans political group, and especially, a play about - and featuring - penises. Others are more serious, such as his naturalization process to become an American citizen (he was formerly Canadian), being a passenger on one of the last flights of the Concorde, New York City in the aftermath of 9/11. Then there are those that cover standard material, but from his uniquely twisted perspective: fine dining, reporting on a Playboy shoot on an exclusive private island, covering the couture fashion shows in Paris in which the designers unveil their lines for the upcoming year, a fasting/liquid diet he tried (in which Rakoff gives us more information that we may want to know.)
I was pleased and intrigued to "meet" a male who felt exactly the same way I do about Playboy photos and strip shows (both male strippers and female strippers, on both our parts!) LOL
Don't Get Too Comfortable is pretty funny in a sarcastic sort of way, but be warned: it's for adults only, and not for the easily offended. His writing reminds me a lot of David Sedaris.
(222 pages)”
“This was recommended to me by a customer at my bookstore looking for "David Sedaris, David Rakoff and those NPR people". Hilarious. If you like humorous essays and David Sedaris, you'll like this.”
Jazzarina wrote this review Thursday, April 9 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I loved this more than his first. There was a paragraph in J.D.V, M.I.A. about him being anti-fun that makes me happy every time I think about it.”
Lusus Naturae wrote this review Thursday, November 20 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“David Rakoff is a brilliantly witty writer, often scathing, and you'll fall for his sarcasm time and time again. Puts way too many things in perspective — a great airplane book. ”
Sara wrote this review Wednesday, July 2 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
0 of 1 members found this review helpful“He called Barbara Bush a 'stupid f___ing cow' --- disgusting book”
Deborah A wrote this review Wednesday, June 18 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Terribly entertaining book stuffed with laugh out loud bits that are scathing with regard to the upper echelons in society. However, David Rakoff doesn't really stop after poking the bourgeosie with his literary stick. He provides a social commentary on the rapidly becoming fringe element of the United States, the middle class, as well. This book was a quick, enjoyable read that makes me want to read more David Rakoff. His wit is sharp and quick and his personality manifests itself many different times and in different ways throughout the various essays that make up the book. Bereft of academic jargon and pedantry, this book will leave you thinking and laughing. ”
LadySpring13 wrote this review Monday, November 19 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Being a friend of Sarah Vowell, and having seen him on "The Daily Show", I expected this book to be one of my favorites, but it's not. Some of the essays are good, but after a while, the tone of the book seemed to me more "whiny" (and not in a good way) than ironic.
Eren wrote this review Friday, October 5 2007. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
I will read some more of him as I really like his contributions to "This American Life" before I give a complete thumbs down.”
