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khuizenga's review against another edition
3.0
As in most comedic presentations, some hit home and others fell flat for me. I came to the book for the description of painful beaches, and these were the highlights since I am particularly fond of "nature tried to kill me" stories. I listened to the audiobook too, and this probably helped a lot of the humor since Hodgman was reading it himself. This was a great listen when commuting to and from my own painful beaches.
maa_pix's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book immensely. It didn't hurt, I'm sure, that I'm somewhat of a doppleganger of Hodgman: close in age, close in background, close in our views on life. (I have less fame and money, though.) The book presents different snapshots from his life in western Massachusetts and coastline Maine, and is in many ways a pleasing ramble more than a specific treatise with an objective.
As I was reading the book, my thought was, "This reminds me a lot of Mike Birbiglia." When I got to the closing acknowledgments, I found Birbiglia was the first one Hodgman calls out as an inspiration for the book. Hodgman is a bit less neurotic and a bit more intellectual than Birbiglia, but the flavor is much the same. He has a pension for a self-depreciating point of view, but never takes it too far or relies on it too much. He overall seems to have a generous outlook on other people (at least in the long term). Only his negative takes on the Great Lakes and fudge rubbed me the wrong way, but those minor shortcomings were easily forgiven.
This book made me laugh out loud more than once. That's one of the best recommendations I can give. Plus it's a short book, so even if you don't fully take to Hodgman's writing, it won't cost you much to give it a try.
As I was reading the book, my thought was, "This reminds me a lot of Mike Birbiglia." When I got to the closing acknowledgments, I found Birbiglia was the first one Hodgman calls out as an inspiration for the book. Hodgman is a bit less neurotic and a bit more intellectual than Birbiglia, but the flavor is much the same. He has a pension for a self-depreciating point of view, but never takes it too far or relies on it too much. He overall seems to have a generous outlook on other people (at least in the long term). Only his negative takes on the Great Lakes and fudge rubbed me the wrong way, but those minor shortcomings were easily forgiven.
This book made me laugh out loud more than once. That's one of the best recommendations I can give. Plus it's a short book, so even if you don't fully take to Hodgman's writing, it won't cost you much to give it a try.
codyisreading's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, so I'm a little biased when it comes to John Hodgman. From the Daily Show, to his podcast, to his frequent appearances on NPR and This American Life, and his trilogy of "COMPLETE WORLD KNOWLEDGE," John Hodgman just gets me. I love his writing, his humor, and his loquaciousness. I knew Vacationland: True Stories from Painful Beaches wouldn't be replicating his previous satirical almanacs, so I was curious to see how a deeper, more personalized collections of essays would reveal the man behind who helped shape my pop culture tastes.
I loved Vacationland (no surprise) but I didn't expect it to be so affecting. The trademark Hodgman wit is ever-present, yet he plumbs the well of his experiences to reflect on parenthood, career ambition, misguided tourism, the "Lovecraftian hellscape" at the bottom of a freshwater lake, friendship, his childhood, geographic relocation, indie rock, drug use, his own legacy, and finally, death. Maine is a big focus throughout the book, serving as a kind of catalyst for the writing ofVacationland.
I think this is the most poignant and sincere I've ever had the pleasure of reading/listening to/watching John Hodgman, and the book is all the better for it. By turning the pen on himself, he offers moments of humility, heartbreak, and genuine empathy. I can't wait to pick up a physical copy, but I highly recommend listening to Hodgman read his own work. His voice is inimitable, and I'm thankful for it.
I loved Vacationland (no surprise) but I didn't expect it to be so affecting. The trademark Hodgman wit is ever-present, yet he plumbs the well of his experiences to reflect on parenthood, career ambition, misguided tourism, the "Lovecraftian hellscape" at the bottom of a freshwater lake, friendship, his childhood, geographic relocation, indie rock, drug use, his own legacy, and finally, death. Maine is a big focus throughout the book, serving as a kind of catalyst for the writing ofVacationland.
I think this is the most poignant and sincere I've ever had the pleasure of reading/listening to/watching John Hodgman, and the book is all the better for it. By turning the pen on himself, he offers moments of humility, heartbreak, and genuine empathy. I can't wait to pick up a physical copy, but I highly recommend listening to Hodgman read his own work. His voice is inimitable, and I'm thankful for it.
zephyr42's review against another edition
4.0
John Hodgman's work continues to mature and weave in complex social issues while remaining insightful and self-deprecating (in the most jovial manner possible). This is a book to read aloud and share with friends when the world needs to be taken down a notch or two.
dcliz's review against another edition
4.0
I was looking for a quick, light read and Vacationland did not disappoint. I appreciated Hodgeman's sharp, witty writing and self-awareness. Although I've never lived in Brooklyn, I could envision exactly the Park Slope Food Coop that he has never joined because he has "heard too often of the shamings that are doled out if you request that they stock the morally incorrect brand of hummus." Perhaps I enjoyed it more because I grew up in Connecticut, not too far from the part of Massachusetts described in the book, and spent summer vacations in Maine, and know exactly why you'd want to be able to buy that brand of hummus, morally incorrect that it may be.
erstreetman's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great little audio book read by the author. An easy one for my commute, and I learned a lot of things about the far North East. I dunno, I like John hodgman, it was fun!
dodgson's review against another edition
5.0
I can't think of a book I've ever read that I'd recommend more widely or effusively than the first half of this book. (The second half is merely excellent.)