Reviews

Take the Cannoli by Sarah Vowell

bookwoman1967's review against another edition

2.0

My least favorite Sarah Vowell book. Probably because it's short auto-biographical sketches that I think have probably been recycled from elsewhere. I am much more into her more historical / narrative stuff. As she says in Lafayette in the Somewhat United State, she's really more of a "historian-adjacent, narrative nonfiction wise guy."

mindsplinters's review

2.0

Some essays grabbed me but others just kind of fell flat - mostly when it felt like she was trying a little too hard to be edgy or literary or, as she admits one outlet called her, curmudgeonly.  It was uneven for me but not so much that I won't try the other book of hers I have before I make my final decision on her.

melissa_who_reads's review

3.0

Enjoyed it. Essays on being an American, and all the contradictions that entails. Most difficult was the essay about doing "Heritage Tourism" along the Trail of Tears -- her struggles with what happened to the Cherokees along the Trail conflict with her knowledge that the tribe were slave-holders ... an extended meditation on the inherent contradictions of being American.

In other books, she has a theme running through -- this one is more a collection of essays written at various times, many for This American Life. Speaking of which, there's a pretty funny essay on Ira Glass attempting to teach her to drive.

The title comes from the line in the Godfather "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

saranies's review

5.0

No surprise that most of these essays are based on pieces that she did for This American Life. Very humorous and well written, I actually laughed out loud (and certainly broke into a smirk) at many of her cleverly worded phrases. A fast read, and one that works equally well in print as it is heard.

dayseraph's review

3.0

This is a collection of short essays by Sarah Vowell - and as collections often are, this one is uneven. Some stories are very funny, and some of them you just have to power through. Regardless, it was a light, enjoyable read, but ultimately, not that satisfying.

mehitabels's review

4.0

"When I think about my relationship with America, I feel like a battered wife: Yeah, he knocks me around a lot, but boy, he sure can dance."

bikes_books_yarn's review

4.0

I learned of Sarah Vowell when I used to listen to This American Life on NPR all the time. Her stories were funny but still had substance. And that voice! I can't read her books without hearing her voice.

jrobles76's review

4.0

Great collection of essays by Sarah Vowell, one of my favorite humans ever. My favorite essay is when she learns to drive, in her mid-twenties, and is taught by Ira Glass, of This American Life. Very funny. Listening to This American Life every week, I can totally hear Ira getting after her when she tries to quit. If you're a fan of Vowell and haven't already read this one, then you must.

zzelda's review against another edition

funny medium-paced

4.5

Heheheh very laugh out loud funny. Just a fantastic writer. Not 5/5 bc short stories are harder for me to get into 

amberhayward's review against another edition

4.0

Sarah Vowell should come out for ice cream with me. I think she would like it. Or I know I would like it at least.

This book contains ultimate nerdiness of obscure kinds. Obsessions with The Godfather, dressing up in Gothic attire for research, etc etc. She is cranky but hilarious which I think is how one because endearing. As long as you are talking to people who agree with you on the subjects that make you cranky, I guess.