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silenttwg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Shirley Jackson is back, detailing her life as a mother of four whirlwinds and wife to a college professor. Although written in a different era, her wit and humor carry through loud and proud in these pages, exposing a chaotic view into her family life.
I loved this one as much as the first one though some red flags about her husband were a little more noticeable this time round. I was reading portions out loud to the housemates and laughing out loud to myself, which is rare when reading alone. I couldn't help it though, some of the situations and responses to them were so outlandish and fantastic, you could only laugh.
I'm sad to have completed it but definitely see another reread in my future, or a few, because just like the first one, this is up there in my favorite books. Highly recommend and has only reaffirmed my decision to try to read something by Jackson each month.
I loved this one as much as the first one though some red flags about her husband were a little more noticeable this time round. I was reading portions out loud to the housemates and laughing out loud to myself, which is rare when reading alone. I couldn't help it though, some of the situations and responses to them were so outlandish and fantastic, you could only laugh.
I'm sad to have completed it but definitely see another reread in my future, or a few, because just like the first one, this is up there in my favorite books. Highly recommend and has only reaffirmed my decision to try to read something by Jackson each month.
lsparrow's review against another edition
3.0
not as funny as the first book but definitely many humorous and timeless parenting moments.
seullywillikers's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Jackson's ability to be so relevant and so funny is not to be overlooked. Raising Demons is a hilarious follow-up to Life Among the Savages and cements Jackson's legacy as the funniest creepy girl ever. Even though the stories related in this come from over 50 years ago, they still feel like a family that you know today. Highly recommend.
narzack's review
3.0
Very pleasant slice of life from one of the foundational American horror writers. Her kids are delightfully weird and fascinating, but boy, did her husband seem like a non-entity.
daffodil152's review
5.0
Very nearly as good as the first book, Life Among the Savages! Shirley Jackson is hilarious as usual, and I was so sad to officially reach the end of the book. Jackson writes about her, her husband and their children leaving Vermont to go on vacation in New York City: "It has long been my belief that in times of great stress, such as a four-day vacation, the thin veneer of family unity wears off almost at once, and we are revealed in our true personalities; Laurie, for instance, is a small-town mayor, Jannie a Games Mistress, Sally a vague, stern old lady watching the rest of us with remote disapproval, and Barry a small intrepid foot soldier, following unquestioningly and doggedly. The two nervous creatures hovering in the background, making small futile gestures and tending to laugh weakly, are of course, unmistakable. They are there to help with the luggage."
glitterkitter's review against another edition
4.0
She writes so well and I adore those kids, but it is so frustrating that she doesn't seem to notice how awful her husband is.
mehitabels's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot recommend Ms. Jackson's books enough for humor and family and a world that no longer exists. It's so appealing and her wry voice brings a glamour to 4 kids, innumerable animals, and old houses.
"Dewey, dewey," said Beekman, this being a combination word he used for a series of connected ideas, roughly translatable as: Observe my latest achievement, far surpassing all my previous works in this line, a great and personal triumph representing perhaps the most intelligent process ever accomplished by a child of my years. "Dewey," said Beekman pleasurably.
"Dewey, dewey," said Beekman, this being a combination word he used for a series of connected ideas, roughly translatable as: Observe my latest achievement, far surpassing all my previous works in this line, a great and personal triumph representing perhaps the most intelligent process ever accomplished by a child of my years. "Dewey," said Beekman pleasurably.
jamesdanielhorn's review
5.0
Excellent sequel to her other excellent fictionalized memoir. Both wry and sentimental, this book affects a hearty laugh but followed by a wistful smile. These two novels are delightful capsules of a bygone era yet timeless in their humanity. Savages edges out Demons in comedic moments but the reverse is true of tenderness. These two novels regularly come bundled together which I’d highly recommend as they are both essential.
sandhills_kt's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good light read that made me laugh out loud on multiple occasions.