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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I have …. Thoughts. Too many to share here. Parts of the book were funny. But ….
This was a decent enough listen, well-written and nicely narrated, but there is a LOT of kid/parenting related material, which is not that interesting to me.
I picked this book up while browsing the library. I am probably not the target audience as I am a good deal older and so are my children. However,
I could totally relate to the feeling of being a new mother and the first few years of motherhood. The Hero’s Journey by Joseph Campbell comparison was an interesting way to frame the book. Some reviews criticized her as complaining over trivial matters Did these people NOT read the front and back flaps of the book jacket? This woman is a comedy writer - expect funny.
I could totally relate to the feeling of being a new mother and the first few years of motherhood. The Hero’s Journey by Joseph Campbell comparison was an interesting way to frame the book. Some reviews criticized her as complaining over trivial matters Did these people NOT read the front and back flaps of the book jacket? This woman is a comedy writer - expect funny.
There's no denying Jessi Klein is both a gifted writer and talented comedian. I'll Show Myself Out is not short on excellence in those two areas. That said, as is inevitable with any anthology, some essays here were way stronger than others.
There were essays here that had me in tears because I connected with them so much. They were raw and poignant. They appealed to the universal truths and pains that come with motherhood.
On the other hand, there were essays at which I could not help by roll my eyes. I am absolutely here for someone using resources to the best of their ability, but a few essays turned me off in Klein's desire to come off as the 'everywoman' when it is clear her resources are much different than most.
That said, it was an enjoyable collection and the writing is fantastic.
There were essays here that had me in tears because I connected with them so much. They were raw and poignant. They appealed to the universal truths and pains that come with motherhood.
On the other hand, there were essays at which I could not help by roll my eyes. I am absolutely here for someone using resources to the best of their ability, but a few essays turned me off in Klein's desire to come off as the 'everywoman' when it is clear her resources are much different than most.
That said, it was an enjoyable collection and the writing is fantastic.
Thanks for the rec, Joan! This is a very hilarious, relatable read for the moms. I found myself laughing and nodding at the oh so accurate parenting tales (and in some cases, remembering/crying over those rough postpartum days!)
I’m nearly three months into motherhood and this book was what I needed to read at this moment in time. It was hilarious, it was gut wrenching, and it was the overview I needed to know what is coming next. I will be revisiting this book as my daughter gets older to be reminded that I am walking in stride with many other mothers in this funny, ridiculous, and heroic journey, and to get some tips on how to make it a *little* easier.
Maybe Jessi and I could be friends? That’s how I felt when I read this book. So much of what she discusses was very relatable, and going through similar pandemic experiences with young kids brought up a lot for my own memoir. I’m glad I listened to the audiobook, very funny!
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Well....I loved the idea of motherhood as hero's journey.
But I picked this up knowing nothing about it (it was mentioned on a podcast I listened to ages ago and I'd long since forgotten everything said about it) and I didn't realize that it was a collection of humorous (?) essays. I don't seem to get along well with humorous essays (for example, I can see that Samantha Irby's "Wow No Thank You" is objectively good, but I just didn't enjoy reading it). I guess, academic that I am, I was looking for more searing, theory-informed feminist critique and less Seinfeld.
Plus, I'm in the blissful early days of parenthood right now and I don't have much room for someone else's stories of their experiences of anxiety and drudgery of motherhood.
But I picked this up knowing nothing about it (it was mentioned on a podcast I listened to ages ago and I'd long since forgotten everything said about it) and I didn't realize that it was a collection of humorous (?) essays. I don't seem to get along well with humorous essays (for example, I can see that Samantha Irby's "Wow No Thank You" is objectively good, but I just didn't enjoy reading it). I guess, academic that I am, I was looking for more searing, theory-informed feminist critique and less Seinfeld.
Plus, I'm in the blissful early days of parenthood right now and I don't have much room for someone else's stories of their experiences of anxiety and drudgery of motherhood.