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runlibrarianrun's review against another edition
3.0
More of a satirical memoir than I anticipated, but pretty good overall.
sarahmcgov's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed theses essays!!! I listened to it, and I think hearing everything in Maeve's accent and inflections really sucked me in. There were funny essays, mixed with serious points, and I loved them. Especially "Other People's Children". Would absolutely read anything Maeve puts out.
bjork24's review against another edition
3.0
I've loved Maeve on all the podcasts I've heard her on, but this book didn't live up to expectations. It was really hit or miss; not knowing if it wanted to be serious or funny. Not that a book can't be both, but it wasn't well balanced here. Even still, I could listen to Maeve read just about anything and be, at the very least, mildly enthralled from her voice alone. Her American accent is really quite good.
giantsdancefarm's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, but some essays much more than others. Some were LOL funny, and I intended in the beginning to rate it a solid 4 if not heading toward 5 stars as I began the book. Then there were others, and by the time I finished the book I opted for 3 stars.
This is a quick read and having borrowed from the library I wasn't out any $$.
This is a quick read and having borrowed from the library I wasn't out any $$.
veralynnpetersen's review against another edition
5.0
This book has been my favorite comedian autobiography so far because of how genuinely Maeve shares her stories and the stories of others. From heavy topics like border control and the betrayal of our country towards immigrants and refugees, to what it’s like to be single, not want children, and be obsessed with the positives of Instagram, Maeve shares her heartfelt feelings that make you laugh, cry, and feel empathy for others.
historynerd04's review against another edition
4.0
I originally shelved this on my “lolz” shelf. While there is a subtle humor throughout, it is much more thought provoking than bust a gut funny.
Maeve is best when she’s writing about the immigrant experience. I found those chapters to be heartbreakingly vital - all other chapters felt like insignificant fluff. I am saying this as an American; I WANT to hear about the immigrant experience. Granted, Maeve’s immigration is one of privilege and she points this out multiple times. However, she also highlights the stories of undocumented immigrants and DACA recipients and I felt myself wanting to know more. It took an immigrant to tell the story of other immigrants.
For me, the best chapters were “Aliens of Extraordinary Ability” and “Wildflowers”. You could probably read one 2 chapters by themselves without needing to read the rest of the book.
Finally, because this book is so topical, it’s already a bit out of date, despite having been published just this year. But I guess that’s what happens when the current news cycle moves at light speed.
All in all, when taking the 2 chapters mentioned above into consideration, this is a book that will appeal towards a certain portion of the population. Others will dismiss it as yet another case of someone from somewhere else sticking their nose in something that doesn’t concern them...and, once again, missing the forest for the trees. Because, unless you are indigenous, you, too, are from somewhere else.
Maeve is best when she’s writing about the immigrant experience. I found those chapters to be heartbreakingly vital - all other chapters felt like insignificant fluff. I am saying this as an American; I WANT to hear about the immigrant experience. Granted, Maeve’s immigration is one of privilege and she points this out multiple times. However, she also highlights the stories of undocumented immigrants and DACA recipients and I felt myself wanting to know more. It took an immigrant to tell the story of other immigrants.
For me, the best chapters were “Aliens of Extraordinary Ability” and “Wildflowers”. You could probably read one 2 chapters by themselves without needing to read the rest of the book.
Finally, because this book is so topical, it’s already a bit out of date, despite having been published just this year. But I guess that’s what happens when the current news cycle moves at light speed.
All in all, when taking the 2 chapters mentioned above into consideration, this is a book that will appeal towards a certain portion of the population. Others will dismiss it as yet another case of someone from somewhere else sticking their nose in something that doesn’t concern them...and, once again, missing the forest for the trees. Because, unless you are indigenous, you, too, are from somewhere else.
traceythompson's review against another edition
4.0
As an immigrant, sections of this book were very familiar and helpful. Higgins is incredibly funny, warm, and a great writer. I highly recommend the audiobook, to hear Higgins' lovely voice.
pghbekka's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable, but uneven. I loved the first several essays, and felt bogged down in the middle. Some of the later ones were extraordinary.
bmwpalmer's review against another edition
3.0
Maeve Higgins is almost always the best thing about WWDTM whenever she's on it, so I enjoyed hearing more from her in this memoir/essay collection. I liked the more serious, substantial chapters the most- she has interesting things to say about immigration and aunt-hood. Other chapters weren't really my thing.
dunneniamh's review against another edition
4.0
Any book that includes the phrase 'learned from the ultimate babe, Daniel O'Connell' is one that automatically gets five stars from me. Also the fact that she talks extensively about people pronouncing her name wrong is something that I just feel on a deeply spiritual level.
This collection of essays, combing Maeve's musings on immigration and the life of being an immigrant to the United States (if not a privileged one at that). I find thoughts on the Irish diaspora so interesting, and this one is written with such sweetness, comfort and genuine hilarity that it'll make you laugh and want a hug from your grandma all at the same time. Higgins is perhaps one of the funniest writers working today, and this book only proves her prowess with the written word. She writes frankly and with such skill that it makes this collection of essays immensely readable. It'll make you feel more positive about the world, even if you're reading about her moments of misfortune.
This collection of essays, combing Maeve's musings on immigration and the life of being an immigrant to the United States (if not a privileged one at that). I find thoughts on the Irish diaspora so interesting, and this one is written with such sweetness, comfort and genuine hilarity that it'll make you laugh and want a hug from your grandma all at the same time. Higgins is perhaps one of the funniest writers working today, and this book only proves her prowess with the written word. She writes frankly and with such skill that it makes this collection of essays immensely readable. It'll make you feel more positive about the world, even if you're reading about her moments of misfortune.