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katethecatlady's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Fatphobia, Racism, Homophobia, Pregnancy, and Body shaming
jessthanthree's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Body shaming
Minor: Lesbophobia, Rape, Homophobia, and Racism
crufts's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
I read Bossypants shortly after reading Augusten Burroughs' Magical Thinking, which is mostly comprised of mean jokes (review linked here).
Bossypants couldn't be more dissimilar, and I mean that as a compliment.
From the very start of the book (which opens with "Welcome Friend"), I found Tina Fey's writing style to be charming, funny and insightful. Having only heard of her as a film actress (e.g. in Date Night), it was interesting to learn about her (much longer) career as a comedy writer.
Unexpectedly, I was again reminded of Magical Thinking's mean streak when Tina describes a theatre school friend, Tristan: Tristan would egg me on to trash-talk the little blondie who had "stolen" my boyfriend ... This is the kind of mean stuff Tristan and I bonded over. Clearly it's very toxic. ... Like mean meth. (p29)
Unlike Augusten Burroughs in Magical Thinking, I liked how Tina Fey had the self-awareness to look back on these events and recognize that it was mean and ultimately bad for her.
The other stark difference is that unlike Augusten Burroughs, who mentally insults most people he meets, Tina likes people and it shows: I love [my co-actors] very much. (p124)
And that made this book feel fun! It was never mean-witty, but actually silly, funny-witty! Like Tina Fey is chatting with you over coffee.
I don't know, maybe I'm just impressed to find an autobiography that discusses personal challenges yet remains lighthearted, but this was a great book.
Bossypants couldn't be more dissimilar, and I mean that as a compliment.
From the very start of the book (which opens with "Welcome Friend"), I found Tina Fey's writing style to be charming, funny and insightful. Having only heard of her as a film actress (e.g. in Date Night), it was interesting to learn about her (much longer) career as a comedy writer.
Unexpectedly, I was again reminded of Magical Thinking's mean streak when Tina describes a theatre school friend, Tristan: Tristan would egg me on to trash-talk the little blondie who had "stolen" my boyfriend ... This is the kind of mean stuff Tristan and I bonded over. Clearly it's very toxic. ... Like mean meth. (p29)
Unlike Augusten Burroughs in Magical Thinking, I liked how Tina Fey had the self-awareness to look back on these events and recognize that it was mean and ultimately bad for her.
The other stark difference is that unlike Augusten Burroughs, who mentally insults most people he meets, Tina likes people and it shows: I love [my co-actors] very much. (p124)
And that made this book feel fun! It was never mean-witty, but actually silly, funny-witty! Like Tina Fey is chatting with you over coffee.
I don't know, maybe I'm just impressed to find an autobiography that discusses personal challenges yet remains lighthearted, but this was a great book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy, Racism, and Homophobia
helenferg's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Homophobia
essie__reads's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
1.0
If a topic exists that a
privileged-cis-hetero-white woman should be mindful of, or at least educated on and cautious when speaking about, Tina Fey made an offensive joke about it in this book. I mean there were homophobic comments and slurs, racist comments, ableism, offensive comments about mental health issues, offensive religious comments(and not just towards christianity), some very backwards feminist views, etc. all disguised as jokes. YIKES. I was not a fan of this memoir. I can't imagine this book was recieved well when it was published 10 years ago- but it has really not aged well. I do NOT recommend this to anyone.
privileged-cis-hetero-white woman should be mindful of, or at least educated on and cautious when speaking about, Tina Fey made an offensive joke about it in this book. I mean there were homophobic comments and slurs, racist comments, ableism, offensive comments about mental health issues, offensive religious comments(and not just towards christianity), some very backwards feminist views, etc. all disguised as jokes. YIKES. I was not a fan of this memoir. I can't imagine this book was recieved well when it was published 10 years ago- but it has really not aged well. I do NOT recommend this to anyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cursing, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Sexism
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