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georgiemaher's review against another edition
3.0
Nothing groundbreaking but a nice little palate cleanser after some heavier books. Some of the chapters were stronger than others - I particularly liked the essays (short stories?) about his experience with robodebt and being a tour guide in the outback. The book equivalent of having a beer with someone who has lots of funny anecdotes.
drillvoice's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book on the personal encouragement of the author, Robert Skinner, which I suppose makes it difficult for me to write an impartial review.
But in fairness I think anyone who reads this would probably end up feeling like they know the author - the tone is very conversational, like a friend spinning a yarn over a cup of tea (or, more likely in Skinner's case, a beer). So while I do know Robert, I feel like most who finish the book but also end up feeling like they know him.
The book is a collection of short stories - I'd call them less "essays" and more "vignettes". Skinner takes various episodes from his life and turns them into delightful stories, through a combination of having just led an interesting life and got up to adventures, and also having a great way with words and a knack for the perfect simile (better than Terry Pratchett, for example). Stories often stem from his blend of unwillingness and inability to retain a job, discussing his reflections on menial jobs, his (mis)adventures in some less menial jobs, and the general trials of getting by on little-to-no money. But somehow he seems to lead a more rewarding although somewhat less comfortable life than me, perhaps I can learn from this.
Favourite stories included the epilogue, about hitchhiking, and also his reflections on getting a robodebt, which seem very timely. Really I think the robodebt story is spot-on because when you read it against the background of the government having completely fucked up, broken the law, and waged a bureaucratic campaign against a whole bunch of people on low incomes, it can't help but make you feel rather more sympathetic to the guy.
There aren't that many stories and most are fairly short, and the font is quite large. Perhaps this is because, as Skinner's own stories make clear, he took years to pull the content of the book together and so they had to pad it out a bit. But I am sort of OK with this - I've read many books that are too long, that I have no interest in finishing, and maybe a good book, like a good board game, ends in a way that leaves you wanting more.
But in fairness I think anyone who reads this would probably end up feeling like they know the author - the tone is very conversational, like a friend spinning a yarn over a cup of tea (or, more likely in Skinner's case, a beer). So while I do know Robert, I feel like most who finish the book but also end up feeling like they know him.
The book is a collection of short stories - I'd call them less "essays" and more "vignettes". Skinner takes various episodes from his life and turns them into delightful stories, through a combination of having just led an interesting life and got up to adventures, and also having a great way with words and a knack for the perfect simile (better than Terry Pratchett, for example). Stories often stem from his blend of unwillingness and inability to retain a job, discussing his reflections on menial jobs, his (mis)adventures in some less menial jobs, and the general trials of getting by on little-to-no money. But somehow he seems to lead a more rewarding although somewhat less comfortable life than me, perhaps I can learn from this.
Favourite stories included the epilogue, about hitchhiking, and also his reflections on getting a robodebt, which seem very timely. Really I think the robodebt story is spot-on because when you read it against the background of the government having completely fucked up, broken the law, and waged a bureaucratic campaign against a whole bunch of people on low incomes, it can't help but make you feel rather more sympathetic to the guy.
There aren't that many stories and most are fairly short, and the font is quite large. Perhaps this is because, as Skinner's own stories make clear, he took years to pull the content of the book together and so they had to pad it out a bit. But I am sort of OK with this - I've read many books that are too long, that I have no interest in finishing, and maybe a good book, like a good board game, ends in a way that leaves you wanting more.
essjay1's review against another edition
4.0
Funny, terrifying (the hitchhiking story), insightful, lovely writing. Robert Skinner is a terrific storyteller.