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A review by codyisreading
Vacationland: True Stories from Painful Beaches by John Hodgman
5.0
Okay, so I'm a little biased when it comes to John Hodgman. From the Daily Show, to his podcast, to his frequent appearances on NPR and This American Life, and his trilogy of "COMPLETE WORLD KNOWLEDGE," John Hodgman just gets me. I love his writing, his humor, and his loquaciousness. I knew Vacationland: True Stories from Painful Beaches wouldn't be replicating his previous satirical almanacs, so I was curious to see how a deeper, more personalized collections of essays would reveal the man behind who helped shape my pop culture tastes.
I loved Vacationland (no surprise) but I didn't expect it to be so affecting. The trademark Hodgman wit is ever-present, yet he plumbs the well of his experiences to reflect on parenthood, career ambition, misguided tourism, the "Lovecraftian hellscape" at the bottom of a freshwater lake, friendship, his childhood, geographic relocation, indie rock, drug use, his own legacy, and finally, death. Maine is a big focus throughout the book, serving as a kind of catalyst for the writing ofVacationland.
I think this is the most poignant and sincere I've ever had the pleasure of reading/listening to/watching John Hodgman, and the book is all the better for it. By turning the pen on himself, he offers moments of humility, heartbreak, and genuine empathy. I can't wait to pick up a physical copy, but I highly recommend listening to Hodgman read his own work. His voice is inimitable, and I'm thankful for it.
I loved Vacationland (no surprise) but I didn't expect it to be so affecting. The trademark Hodgman wit is ever-present, yet he plumbs the well of his experiences to reflect on parenthood, career ambition, misguided tourism, the "Lovecraftian hellscape" at the bottom of a freshwater lake, friendship, his childhood, geographic relocation, indie rock, drug use, his own legacy, and finally, death. Maine is a big focus throughout the book, serving as a kind of catalyst for the writing ofVacationland.
I think this is the most poignant and sincere I've ever had the pleasure of reading/listening to/watching John Hodgman, and the book is all the better for it. By turning the pen on himself, he offers moments of humility, heartbreak, and genuine empathy. I can't wait to pick up a physical copy, but I highly recommend listening to Hodgman read his own work. His voice is inimitable, and I'm thankful for it.