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monalyisha 's review for:
Unreliable Narrator: Me, Myself, and Impostor Syndrome
by Aparna Nancherla
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
In recent years, there’s no show I’ve been more obsessed with than “Joe Pera Talks with You.” I’m mentioning this because I subscribe to Jo Firestone’s newsletter; she plays Sarah on the show. Sometimes, she lets her friends (and fellow comedians) take over her newsletter for her. One such installment was written by Aparna Nancherla. In it, she mentions her forthcoming book. This one. I can’t say I recommend the book as much as the show but…it was okay.
I wasn’t familiar with Aparna Nancherla’s act before reading her memoir. She struck me as a relatable, vulnerable, honest, and brave — in utterly mundane ways, which I don’t mean as a criticism! I felt especially proud of her as I listened to her speak about her sexuality (she self-identifies as “graysexual,” which isn’t representation I often encounter).
My favorite essay was “No Comment” (about being online). In a particularly quippy moment, she writes, “That’s right! Now you can stay on the internet even if your whole deal is how you’re sick of the internet. I guess you really CAN have it all! And by “all,” I mean “The Void.” Given that I’ve also deleted all the apps from my phone recently (in a desperate bid to reclaim my time, attention, and mental quietude), I was primed to enjoy this chapter.
However, I caught myself zoning out and feeling bored at least half the time. There’s a piece early on that she admits her editor “wanted her to cut.” She should have listened! 🙈 Her writing in the second half of the book struck me as a lot stronger.
But, as Aparna half-jokes (in a chapter largely about race), “My underlying hope is the chance to be just so-so for all.” Dream achieved, bud!
The truth is, I think my rating falls *just* north of that. I regret that my review probably wouldn’t do much to help her overcome her Imposter Syndrome. The good news (for both of us?) is that I plan to seek out her stand-up!
I’m glad the book gave her the chance to earnestly represent all of herself. I think her thoughtful and intimate musings will resonate with some readers profoundly. Her sensibilities certainly align with mine in a lot of ways. I especially connected with her call for more “grace and expansiveness” when interacting with and judging others. Hopefully, this review conveys at least a little of that!
I wasn’t familiar with Aparna Nancherla’s act before reading her memoir. She struck me as a relatable, vulnerable, honest, and brave — in utterly mundane ways, which I don’t mean as a criticism! I felt especially proud of her as I listened to her speak about her sexuality (she self-identifies as “graysexual,” which isn’t representation I often encounter).
My favorite essay was “No Comment” (about being online). In a particularly quippy moment, she writes, “That’s right! Now you can stay on the internet even if your whole deal is how you’re sick of the internet. I guess you really CAN have it all! And by “all,” I mean “The Void.” Given that I’ve also deleted all the apps from my phone recently (in a desperate bid to reclaim my time, attention, and mental quietude), I was primed to enjoy this chapter.
However, I caught myself zoning out and feeling bored at least half the time. There’s a piece early on that she admits her editor “wanted her to cut.” She should have listened! 🙈 Her writing in the second half of the book struck me as a lot stronger.
But, as Aparna half-jokes (in a chapter largely about race), “My underlying hope is the chance to be just so-so for all.” Dream achieved, bud!
The truth is, I think my rating falls *just* north of that. I regret that my review probably wouldn’t do much to help her overcome her Imposter Syndrome. The good news (for both of us?) is that I plan to seek out her stand-up!
I’m glad the book gave her the chance to earnestly represent all of herself. I think her thoughtful and intimate musings will resonate with some readers profoundly. Her sensibilities certainly align with mine in a lot of ways. I especially connected with her call for more “grace and expansiveness” when interacting with and judging others. Hopefully, this review conveys at least a little of that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Drug use, Misogyny, Racism, Suicidal thoughts