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A review by mfreitas
Depth Takes a Holiday by Sandra Tsing Loh
2.0
After hearing Loh reader her short story "Bad Sex with Bud Kemp" on NPR's This American Life, I ordered this book, eager to hear more of Loh's dry and witty observations on society and popular culture. Although the content and style of this book is consistent with what I heard on NPR, this book failed to meet my expectations.
Focusing on her experiences as an overeducated, underpaid, writer/artist living in Los Angeles, Loh does an excellent job of capturing a specific time and place -- perhaps too good of a job. Loh's book is loaded with cultural references that can only be understood by readers who are familiar with L.A. and its arts and culture scene. Though these allusions don't make the stories unintelligible, they do keep the reader at arm's length from the material. Consequently, many of the essays come across as an anecdote that should end with the phrase "I guess you had to be there."
However,this problem should not discourage prospective readers. Depth Takes a Holiday still entertains readers with tales of attempting to lead an adult life in the post-collegiate years that are told from an Everygirl perspective.
Focusing on her experiences as an overeducated, underpaid, writer/artist living in Los Angeles, Loh does an excellent job of capturing a specific time and place -- perhaps too good of a job. Loh's book is loaded with cultural references that can only be understood by readers who are familiar with L.A. and its arts and culture scene. Though these allusions don't make the stories unintelligible, they do keep the reader at arm's length from the material. Consequently, many of the essays come across as an anecdote that should end with the phrase "I guess you had to be there."
However,this problem should not discourage prospective readers. Depth Takes a Holiday still entertains readers with tales of attempting to lead an adult life in the post-collegiate years that are told from an Everygirl perspective.