A review by alisonhori
To Rise Again at a Decent Hour by Joshua Ferris

4.0

I am really not sure how to rank this book or how to describe it or even what it is really about. I think I liked it....parts of it were very clever and really fun to read and I think overall the humor did successfully balance the overall depression or maybe despair that surrounds this book. I was expecting a funny book as the rec's I read ahead of time seemed to focus on the humor...but overall, this is a book about surviving the suicide of one's parent, about what is identity (and identity theft), about people searching to find a family or a tribe or anywhere to fit in and belong It is about the appeal of cults, of religion, of tradition. I think it is also about living with at least a touch of mental illness. Strange books...parts of it were really relatable and wonderful, parts left me really cold. The obsessive nature of the main character was fascinating....the endless religious diatribes were uncomfortable to read. My very, very favorite part were the main characters discussions with Betzy...funny and touching. Very interesting book.