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bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
I thought these were new works from the author, so I was a little disappointed to realize it was a collection of previously published columns from the Washington Post. Still, though I'd read a few, I'd missed a lot of them, and since I always jump at the chance to read one of Petri's columns, I was happy to have a collection.
These columns are both hilarious and sad. Some of them had me in stitches, crying with laughter, but they're only funny because they're wacky satire of things that are actually happening in this country--horrible things. For instance, one of the columns is a truly imaginative and wild shopping trip to the world's most expensive furniture store, and it was inspired by the obscene amounts of money some of Trump's cabinet appointees have spent on the taxpayers' dime. Another was an extremely amusing rewrite of some famous historical quotes to make them appropriate for a woman to use during a business meeting, which is only funny because of the heavy penalties levied against women for exhibiting the same assertiveness and drive as men.
What's sad is that I had trouble following some of them because there has been so much change and upheaval during this administration. When she writes about Sean Spicer, it's funny, but in a distant way, since it's become pretty hard for me to remember what Sean Spicer was like, given that he was multiple press secretaries ago. The book just made me even more aware of how much "action" has been packed into the years between 2016 and today.
Laughter is good medicine--as long as you don't let it make you forget how angry you are. These columns are pointed, meant to lay bare the absurdities of things like wondering how the clothes of a rape victim might have contributed to the crime committed against her. Or how no matter how you parent, someone on the internet will be sure to tell you how wrong you are in your approach. Or how one woman can use a private e-mail server, leading to calls for her to be locked up, while another woman from the opposite side of the political spectrum can use one and no one bats an eye. It's not at all hard for me to imagine one of these pieces showing up in a history book one day to help illustrate how messed up the United States was between 2016 and 2020. I only hope that if this is the case, the students reading them will be in a much better world because the country while have finally wised up and corrected course.
These columns are both hilarious and sad. Some of them had me in stitches, crying with laughter, but they're only funny because they're wacky satire of things that are actually happening in this country--horrible things. For instance, one of the columns is a truly imaginative and wild shopping trip to the world's most expensive furniture store, and it was inspired by the obscene amounts of money some of Trump's cabinet appointees have spent on the taxpayers' dime. Another was an extremely amusing rewrite of some famous historical quotes to make them appropriate for a woman to use during a business meeting, which is only funny because of the heavy penalties levied against women for exhibiting the same assertiveness and drive as men.
What's sad is that I had trouble following some of them because there has been so much change and upheaval during this administration. When she writes about Sean Spicer, it's funny, but in a distant way, since it's become pretty hard for me to remember what Sean Spicer was like, given that he was multiple press secretaries ago. The book just made me even more aware of how much "action" has been packed into the years between 2016 and today.
Laughter is good medicine--as long as you don't let it make you forget how angry you are. These columns are pointed, meant to lay bare the absurdities of things like wondering how the clothes of a rape victim might have contributed to the crime committed against her. Or how no matter how you parent, someone on the internet will be sure to tell you how wrong you are in your approach. Or how one woman can use a private e-mail server, leading to calls for her to be locked up, while another woman from the opposite side of the political spectrum can use one and no one bats an eye. It's not at all hard for me to imagine one of these pieces showing up in a history book one day to help illustrate how messed up the United States was between 2016 and 2020. I only hope that if this is the case, the students reading them will be in a much better world because the country while have finally wised up and corrected course.
asc6x's review against another edition
4.0
Its crazy that her dad was a representative of the republican party, and i like to think that she waited for him to doe before she started writing about politics, and reminding us that politicians are cute without the genocide.
diziet's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Excellent social and political commentary. Many poignant essays that gets point across about misogyny, racism, politics and society in that hard-hitting, uncomfortable and sneaky way that is reserved for good satire.
Several lol moments and also a profound feeling of sadness and incredulity that some of these things really happened - and people cheered them on.
Quoting from the Introduction:
“We live in an age when anything is possible. Those aforementioned cretins would phrase this another way: Things that once seemed unthinkable are now commonplace. Maybe that sounds bad to you. If it does, you are wrong. Also, you are a coward. Coward! I will explain to you all the wonderful things about being alive today very slowly and carefully so that even a child could comprehend them, keeping in mind that I despise children.”
Essays ranged between 3 and 5 stars - so a solid 4 star rating.
Several lol moments and also a profound feeling of sadness and incredulity that some of these things really happened - and people cheered them on.
Quoting from the Introduction:
“We live in an age when anything is possible. Those aforementioned cretins would phrase this another way: Things that once seemed unthinkable are now commonplace. Maybe that sounds bad to you. If it does, you are wrong. Also, you are a coward. Coward! I will explain to you all the wonderful things about being alive today very slowly and carefully so that even a child could comprehend them, keeping in mind that I despise children.”
Essays ranged between 3 and 5 stars - so a solid 4 star rating.
hannahleebibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and it did not disappoint. Just to be clear, supporters of President Trump will likely find this fiercely unapologetic collection of satirical essays to be offensive. However, far from being simply a compilation of biting partisan complaints, this book provides a look into the very real possibility that one can see another’s perspective while still holding a strong opposite opinion. Furthermore, the immensely talented author shows how crucial the employment of comedy and self-expression via writing are to the stress relief process. Overall, I highly recommend this book to those who are not Trump fans or those who are his supporters but don’t mind exploring insights into an opposing viewpoint.
brigid_'s review against another edition
medium-paced
3.75
Better as essays taken one by one instead of as a book
jsisco's review against another edition
5.0
Almost as funny as it is powerful. Wonderful writing with great points mixed in all the humor and satire. Would recommend to anyone.
jameyanne's review against another edition
4.0
I don't think I would have found this as funny as I did last week, but reading it after the election was called for Biden makes everything in this book helarious. Seriously though, this was very amusing as well as thought provoking. Definitely worth a read.
nicolemhill's review against another edition
4.0
I adore Alexandra Petri. This collection of previously published and new short essays is both a delight and a ghastly fun house mirror. The first half of the book I found amusing. (And it reminded me of some Trump World castmates from Season 1.) The second half, though, is broader and gives her more room to run.