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Title: The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell ISBN: 0743243803 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: 01 October, 2003 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.27
Rating: 5
Summary: Funny, Intelligent And Damn Reassuring
Comment: I came to Sarah Vowell a virgin. Before I purchased her book I had never heard her on radio or read her anywhere but after thumbing through a portion of her explaining why she visits gruesome places in history, as someone who has himself thought seriously of staying overnight in the home Lizzie Borden killed her parents, I knew I had a deep kinship with this delightful person. The Partly Cloudy Patriot did not disappoint in any way. These short essays are very funny, often thoughtful, personal and impassioned. Whether describing Thanksgiving with her parents or her reaction to the presidential victory of Mr. Bush (a highlight of the volume is this essay and its skillful presentation of Gore as a nerd, in a very positive way). After this past election, this volume is a wonderful way to overcome a little and laugh a lot. A much needed writer in these terrible times.
Rating: 5
Summary: You'll Be Glad You Bought A Vowell
Comment: Webster's Dictionary defines "droll" as "amusing in an odd or wry way." There are many adjectives for Sarah Vowell, but "droll" may be the best one-word description out there. In her second major collections of essays, the self-proclaimed nerd focuses on her strength ' a seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of American history and politics. Never has literary criticism (the genre this book is lumped into) been less stodgy as Vowell tries to come to terms with the end of the Clinton era, the 2000 presidential election fiasco, and the aftermath of 9/11. Also discussed are such wide-ranging topics as the Salem witch trials to arcade (pop-a-shot) basketball to a couple of famous Toms (movie star Cruise and former Dallas Cowboys' coach Landry). I happily admit to laughing out loud several times (and learning a thing or two) while reading this intelligent and entertaining volume.
For those unfamiliar with Vowell, I urge you to try and get a listen to her either in her regular gig on NPR or a book tour appearance/reading that is currently being aired on C-SPAN. Having Vowell's distinctive speaking voice in your head (she notes that she and Abraham Lincoln may share a similar oratory style -- "as squeaky as a six-year-old girl"), will only add to your reading enjoyment.
A slight warning ' Vowell is a bleeding heart Democrat and she wears that heart proudly on her sleeve, so those with who do not have a similar political bent may have a tougher time stomaching some of the essays. Despite having a perpetual "partly cloudy" outlook of the world, there is also a palpable optimism that runs through Vowell's work. As she hilariously notes in one essay, her motto in any situation is "it could be worse." And, at times, that is not a bad way at all to get through some tough times.
Rating: 4
Summary: A unique collection
Comment: I've taken a fancy to memoirs and essays lately, and Vowell's stands out among them - primarily because most of her essays have a political/patriotic/historical flavor to them. It's a refreshing change from the typical tales of love, work, and foibles that are in many memoirs.
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Title: Take the Cannoli : Stories From the New World by Sarah Vowell ISBN: 0743205405 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: 03 April, 2001 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
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Title: Radio on: A Listener's Diary by Sarah Vowell ISBN: 0312183011 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: March, 1998 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
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Title:This American Life: Lies Sissies & Fiascoes ASIN: B00000I725 Publisher: Rhino Records Pub. Date: 04 May, 1999 List Price(USD): $17.98 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $11.99 |
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Title: Fraud: Essays by David Rakoff ISBN: 0767906314 Publisher: Broadway Books Pub. Date: 23 April, 2002 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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Title: The Book of Liz by David Sedaris, Amy Sedaris ISBN: 0822218275 Publisher: Dramatist's Play Service Pub. Date: September, 2002 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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