The inimitably witty David Rakoff defends the commonsensical notion that you should always assume the worst, because you'll never be disappointed. In this deeply funny (and, no kidding, wise and poignant) book, Rakoff examines the realities of our sunny, everyone-can-be-a-star contemporary culture and finds that, pretty much as a universal rule, the best is not yet to come, adversity will triumph, justice will not be served, and your dreams won't come true. Whether he's lacerating the musical Rent for its cutesy depiction of AIDS or dealing with personal tragedy, his sharp observations and humorist's flair for the absurd will have you positively reveling in the power of negativity.--From publisher description.
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Published:
New York : Doubleday, c2010.
Edition:
1st ed.
ISBN:
9780385533690
0385533691
0385533691
Branch Call Number:
DOWNLOADABLE EBOOK
Characteristics:
1 online resource (224 p.)
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Add a CommentIntellectual masturbation.
Highly recommended in both book and audio form - From our Embarrassment of Riches blog: "Boarding the plane with earbuds in place, I smiled politely at my neighbor and escaped into Mr. Rakoff's soothing voice."
If you liked Rakoff's "Fraud" you'll like this book of essays too. Intelligent and witty. I'm sad Rakoff passed away before he got to write more.
Sharp, hilarious, and cynical with a perfect touch of sweetness. If Davids Rakoff and Sedaris were to star in a remake of "Beaches" and Sedaris was (obviously) Bette Midler, Rakoff would be a deliciously darker Barbara Hershey.
Any body who can see the glass half full with this much self deprecating humour and intelligence is all right in my books.
David Rakoff tackles pessimism in his usual sardonic and funny way. This collection of essays does involve a sobering twist that makes it one his most personal efforts.