Do you know what Schadenfreude is? I first heard it as a song in the musical Avenue Q. It means, basically, "making me feel glad that I'm not you," or "happiness at the misfortune of others" and for some strange reason (well, not really strange if you read the book), it's the first thought that pops into my head when thinking how I feel about reading Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher. That's not a bad thing and I don't think she'd mind, but basically, if you think you had a f---ed up life, you'll probably feel pretty good about it after reading this.
But let me back up for a moment too because we all know my life, for the last three months, has been pretty f---ed up. So I needed the laughs that this book provides. Heck, I deserve them and so do most of us. And that's what it is - filled with some darn good chuckles and smiles because she looks back at her life with humor, not self-pity (well, maybe just a tinge but she's earned it), and the best part, even my chemo muddled brain can down this 163-page book in 90 minutes. Yep, you read that right, I woke at 4:00am, gave up on sleep at 4:20am, came downstairs, made coffee, settled in with this book and by 6:10 I finished it, acknowledgments, cover, and all.
So, my point? If you got 90 minutes to kill, it's more enjoyable than that marathon of Housewives of Orange County and will give you a better lift from the Schadenfreude, so do yourself a favor and read it.
Other Thinks (14)
The nice thing about books like this (other that the laughter) is the realization that even though things may be going badly for you - they go worse for others. There is nothing like a bit of a reality check. Even better when they manage to pull they way back out of the depths. Hope and laughter . . .
Posted by Jerry | February 15, 2009 8:30 AM
Posted on February 15, 2009 08:30
Interesting Kim, I think I will read it!
Posted by candi | February 15, 2009 8:46 AM
Posted on February 15, 2009 08:46
I had bought this before we left for Italy but didn't take it with us. Read it this past week and enjoyed it as much as some of her other books. Her daughter with Bryan Lourd was presented at a ball in the Crillon recently and I saw photos in a "Hello" magazine I bought there - Billie certainly resembles her mother.
Posted by ChrisV | February 15, 2009 9:08 AM
Posted on February 15, 2009 09:08
Hi Kim, thanks for this book recommendation. It sounds like a great read, so I'm going to order it.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | February 15, 2009 11:26 AM
Posted on February 15, 2009 11:26
Great book recommendation, Kim.
It sits on our New in iography bay right next to the customer service counter, so I see the cover almost every day. I just haven't gotten around to reading it. But now I will.
Posted by Deborah | February 15, 2009 12:21 PM
Posted on February 15, 2009 12:21
Thanks for the recommendation, Kim. I think I will get this book.
Posted by sheri | February 15, 2009 1:19 PM
Posted on February 15, 2009 13:19
It is funny, but definetely made me glad not to be her.
Posted by Lisa | February 15, 2009 3:27 PM
Posted on February 15, 2009 15:27
Kim, have you seen Julia Sweeney's "God Said Ha!"? I think you'd enjoy it.
Letting Go of God is good as well, but I liked Ha better.
Posted by CPav![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/kim/nav-commenters.gif)
|
February 15, 2009 7:00 PM
Posted on February 15, 2009 19:00
Thanks for the review. I read "Postcards from the Edge" by her many years ago and really enjoyed it. And you're right about perspective...
Posted by Annie | February 15, 2009 8:06 PM
Posted on February 15, 2009 20:06
Thanks for this recommendation, I think Carrie Fisher is very funny -- I also enjoyed Postcards from the Edge.
Posted by sandrac | February 16, 2009 2:49 PM
Posted on February 16, 2009 14:49
Hey Kim, Are you getting some kind of "kick back" on this review? LOL Looks like quite a few copies will be bought based on your recommendation. I think I may be one of them as well. I think it was probably very difficult to have a mom like hers, just from the things I've heard and read.
Posted by Barb Cabot | February 16, 2009 5:05 PM
Posted on February 16, 2009 17:05
Uh oh. People, I should warn you though, at my book club last night, not everyone appreciated the humor of the book (especially if they didn't know who Princess Leah is/was). So be warned. My friend and I loved it but then we wondered if it's because we're somewhat dysfunctional too ;)....
Posted by Kim![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.slowtrav.com/blog/kim/nav-commenters.gif)
|
February 16, 2009 5:21 PM
Posted on February 16, 2009 17:21
Interesting that everyone in the book club didn't appreciate the humor. Recently I was having lunch with a couple of friends. We were talking about the movie Little Miss Sunshine. One of my friends who grew up in a very normal home did not like the movie. Thought it was not believable at all. My other friend and I both grew up in dysfunctional families. We loved it. I guess the whole perspective thing plays a role in book and movie reviews. It sounds like a funny book to me and one that would be great to read when you are not having the best of days.
Posted by girasoli | February 16, 2009 5:31 PM
Posted on February 16, 2009 17:31
I have always loved to read Carrie Fisher's life stories, and yes, it does make me glad not to be her. But dysfunctional I get, and she writes well. But Kim, fyi, even without chemo, I have been know to speed-read a book throughout the night, tho nowadays I have to save that craziness for summer vacations.
Posted by Marcia | February 17, 2009 5:06 PM
Posted on February 17, 2009 17:06