bookchew's review against another edition
3.0
Writer, humorist, podcaster, PC guy, and Daily Show contributor John Hodgman is back, and he's telling (almost) the whole truth. In this collection of funny and reflective essays, Hodgman explores the existential symbolism of his patchy beard, how to navigate the social and natural wilds of Maine, and how even the weirdest dads have some "cool" cred. It's funny, and it's wrought--life is short, and Hodgman's book never lets you forget his (and your) impending demise.
I was predisposed to love this book... I'm a fan of Hodgman's, and the comedic memoir is one of my favorite genres. But I came away from Vacationland feeling that it was just "okay."
There are moments of wit, brilliance, and emotionality, surrounded by other moments that left me wondering "so what?" Hodgman's trademark humor is undermined here by a tendency to follow a joke with a self-congratulatory doubling-down that seems to say, "see what I did there?"
Vacationland has the barebones of a great comedic memoir, but could use something more. Though I found myself saving several passages that were deftly articulate, funny, and relatable, the essays as a whole lack oomph.
I received an ARC of this book in August 2017. It will be published on October 24, 2017.
mariab3's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
I read this while on a trip to Maine, and it added some fun perspective and whimsy to my trip. I even drove past Perry’s Nut House, which made me laugh.
John Hodgman sure knows how to tell a ridiculous story and then hit you with a wall of emotion on the next page.
John Hodgman sure knows how to tell a ridiculous story and then hit you with a wall of emotion on the next page.
tylerdraws's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
jexjthomas's review against another edition
5.0
Touching, poignant, sweet, utterly charming (especially if you listen to the audiobook)
laurenqt's review against another edition
3.0
A funny read with lots of truths and jokes about New England and Maine.
kissliag's review against another edition
5.0
Very fun and often moving in ways I would not have expected.
rorycb's review against another edition
4.0
To be fair, I was probably thinking - this is a three star book - about 2/3 through. But then the last few chapters charmed the extra star out of me.
After seeing John Hodgman's hilarious appearance on, funnily enough, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah promoting this book, he'd convinced me that this was something I wanted to read. I wasn't disappointed, with me finding some of the early passages so funny, my partner was subjected to my reading them out loud to her. The part on "lake clams" one memorable example.
But it's in the closing chapters that the gently humorous and whimsical storytelling elevate into something profound and affecting. So as I close the book I feel I could easily open it again, to return to "Vacationland" straight away.
After seeing John Hodgman's hilarious appearance on, funnily enough, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah promoting this book, he'd convinced me that this was something I wanted to read. I wasn't disappointed, with me finding some of the early passages so funny, my partner was subjected to my reading them out loud to her. The part on "lake clams" one memorable example.
But it's in the closing chapters that the gently humorous and whimsical storytelling elevate into something profound and affecting. So as I close the book I feel I could easily open it again, to return to "Vacationland" straight away.