deziginer's review
5.0
This book should be required reading for all girls in their 20s going through the dating scene. Dorothy Parker writes fantastic little stories that usually don't go beyond 10 pages, as well as some of the easiest-to-read poetry I've ever picked up. I read through 150 pages on a plane ride--this book is really good for short attention spans.
Everything she writes is full of almost a brutal sarcasm and wit that turns even the most desperate or unfortunate scenarios funny. She has a few themes I've seen throughout the book so far: an arguing couple, a desperate woman, and general commentary about living in or dreaming about the 'high society lifestyle'.
One of the most realistically desperate stories I've ever read: The Telephone Call.
Everything she writes is full of almost a brutal sarcasm and wit that turns even the most desperate or unfortunate scenarios funny. She has a few themes I've seen throughout the book so far: an arguing couple, a desperate woman, and general commentary about living in or dreaming about the 'high society lifestyle'.
One of the most realistically desperate stories I've ever read: The Telephone Call.
blakehalsey's review
5.0
Funny, funny, funny, and with all the dark books I read, she's a breath of fresh air!
vicioustrollope's review
4.0
I feel like Dorothy Parker would have millions of twitter followers if she were alive
kricketa's review
5.0
love the short story "the game." amazing.
p. 599 OMG DP WAS IN A TUBERCULOSIS SANATORIUM. v. exciting discovery.
She calls fox "20th century fucks."
I love this book! Poems, short stories, book reviews, articles, letters, all of it. Took me nearly a year to read and I'm still sorry to be done. No doubt will be picking up again & again.
p. 599 OMG DP WAS IN A TUBERCULOSIS SANATORIUM. v. exciting discovery.
She calls fox "20th century fucks."
I love this book! Poems, short stories, book reviews, articles, letters, all of it. Took me nearly a year to read and I'm still sorry to be done. No doubt will be picking up again & again.
blueskygreentreesyellowsun's review
3.0
I enjoyed the author's reviews of plays, musicals, and books quite a bit, and also her letters. Her short stories were fine, although I hated every story that was told in the first person narrative aside from "Mrs. Hofstadter on Josephine Street". The poetry I mostly skipped, not because of any lack on the author's part but because poetry doesn't do anything for me; I just end up bored.
melanieapril's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, so I didn't read this ENTIRE book, but I read all the short stories and some of the poems and reviews. Parker is so caustic, so cynical - I love her style, but I have to be in the mood for it.
crostonk's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
I just do not like Dorothy Parker. She is my mother's favorite author and while I can appreciate the writing it is just an ode to melancholia and cynicism. Not my thing.
amaliegrace's review
2.75
It’s hard for me to rate this because many of the short stories are 5 stars and most of the poetry. But a lot of the stories were 1 star. I think the stories I didn’t like ended up outweighing the ones I did