kandicez's review against another edition
4.0
I read everything of Bombeck’s I could get my hands on in the late 70's, early 80's. I should have been too young to enjoy her “put upon mother” humor, but somehow I wasn’t. She has always, always cracked me up. I’ve read most of her books a few times each and some portions I’ve read over and over and over. She just has this uncanny way of making you feel grateful for what you have. Also that someone else always has it worse than you! That’s a gift.
Nothing she says is off base and even though the majority of her stuff is decades old, people are the same no matter when they live, so she is always topical. The world has moved on quite a bit since most of her books were written, but really, what’s the difference between a teenage boy with a Beatles haircut that drives his mother crazy because it’s always in his eyes and a teenage boy with a pink and blue mohawk that drives HIS mother equally crazy? Nothing! Or a teenage girl that ties up the family phone, lying on her bed for hours, just yakking away, and a teenage girl whose cell phone has become an earring because it’s always stuck to her face? Or fingers. Again, nothing!
I think all women contemplating of marrying or having children, should read Bombeck’s books first. Will they convince you otherwise? Nope, but they will give you an idea of what a crazy ride wife/mother hood can be! That never changes.
Nothing she says is off base and even though the majority of her stuff is decades old, people are the same no matter when they live, so she is always topical. The world has moved on quite a bit since most of her books were written, but really, what’s the difference between a teenage boy with a Beatles haircut that drives his mother crazy because it’s always in his eyes and a teenage boy with a pink and blue mohawk that drives HIS mother equally crazy? Nothing! Or a teenage girl that ties up the family phone, lying on her bed for hours, just yakking away, and a teenage girl whose cell phone has become an earring because it’s always stuck to her face? Or fingers. Again, nothing!
I think all women contemplating of marrying or having children, should read Bombeck’s books first. Will they convince you otherwise? Nope, but they will give you an idea of what a crazy ride wife/mother hood can be! That never changes.
jenmat1197's review against another edition
2.0
This is a comedic book taking a swipe at domestic dilemmas. There isn't much else to say about this book - there are quips and quotes about different parts of life - husbands, children, mothers, marriage....
This book was written quite awhile ago. I was reading it while I was visiting my mother, and she remembers reading it when she was younger. That made a lot of sense because I didn't really find this book all that funny. I chuckled a time or two, but for the most part, I did little more than smile at what she was writing. I know it was mostly because I really couldn't relate to it. IT was written in the 60's, so what did I expect.
I don't really recommend it because most of my friends would probably agree that this book wouldn't be funny. So.....eh
sheryls's review against another edition
2.0
To be fair, I think she was funnier to her 1970s audience. She was one of my mother's favorite authors and we always had a book of hers in the house when I was growing up. I read some bits and pieces then when I was a teenager and thought she was funny. But now that I'm grown and went back and read this book, I couldn't relate to most of it, maybe because I never raised teenagers.
jswolf's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
cutecoil's review against another edition
4.0
The entire book reads like a stand up comedy act. A lot of it was dated, since the book is quite old, but most of it still rings true if you are a parent. The last chapter of the book was my favorite. It wasn't funny at all, but heartbreaking and all too real. Over all, a very enjoyable read!
mindsplinters's review against another edition
3.0
Much more approachable than the last one I read. The humor felt more timeless, the writing flowed more naturally for my brain, and there were unexpected points of bittersweet within the lines. Especially in the last set of essays. I damn near cried at the one describing the gradual role reversal of mother and child.