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carolineinthelibrary's review against another edition
3.0
This was an okay humor sort of self-help book. Obviously having been written 50 years ago, there were a lot of dated jokes that might have gone over my head and definitely a lot of dated sentiments that I couldn't find myself laughing at; however, there were some touching moments. The last chapter discusses watching your parents age and reckoning with the fact that they always took care of you and now you're taking care of them. I thought that was timeless and sentimental. An okay read but definitely one that will be lost on most modern readers.
cozeemys22's review against another edition
Good writing had to take time as it was written in a different time- mind set. Would recommend for a great laugh.
it_smiy_bookshelf's review against another edition
1.0
Something a little different but I wanted to share! My dad got me these two books for Christmas last year and I just finished them both. They aren’t your typical stories…. Erma takes you through her life as a mother, wife, and comedian. She takes a normal story and gives life lessons, funny tidbits and much more.
The books are very much written in the 90s and relatable to that time frame.
If you’re looking for a nice 90s family laugh - these books are for you!
The books are very much written in the 90s and relatable to that time frame.
If you’re looking for a nice 90s family laugh - these books are for you!
octavia_cade's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.0
"See if you can read a paragraph without laughing out loud!" So says the back cover, anyway. Reader, I did not laugh. I think I managed one breathy half-chuckle in the whole collection. Granted, humour is subjective and all that, and this did rise to very mildly amusing, but that's about all. It's a collection of short essays from the seventies, which originated as newspaper columns I think, and I will say that they're all very good-natured. Bombeck writes almost entirely about life with her family, the small frustrations of kids and dirty laundry and husbands who do not listen, and the genuine affection is clear throughout. It's a quick, easy read... but it's not that funny.
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