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.
erin_oriordan_is_reading_again's review against another edition
4.0
John Hodgman cracks me so consistently up. Whatever senses of humor are made of, his and mine are the same.
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
3.0
Entertaining, introspective bio-comedy essays.
On one hand, I liked the dry and goofy humor, the concise thoughtfulness, and the quick read chapters. On the other, all the acknowledgment in the world doesn't lessen the awkwardness of a white man talking about his privilege problems of owning vacation homes.
On one hand, I liked the dry and goofy humor, the concise thoughtfulness, and the quick read chapters. On the other, all the acknowledgment in the world doesn't lessen the awkwardness of a white man talking about his privilege problems of owning vacation homes.
msmaravilla's review against another edition
5.0
Books sometimes reach you at the right time. If you are plunged into some cold ominous waters of midlife, this book offers company. If learning to swim these waters offers the pleasures of solitude, growth, and wry self-awareness while also causing doubt, awareness of mortality, and a lot of fucking pain, Vacationland will bring you some laughs and insight. Or at least you’ll feel less bad about enjoying a drink each night with your spouse, a peaboat to row in after a hard day of swimming.
lexiww's review against another edition
3.0
Hodgeman’s style of comedy has historically been lost on me, but I picked up these essays after hearing such acclaim for them. Plus, I live in Western Massachusetts and have roots in Park Slope and also despise the beaches of Maine.
It was a contemplative, clever read—both a love letter to New England and the state of being. We’re back on, Hodgeman.
It was a contemplative, clever read—both a love letter to New England and the state of being. We’re back on, Hodgeman.