moogen's review against another edition
3.0
Some nice set ups and interesting ideas and a few laugh out loud moments. The author felt a little smarty-pants at times and some of the stories didn't quite get there. But a pleasant enough distraction.
papa1am's review against another edition
2.0
I feel I need to justify my rating a little bit. Simon Rich is hysterical. He's got a great eye for poking fun at the "entitled" millennial generation, despite the fact not all millennials are "entitled" (but I digress). However, I think Rich's humor fits better with his other occupations: sketch writer and screenwriter. He's a former SNL writer, and I can see so many of these stories being PERFECT for that medium. For some reason (for me), they didn't translate as well on the page. Not sure why. Either way, I definitely want to read more of his stuff, even if I didn't resonate with this collection as much.
sonia_reppe's review against another edition
5.0
Really funny and clever stories that make fun of how spoiled we are. I love how Rich makes fun of himself in "Sell Out". This was one of my favorites, about a pickle factory worker immigrant in 1908 Brooklyn who falls into a vat, gets "pickled," wakes up in the present day, and meets his great-grandson Simon Rich. This story makes hilarious fun of hipsters in Brooklyn. In fact, this whole collection makes fun of contemporary society. I loved "Semester Abroad" in the 1st-person college girl voice--so hilarious!
hyarrz's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kemilyh1988's review against another edition
3.0
MEH. The first story (Animals) was fantastic and some of the others were okay (Big Break, Sell Out, Guy Walks Into A Bar, Family Business). I would read more, but maybe be more selective.