nicolemhill's review against another edition
4.0
I adore Alexandra Petri. This collection of previously published and new short essays is both a delight and a ghastly fun house mirror. The first half of the book I found amusing. (And it reminded me of some Trump World castmates from Season 1.) The second half, though, is broader and gives her more room to run.
alibi313's review against another edition
3.0
Trying to laugh through the pain. Feels like wallowing, since all the sarcastic humor is just too obvious, but good in small doses. Overwhelming as a book of collected snark.
cyntismiles's review against another edition
funny
slow-paced
3.5
Very funny and also sad. I thought this would mainly focus on the Trump presidency but there was other stuff was well. That didnt make it good or bad, just something I didnt know going in. Some of the essay topics aren't able to be funny and I thought that the authors use of satire was more shining a light on these issues than trying to have fun (which felt appropriate). And some of the stuff is so ridiculous, she has some fun with it (loved the essay about the expensive furniture store!!).
I'm a big fan of Alexandra Petri's humor and read her first book over 5 years ago. I still think about some of the passages often and so I knew I wanted to pick this one up!
I'm kind of glad I gave 2020 a few years before reading this as it might have been a little too much then. The middle essays focus more on somber topics (school shootings, children being held at the border etc). The book covers a range of emotions and, I think, strikes a balance between scathing satire and silly satire.
I'm a big fan of Alexandra Petri's humor and read her first book over 5 years ago. I still think about some of the passages often and so I knew I wanted to pick this one up!
I'm kind of glad I gave 2020 a few years before reading this as it might have been a little too much then. The middle essays focus more on somber topics (school shootings, children being held at the border etc). The book covers a range of emotions and, I think, strikes a balance between scathing satire and silly satire.