After Bird by Bird, I wanted to dip into more Anne Lamott, hoping in part to find another essayist on par with beloved Anne Fadiman. Alas, the two Annes are not alike.
This collection (which I was disappointed to realize includes both new and previously published essays, such that previous collections will include repeats of some of these) is a nice set of stories but not as engaging as Bird by Bird. Some seemed to be trying too hard for the promised moment of grace, and there was less of the wry humour I came to love in the previous book. Most of these essays are about grief and grieving, so the rarity of humour is understandable, but I was expecting more ordinary moments of grace, not primarily those involving death and loss. I was also disappointed by the overt political commentary throughout; it seems the opposite of grace to be so condescending, judgemental, and mean about one’s political opponents. My favourite essays were “Ladders”, “Forgiven”, and “Dad.”
I do like Lamott’s style, so perhaps I will try one of her novels instead.
Fate: giving to a friend
8 – female author
10 – essays
30 – philosophy/religion
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