Throughout the book, the author hones in on this disconnect, debunking the myth of the power of positive thinking while arguing that the bleak not the meek will most likely inherit the earth. Youll wish this book was longer and, of course, that rakoff was still around to grace us with his wit. There are no sacred cows in humorist david rakoffs world. Finding kindness and introspection in half empty, a book. The inimitably witty david rakoff, new york times bestselling author of. Fraud includes essays that are largely autobiographical and humorous. Throughout the book, the author hones in on this disconnect, debunking the myth. In this sardonic collection of essays, rakoff dont get too comfortable plays the role of a naysayer who tries to convince the reader, with. The latest collection of humorous essays from the author of dont get too comfortable revels in the power of negative thinking.
Writer david rakoffs received the 2011 thurber prize for american humor for his essay collection half empty. The inimitably witty david rakoff, new york times bestselling author of dont. In this sardonic collection of essays, rakoff dont get too comfortable plays the role of a naysayer who tries to convince the reader, with humorous asides and sarcastic oneliners, that the world i. Literary wit david rakoff reads from his new book, half empty at stony brook manhattan, on november 1, 2010. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or. Rakoff stated, in relation to the theme of the book, the central drama of my life is about being a fraud, alas. Whether hes taking on pop culture phenomena with oscar wildeworthy wit or dealing with personal tragedy, rakoffs sharp observations and humorists flair for the absurd. David rakoff is the author of the books fraud and dont get too comfortable. In the book, rakoff explains the powers of pessimistic thought as.
Buy a cheap copy of half empty book by david rakoff. Reading half empty in light of his death has an incredibly profound effect on the last few chapters of. October 7, 2011 writer david rakoff s received the 2011 thurber prize for american humor for his essay collection half empty. From the fauxpreciousness of jonathan larsons rent to the consumeristic vapidity of disney world to jews secret love of forbidden grub, rakoff eviscerates idyllic americana beliefs left and right in his truthtelling crusade. But between the beginning and ending chapters of david rakoff s book, i was surprised to find myself distracted by my inability to answer my own nagging questions. In this deeply smart and sneakily poignant collection of essays, the bestselling author of fraud and dont get too comfortable makes an inspired case for always. Rakoffs popular works include his essay collection fraud and half empty, a defense of pessimism for which he earned the thurber prize for american humor. Rakoff manages to make pessimism sexy, whittling optimism into little more. Half empty book washington county cooperative library. In the book, rakoff explains the powers of pessimistic thought as he analyzes topics such as a pornography trade fair, his neurotic childhood and his recent cancer diagnosis. Each chapter is a new story and each is better than the last.
Half empty by david rakoff penguin random house canada. Firmly on the side of those determined to keep their expectations low so as never to be disappointed, rakoff is a droll and unsentimental. Admittedly i only started reading david rakoffs books after his death, i was gifted dont get too comfortable. The inimitably witty david rakoff, this american life stalwart and bestselling author, looks at the modern world and his own life in defense of the commonsensical notion that you should always assume the worst. David rakoff sadly isnt with us anymore and what hes left behind is not only a window into his own life, but a collection of stories that everyone can relate too. Here is how i feel dirty, an essay from rakoffs final collection, half empty, opens.
New york times bestselling author of dont get too comfortable, defends the commonsensical notion that you should always assume the. The collection consists of writings, correspondence, datebooks, notebooks, financial papers, photographs, artwork, rubber stamps, printed materials, audiovisual materials, and other papers by, to, or relating to david rakoff. A twotime recipient of the lambda literary award and winner of the thurber prize for american humor, he was a regular contributor to public radio internationals this american life. The inimitably witty david rakoff defends the commonsensical notion that you should always assume the worst, because youll never be disappointed. Half empty by david rakoff penguin random house audio. The inimitably witty david rakoff, new york times bestselling author of dont get too comfortable, defends the commonsensical notion that you should always. In this deeply funny and, no kidding, wise and poignant book, rakoff examines the realities of our sunny, gosh everyonecanbeastar contemporary culture and. Rakoff is a fantastic and hilarious narrator, absolutely the best person to read his coruscating sentences. In half empty, his latest essay collection, rakoff explains the powers of pessimistic thought as he analyzes topics such as a. In this deeply smart and sneakily poignant collection of essays, the bestselling author of fraud and dont get too comfortable makes an inspired case for always assuming the worstbecause then youll never be disappointed. Half empty is a 2010 collection of essays by this american life contributor david rakoff. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of half empty by david rakoff. Rakoff worked in book publishing after studying at columbia university, and made his name crafting incisive essays for the new york times magazine and other acclaimed publications. Ive always bridled at the term memoirist because i always wanted to be.
Rakoff died of cancer in august 2012 at the age of 47, and the final book published during his lifetime his last novel will be published posthumously next summer half empty, is a staggering. Rakoff manages to make pessimism sexy, whittling optimism into little more than an irresponsible fad. Half empty in this deeply smart and sneakily poignant collection of essays, the bestselling author of fraud and dont get too comfortable makes an inspired case for always assuming the worstbecause then youll never be disappointed. Half empty quotes showing 123 of 23 people are really trying their best. Finding kindness and introspection in half empty, a book of essays by david rakoff. A twotime recipient of the lambda literary award, he is a regular contributor to public radio internationals this american life. This book aptly titled half empty, is about pessimism and how it affects the author.
Half empty david rakoff, read by the author, random house audio, unabridged, six cds, 7 hrs. Half empty book the seattle public library bibliocommons. Welcome by magdalene brandeis, introduction by carrie cooperider. Half empty 2010 won the 2011 thurber prize for american humor. Just like being happy and sad, you will find yourself on both sides of the equation many times over. The essays all deal with the concept of pessimism and how it can be surprisingly adaptive. Half empty isbn 9780385525244 pdf epub david rakoff. The indignities of coach class, the torments of low thread count, the neverending quest for artisanal olive oil, and and after devouring it in a day i had to order the follow up. That was the big problem for me in terms of this book. David rakoff half empty politics and prose bookstore. The book jacket of half empty, david rakoffs third essay collection, contains not only the warning no inspirational life lessons will be. Half empty book tulsa citycounty library bibliocommons.
That was the big problem for me in terms of this book, rakoff says. Half empty by david rakoff overdrive rakuten overdrive. In this deeply funny memoir, david rakoff examines his own life and the realities of our sunny, gosheveryonecanbeastar contemporary culture. Anyone who knows me would bet the family farm that i couldnt ignore a book with the title half empty. But between the beginning and ending chapters of david rakoffs book, i was surprised to find myself distracted by my inability to answer my own nagging questions. The book jacket of half empty, david rakoffs third essay collection, contains not only the warning no inspirational life lessons will be found in these pages, but the guarantee that. David rakoffs half empty full of humor, guilt writer david rakoffs received the 2011 thurber prize for american humor for his essay collection half empty. Writings include multiple drafts of rakoffs essay collections fraud, dont get too comfortable, and half empty. David rakoff is the author of four new york times bestsellers. In this deeply funny and, no kidding, wise and poignant book, rakoff examines the realities of our sunny, everyonecanbeastar contemporary culture and finds that, pretty much as a universal rule, the best is. The book jacket of half empty, david rakoff s third essay collection, contains not only the warning no inspirational life lessons will be found in these pages, but the guarantee that. Regrettably, i found the essayist david rakoff by his obit. In this sardonic collection of essays, rakoff dont get too comfortable plays the role of a naysayer who tries to convince the reader, with humorous asides and sarcastic oneliners, that the world is going to hell in a handbasket and the nerds and geeks will someday be the globes financial and political tyrants. The inimitably witty david rakoff, new york times bestselling author of dont get too comfortable, defends the commonsensical notion that you should always assume the worst, because youll never be disappointed.
109 1452 135 254 584 474 261 546 1196 831 1274 97 1174 1186 30 452 678 1312 237 642 935 1371 60 889 626 130 964 1141 862 1451 271 282 1148 1237 278