Single Sundays: While this blog may be focused on reviewing book series as a whole, we can’t forget about the good ole’ standalone novel! On Sundays, I will review a novel that is considered to be a standalone novel. Here is this week’s offering:
Synopsis for Girl Walks into a Bar . . .: Comedy Calamities, Dating Disasters, and a Midlife Miracle (from Goodreads):
In this side-splitting memoir, the former Saturday Night Live star recounts the hilarious adventures and unexpected joy of dating and becoming a mother when she least expected it-at the age of forty-four. Anyone who saw an episode of Saturday Night Live between 1999 and 2006 knows Rachel Dratch. She was hilarious! So what happened to her? After a misbegotten part as Jenna on the pilot of 30 Rock, Dratch was only getting offered roles as “Lesbians. Secretaries. Sometimes secretaries who are lesbians.”
Her career at a low point, Dratch suddenly had time for yoga, dog- sitting, learning Spanish-and dating. After all, what did a forty- something single woman living in New York have to lose? Resigned to childlessness but still hoping for romance, Dratch was out for drinks with a friend when she met John.
Handsome and funny, after only six months of dating long-distance, he became the inadvertent father of her wholly unplanned, undreamed-of child, and moved to New York to be a dad. With riotous humor, Dratch recounts breaking the news to her bewildered parents, the awe of her single friends, and the awkwardness of a baby-care class where the instructor kept tossing out the f-word.
Author: Rachel Dratch
Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Celebrity, Humour
Heat Rating: N/A
Point of View: First Person, Single
Publication Date: March 29, 2012
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
I’ll readily admit that I knew nothing about this audiobook when I picked it up. It was never on a TBR list nor had I heard of it before I saw it on my library’s eCatalogue. See, I was going away on vacation and wanted to get an audiobook for the plane so my options were limited to whatever was “now available”.
I recognized Rachel Dratch though. While I didn’t watch SNL on a regular basis until the last year or so, I watched it enough in the past to know the major cast members of the past few years. Plus I watched a few seasons of 30 Rock before life got in the way and they share a few cast members. Recently, Rachel was a part of John Oliver’s segment on TV evangelists (which is definitely worth a watch if you have the time) so I immediately recognized her when I saw the book title.
I figured, she’s funny why not try her audiobook?
The Concept:
I didn’t really read the rest of the synopsis before I started the book so I didn’t realize that a majority of it would be about her unexpected pregnancy in her 40s. I thought it would be about her SNL days and her dating life (and it is in the first few chapters) so I was pleasantly surprised by the main focus of her book which is her pregnancy.
Rachel has a refreshing approach to the whole situation so I didn’t mind listening to her tell her story. Which surprised me because I expected a laugh out loud comedic story not a sentimental (albeit funny) retelling of her pregnancy.
At the same time, I found it a little odd to be listening to her describe her unexpected pregnancy. It seemed like a weird thing to publish because it is nonfiction and someday her partner and probably her son will read it–and it’s not like she says anything negative or rude, etc, more like it’s a very private moment that is shared with everyone. I have nothing against it, it was just different from what I am use to.
The Writing/Narration:
I was also surprised by how easy it was to listen to Rachel talk. When I think of her sketches on SNL, I think of her as this almost neurotic, over the top character that I forget to see her as a regular person. (For proof, watch the earlier video link I posted). It was nice to see and listen to the person behind the character personas I am use to.
The book had a nice, easy flow to it as you progressed through the story. I liked the audiobook because it made it easier to catch those sarcastic and often quick quips that I probably would have missed looking at physical copy of the book.
Did it Impact My Life?
Not particularly but her story reminds me that life often works in mysterious ways.
My Rating: 3/5
While this book wasn’t as funny as I wanted, I did enjoy it for what it was.
Read if You Like: celebrity memoirs, female comedians
Avoid if You: want a hilarious book
- Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
- Yes Please by Amy Poehler
- Bossypants by Tina Fey
I’ve actually been meaning to read this book for years. Have you ever heard of The Moth? They’re storytelling events where people basically tell a tale from their lives in front of a live audience. I heard Dratch tell a shortened version of this story on a recording of one of those events and I thought she was funny and charming. I’m always a fan of the life took a unexpected turn narrative.
It’s definitely an entertaining read! She has a great sense of humour and a refreshing way of telling her story. I think if you know what it is about before you go into it, you’ll get more out of it.