Lovely personal essays by Sarah Vowell are truly a delight to read. I have to admit that I do have a tendency to prefer her longer, more historical essays that artfully weave into a captivating story, such as the wonderful Assassination Vacation. However, it's important to note that she writes with such clarity and amusement in all of her works. It's not as if I have any dislike for any of these essays. Some of the best moments include her hilarious account of learning to drive, the struggles with insomnia that she so vividly describes, her experiences playing in the band, and even the rather unexpected tale of shooting her dad. Each of these essays offers a unique glimpse into her life and thoughts, making for an engaging and entertaining read.
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This is a truly enjoyable collection of essays. While it may not be as uproariously funny as the works of David Sedaris, it still manages to be quite interesting and humorous. The chapter in which the author learns to drive at the age of 28 is particularly entertaining. Her boss takes her to a cemetery to practice, reasoning that she can't cause any harm to anyone there. It's a rather unique and comical situation.
The author's description of her room at the famous Chelsea Hotel in New York City is also quite vivid. She writes, "My room, marked 923 in ballpoint on a crumbling index card taped to the door, is an Edward Hopper painting waiting to happen. So Hopperesque, in fact, that upon entering I feel the need to put on a grimy old slip and slump into the dusty armchair so that I can stare wantonly at the wall." This description really brings the room to life and gives the reader a sense of the atmosphere and character of the place.
Lovely writing indeed! Some of the essays were truly outstanding, captivating my attention from the very beginning. However, I did have a slight reservation. I wasn't overly fond of the numerous different styles of essays that were presented. It felt a bit disjointed at times. For instance, I didn't appreciate having first-person accounts suddenly blend into a more reporter-like style. It made the reading experience a bit less seamless than I would have liked. I think a more consistent approach in terms of style could have enhanced the overall quality of the collection. Nevertheless, the lovely writing and the great essays still managed to leave a positive impression on me.