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Hard Laughter

anne lamott

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A sensitive and reflective twenty-four-year-old woman chronicles her family's confrontation with illness when it is discovered that her father suffers from an inoperable brain tumor

null pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 15,1979

This edition

Format
null pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published
October 6, 1981 by Signet
ISBN
9780451110725
ASIN
0451110722
Language
English

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About the author

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anne lamott

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Anne Lamott is an author of several novels and works of non-fiction. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, her non-fiction works are largely autobiographical, with strong doses of self-deprecating humor and covering such subjects as alcoholism, single motherhood, and Christianity. She appeals to her fans because of her sense of humor, her deeply felt insights, and her outspoken views on topics such as her left-of-center politics and her unconventional Christian faith. She is a graduate of Drew College Preparatory School in San Francisco, California. Her father, Kenneth Lamott, was also a writer and was the basis of her first novel Hard Laughter.

Lamott's life is documented in Freida Lee Mock's 1999 documentary Bird by Bird: A Film Portrait of Writer Anne Lamott.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
36(36%)
4 stars
32(32%)
3 stars
32(32%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Starskyart
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Maybe because this was about a 22-year-old and I read it when I was 22.

At that time, the experiences and emotions described in the story might have resonated deeply with me.

For some reason, I still think about some of the story lines.

Perhaps it's because those story lines held a certain charm or significance that has stayed with me over the years.

They might have made me reflect on my own life, dreams, and relationships at that age.

Even though time has passed, those memories of the story remain vivid in my mind.

It could be that the story had a profound impact on my perspective or influenced my decisions in some way.

Or maybe it's just the power of a well-told story that has the ability to linger and continue to touch our hearts long after we've finished reading it.

Whatever the reason, I find myself constantly coming back to those story lines and the feelings they evoked within me.

They have become a part of my personal narrative and a reminder of a time in my life when I was young and full of hope.

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TheJoedanimal
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I truly have a great affection for Ann Lamott. Her work "Bird by Bird" was an absolute stroke of genius, which left me with an intense desire to explore more of her writings. As a result, I decided to pick up another one of her books. However, to my great disappointment, this particular work turned out to be extremely boring. I couldn't help but wonder if her non-fiction pieces might be of a higher quality compared to her fictional works. It's quite possible that her real strength lies in presenting real-life experiences and insights in a captivating and engaging manner. Nevertheless, this one book has definitely made me a bit more cautious when it comes to choosing her future works. I still have high hopes for her non-fiction, but I'll be approaching her fiction with a more discerning eye from now on.

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pandabiscuits
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I can't precisely recall the reason why I desired to read this particular book. It had something to do with the author, as her name was mentioned somewhere, yet I can't remember the context. Anyhow, I noticed that my library had it available as an audiobook (not a print copy or an ebook), so I reserved it. When it arrived, I listened to it. I'm uncertain whether it was the most suitable book to listen to as an audiobook. It was rather slow-paced, and my mind kept wandering. Then I'd tune back in only to wonder how we had come to be discussing characters about whom I had no clue! However, I was never overly concerned to go back and tune in again.

There was more swearing and casual sex than I had anticipated. I had expected - or at least, hoped - that the book would improve as it progressed, but the last track, which lasted for 64 minutes, was the most tedious part of the entire book!

This was her first novel, so perhaps the others are better...? Or perhaps not. I might give her the benefit of the doubt and attempt another one, but I'm in no rush!
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Nikalow
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Hard Laughter was, without a doubt, not Anne Lamott's finest piece of work.

However, within its pages, there were intermittent instances of her trademark sarcasm and remarkable wit.

These fleeting moments managed to bring a glimmer of the author's renowned charm and cleverness.

It was as if she would suddenly break through the somewhat lackluster narrative with a sharp observation or a humorous quip that would catch the reader off guard.

While the overall work may not have reached the heights of her other masterpieces, these sporadic flashes of brilliance served as a reminder of Lamott's undeniable talent as a writer.

They added a touch of sparkle to what might otherwise have been a forgettable read, making it still worth the time for fans of Lamott's unique style.
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stellarx1587
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have an unwavering love for everything that Anne Lamott has penned. Her works have a unique charm that always manages to captivate my heart. However, among all of them, this particular one holds a special place as one of my absolute favorites.

It is a story that is both tough and incredibly funny. It delves deep into the account of her father's arduous battle with cancer and the profound impact that this struggle had on the entire family. The way Lamott weaves the narrative is truly masterful, painting a vivid picture of the emotions, the challenges, and the moments of unexpected humor that emerged during this difficult time.

This book is not just a simple read; it is an experience. It makes you laugh, it makes you cry, and it makes you reflect on the power of family, love, and the human spirit in the face of adversity. It is, without a doubt, a great, great book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a story that will touch their soul.
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WiccaMuffin
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I think this is not a great book in the traditional sense.

However, it is a funny and yet serious account of a short period of life. Mostly, it seems to be Anne Lamott's life.

And I was constantly relishing the time I spent reading her story, eagerly anticipating the moments when I could return to it and find out what happened next.

I even began to wish that I lived just around the corner from Anne Lamott.

I felt as if I could be friends with her character, Jen, and this novel was somewhat like having a chat with her at the coffee shop.

The story that has the power to draw you in, make you think, and make you laugh is truly special.

I can't really put into words exactly why I liked this book. I just did!

And I'll definitely be reading more of Lamott's works in the future.

Her writing style has a certain charm that keeps me engaged and interested.

I'm looking forward to exploring more of her stories and seeing what else she has to offer.

Maybe the next book will be even better than this one.

Only time will tell.

But for now, I'm content with having discovered this little gem of a book.

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OurBoySouichi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I have truly relished certain works of Lamott. However, this particular one was dreadfully BORING.

I managed to get through 100 pages, yet nothing of significance had occurred. Absolutely nothing!

I am quite capable of handling a reasonable amount of character development. But this seemed to be an entire book dedicated solely to that.

Consequently, I never completed it and deliberately chose to move on to another book.

It's a pity because I had high hopes based on my previous experiences with her writing.

Perhaps this was just an off attempt or not to my personal taste.

Nonetheless, it serves as a reminder that even great authors can have works that don't quite hit the mark for every reader.

I look forward to exploring other books in the hope of finding one that will reignite my passion for reading.
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minimiau
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This piece of writing seems to bear a closer resemblance to a roman a clef rather than a typical work of pure fiction.

Perhaps this is precisely the reason why I found it so enjoyable. You see, when it comes to her works, I have always had a greater inclination towards her nonfiction than her so-called true fiction.

The elements in this particular text that give it the feel of a roman a clef add an extra layer of intrigue and interest. It makes me wonder if there are real-life inspirations and hidden meanings lurking beneath the surface.

Maybe it's the way the story is told, with a certain authenticity that makes it seem more like a reflection of reality rather than a completely fabricated tale.

Whatever the case may be, I can't deny that this unique quality of the writing has captured my attention and made me appreciate it in a different way.
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