Part of me truly desired to award this book more stars.

The reason being that her characters are so authentic that they ring true, and I can easily relate to their neuroses.

Moreover, it's impossible not to develop an affection for the family she so vividly describes.

However, the book simply didn't hold together as a cohesive whole.

In some aspects, I felt it was like a collection of short stories haphazardly strung together.

The characters who initially seemed significant would fade away from the scene almost immediately.

And there were moments when I thought the narrator character came across as self-absorbed and rather whiny.

So, while I do like Lamott and think she is both funny and real, unfortunately, I wasn't a huge fan of this particular work.

It had its亮点, but overall, it failed to fully engage and satisfy me as a reader.

Anne's heart-wrenching first novel is a literary masterpiece that captivates readers from the very first page.

The story unfolds with a depth of emotion and a level of detail that is truly remarkable.

Anne's writing style is both engaging and evocative, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the world she has created.

The characters are vividly drawn, each with their own unique personalities and flaws.

The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat, never knowing what will happen next.

Overall, Anne's first novel is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story that will tug at their heartstrings and leave them thinking long after they have turned the last page.

This was a book that I contemplated giving up on numerous times. There are three principal reasons why I persisted. Firstly, I desired to appreciate Anne Lamott's fiction as I had adored "Bird by Bird" so profoundly. Secondly, the theme of the book - grappling with a father's deteriorating health - held a personal significance for me. Thirdly, I harbored the hope of uncovering the answer as to why the author would opt to bestow upon her 23-year-old protagonist a best friend who was merely 10 years old.

In the final analysis, I did find moments within Anne Lamott's fiction that I liked. I would be willing to give her another chance because I firmly believe that from her first novel, she has only enhanced her understanding of how to craft a story. I adored the manner in which the novel concluded, incomplete yet filled with hope. However, I still detested, truly loathed, the fact that the character Megan, despite being only ten years old, sounded as if she were thirty. I have encountered many precocious young individuals (being a teacher, after all), but her character was entirely unbelievable and exasperating.

I won't say it was awful.

There were indeed times when it was funny and heart breaking.

However, overall the book didn't grab me.

It was a real struggle to read it.

I did like the fact that the chapters were each one thought about something.

The story wasn't totally continuous, which was a bit of a drawback.

But I guess I will have to try again when I am in the mood for something like this.

Maybe next time, with a different mindset, I will be able to appreciate the book more fully and understand the author's intentions better.

For now, though, I will put it aside and look for something else to read that will capture my interest from the very beginning.

This book was a real struggle to read and finish.

Another reviewer accurately stated that "it's written in stream-of-consciousness style..the bad part." I wholeheartedly agree. While there were indeed moments that I managed to enjoy, the overall length of this work was excessive. It should have been more concise, perhaps in the form of a twelve-page short story rather than a hefty 290-page novel.

The plot centers around a close-knit family consisting of dad Wallace and his three adult children, Ben, Jen, and Randy. They are depicted as they navigate through life after Wallace is diagnosed with a brain tumor and then undergoes surgery and radiation therapy. I did find some enjoyment in the scenes featuring Wallace (although the incident of him and Jen skinny dipping together in a hot spring was rather odd!), as well as in the camaraderie among the siblings as they support each other during this unstable period. However, aside from these aspects, there wasn't much else that held my interest.

Lamott describes the main character, Jen, who is a writer, struggling to write during certain scenes. This led me to wonder if perhaps this part was autobiographical, potentially even referring to the creation of this very novel. I found myself constantly skipping ahead by ten, fifteen, and then even fifty pages at a time just to make some progress. Although the story did improve slightly towards the very end, I still couldn't say that I truly enjoyed it.

I'm disappointed because I've read other books by her and they were truly outstanding. Then again, this was her first novel, and she was grieving her father at the time (I can relate, as I was a complete mess and couldn't have constructed any kind of story during such a difficult time). So, I won't hold it against her. I still hold her other books, which are overflowing with wisdom, in very high regard and will definitely continue to read them.

Ann Lamott has a remarkable writing style that truly engages the reader.

She has this amazing ability to bring the characters to life in such a vivid way that you can't help but feel a connection with them.

It's either because they bear a striking resemblance to yourself, making you see aspects of your own personality and experiences reflected in their actions and thoughts.

Or perhaps they are just like someone you actually know in real life, which adds an extra layer of authenticity and familiarity to the story.

What I find particularly interesting is how similar her writing style is to my own train of thought.

It's as if she is able to put into words the very ideas and emotions that I often have but struggle to express.

This similarity makes her stories not only enjoyable but also deeply relatable for me.

Every time I pick up one of her books, I know I'm in for a treat, as I'll be taken on a journey through the lives of her characters, experiencing their joys and sorrows along the way.

Her writing has a way of making me feel understood and less alone, which is a truly special gift.

I can't wait to see what new stories and characters she has in store for us in the future.

I truly had a great fondness for this book. It wasn't one of those books that you simply can't put down until you've completed it, but it most definitely managed to hold my interest throughout. I had borrowed it from the library, and as it was an interlibrary loan, I was only permitted to renew it twice. Before I could reach the end, I had to renew it. I most definitely felt the strong need to have a sense of closure with these characters. So, I had to request this book again, and I ultimately finished it in one sitting.

I really relished Anne Lamott's characters and the way they seemed so real to me. In fact, I firmly believed that if I had lived in California during that particular time period, it would have been extremely easy for me to encounter any of those characters. I even have the feeling that I know some individuals in my present-day life who are similar to those characters. The irony was that I began reading this book at approximately the same time that my own father was diagnosed with Cancer. Sadly, his was Stage 4 throat Cancer. It was rather helpful to witness the way the siblings in the story reacted, which was similar to how my siblings and I have reacted.

Like her memoir, this work is essentially a series of profound reflections on diverse themes, all of which are drawn from a particular segment of her life. In this instance, it centers around her father's treatment for a brain tumor.

She provocatively delves into her deep appreciation for her family, the unwavering support of her friends, and the beautiful landscape that encircles her. It's quite remarkable how she manages to explore these aspects with such candor and insight.

However, she is also someone who, on the surface, seems to possess all the qualities that would typically annoy me. She can be self-absorbed, wallowing in self-pity at times, and rather casual about her attitudes towards drugs, alcohol, and sex. But here's the thing - she is also astonishingly self-aware. She has this unique ability to be self-deprecating, which, combined with her charm and grace, makes it impossible for me not to forgive her and, in fact, truly appreciate her.

It's as if she is a complex and multi-faceted gem, with both its rough edges and its shining facets. And through her writing, she invites us to look beyond the flaws and see the beauty and depth that lies within.

I had high expectations for this book. I was anticipating that it would comprehensively cover the entire journey of her father's illness, starting from the diagnosis of a brain tumor all the way to his passing. I expected it to focus intently on aspects such as the days spent visiting him in the hospital, the ethical dilemmas that arose, and a daughter's adoration and glorification of her father.

However, instead, it was more like a snapshot of some several months in the life of the author. During this time, her father begins treatment for a possibly malignant tumor. It turned out to be much more about the protagonist, which is the author herself, her thoughts, and her life. As a result, it was much less emotionally draining in the way I had initially expected. Instead, it was much funnier, touching, and written with great excellence and honesty.

This is the first book that comes to my mind, that I can vividly remember, where within just three or perhaps five paragraphs, I found myself laughing out loud, then crying uncontrollably, and then laughing uproariously again. And there was not a hint of sentimentality.

It is truly delicious, and despite the extensive discussions on mental illness and neuroses, it is incredibly wholesome. I love it.

All of her books are amazing.

Each one is a masterpiece that takes the reader on a captivating journey.

The stories she weaves are filled with rich characters, vivid descriptions, and unexpected plot twists.

Whether it's a romance, a mystery, or a thriller, her writing always keeps you on the edge of your seat.

You can't help but get lost in the world she creates and become completely invested in the lives of her characters.

Her books have the power to make you laugh, cry, and everything in between.

They are not just books, but experiences that stay with you long after you've turned the last page.

It's no wonder that she has such a large and dedicated following.

If you haven't had the pleasure of reading her work yet, you're truly missing out.

Once you pick up one of her books, you'll be hooked and eager to read more.

I firmly believe that a significant number of nonfiction books would be better served if they were presented in the form of pamphlets.

Similarly, this particular novel should have been condensed into a short story, and an extremely short one at that.

To be fair, there are moments within it that are both funny and sweet. However, good heavens, something needs to actually occur! This was the thought that dominated my mind for the majority of the book.

Like countless others, I'm certain, I chose to read "Hard Laughter" because I'm a great admirer of Lamott's perspective on "Shitty First Drafts." I reasoned that I should peruse some of her fictional works in order to gain a better understanding of what she was discussing in "Bird by Bird."

Well, now I have, and I shan't make that error again!

I happened to watch an interview with Anne Lamott, and I was truly impressed by her. She is such a wonderful person, with a unique charm that is both quirky and funny. This led me to pick up one of her books.

And just like her, the book I read is also full of quirkiness and humor. It is populated with a cast of oddball characters. Some of them are related, but in a way, they all might as well be, considering how closely and intimately they are connected.

Anne Lamott has an amazing talent for depicting love and laughter, even when dealing with heartbreaking subjects. This was her very first novel, and I am now eagerly looking forward to delving into more of her works.

I gave this book three stars. The reason being that I was able to set it aside and then come back to it without any problem. It was more of a relaxed, leisurely read rather than a thrilling page-turner that would keep me glued to the pages.

Nonetheless, I still thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to see what else Anne Lamott has in store for us.