Word: reade
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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What these not-so-subtle potshots at Harvardshow is that Cousin shines most and isultimately a completely satisfying read not as acoming-of-age story, a literary analysis or atravelogue, but as the hilarious personal memoirits madcap opening (in which Stuart races tofinish her application to Harvard the morning it'sdue) purports it to be. This opening also showshow her humor is mixed in with bittersweetrecollections of a life among unfounded arroganceand neurotic quirkiness: the problem Stuart facesin writing her essay--of defining herself based onher own merits and the merits of her first cousin(once removed) Robert Lowell-soon...
...mentioned earlier, the hilarity of each story depends on the reader. This particular one barely smiled at "Lenny Bruce: The Making of a Sitcom," and bristled more than a little when she read "Adolf Hitler: The Larry King Interview." However, some of the pieces--including "The Last Supper, or the Dead Waiter," which follows the arrogant complaints of a waiter who received a small tip at the Last Supper; and "The New Judaism," which expresses fears that "the Hare Krishnas will soon be kicking our ass" and wants to rename God "Uncle Pete"--prove that Stewart can proverbially blow political...
...opening and closing monologues of "Seinfeld." On the other end of the disappointment spectrum, Whoopie Goldberg's much-anticipated Book flopped in the reviews and sales departments alike. Regurgitation of material, regardless of how funny it was the first time everyone heard it, makes for a repetitious read and a disgruntled customer. Stewart's off-the-wall and out-of-his-mind stories, whether they make you giggle or glare, must be applauded for their uncontested originality. Yes, we've all thought that Bill Gates must have made some pact with the devil. But few of us have sat down...
Also, the headline for the page three story written by Adam M. Taub should have read "HMS Chemical Spill Still Under Investigation." The Crimson regrets these errors...
While Lambert's description is clear and his prose lucid, the book stretches thin as he tries to extrapolate too many generalizations about rowing and life from his personal experience. The book begins to read like a catalogue of cliches, as Lambert winds up each vignette with trite observations that ring faintly of Chicken Soup for the Soul: "To find our calling, we must listen to all of these inner voices, which speak from, and to, the soul," and "strong teams balance variety with unity around a clear sense of purpose," are some of the reflections and advice he offers...