This is a double review of two works by British columnist,
Caitlin Moran. Moran currently writes
three different columns on television, pop culture, and the cult of celebrity
for UK paper, The Times.
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The main criticism I have with Moran’s collection is that
most of the essays are very short, sometimes only clocking in at two pages. I enjoy her style of writing and brand of
humor, so I wanted her to discuss bad fashion and coffee at a greater
length. Moranthology also lacks any greater narrative or chronological cohesion
which, in this short form style, doesn’t necessarily matter. However, I was occasionally curious when
certain events were occurring in her life; but without any entry dates, I just
had to let it go. She does attempt to
link the sections with a series of late night conversations held with her half
asleep husband (much to his chagrin), but don’t hold out for any thematic
organization. This is why I was looking
forward to reading her memoir, How to Be
a Woman, which I did immediately after finishing Moranthology.
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There is some overlap in stories with the two books and the
narrower point of view of How to Be a
Woman means it is less likely to appeal to as diverse of an audience. Additionally, the narrative isn’t as tight
from chapter to chapter as I would have hoped, but that wasn’t enough to
detract from my enjoyment at all.
Cover blurbs on both books insist Moran is the UK’s answer
to Tina Fey; while I also loved Bossypants
and there are definitely some similarities in their subjects of work and
family, I think Moran’s tone is closer to that of Chelsea Handler. Moran’s humor is definitely more sharp and
biting than Fey’s and she has a greater proclivity to speak frankly about sex. In that case, I would also recommend Handler’s
Are You There Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea
or Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris.
~Meredith T.
~Meredith T.
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