Customer Reviews

As I Lay Frying: A Rehoboth Beach Memoir

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the interest of full disclosure, Fay Jacobs is a dear friend of mine. I knew she was funny before I ever read her book, because she's been making me laugh for the last eleven years by just talking. However, talking funny and writing funny are two different things -- and I'm happy to report that Fay does both extremely well. Fay is a unique and fascinating, "strange and extraordinary person" -- she's Jewish, she's gay, she and her partner chucked a "normal life" in the suburbs mid-career to build a new life for themselves by the ocean, a move that many of us would like to make but few have the guts to follow through on. And yet, despite the uniqueness of her situation, she tells her story in such a way that can reach everyone: straights, gays, guys, girls, and goys alike. Though I lived through many of the tales chronicled in "As I Lay Frying" alongside Fay & Bonnie, I'm still surprised when I read these accounts; Fay sees humor in things I didn't even notice at the time. Not everyone gets to have friends like Fay & Bonnie -- but buying this book might just be the next best thing.

Fay is an extraordinary writer with a wonderful sense of humor. She made me and my family and friends laugh out loud. I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much as we did! Thanks to Fay for writing it and sharing her life with us. Loved reading it so much that I sent one to my sister and loaned my copy to a friend who dropped mistakenly dropped it in a lake but still refuses to give it back so I gotta go and order myself another one to have on hand.

Did you ever read a book (and I KNOW you have) where you started to slow down toward the end because you didn't want to finish it? That's how I felt with Fay Jacobs' "As I Lay Frying." I also felt as though I had made a whole bunch of new friends in the town of Rehoboth Beach, DE, and I wasn't done with my visit because I was having waaay too much fun.

It was not a quiet read, either. I found myself making that occasional snorting sound that explosive laughter sometimes causes, now that I'm beyond the age where I can produce anything that resembles a giggle. And I wept once, but I won't tell you where, because that might wreck it for you.

I've already checked -- apparenatly there's no "prequel." So, Ms. Jacobs, get yourself busy, please. Summer's coming and I want another visit, so you'd best get started on the sequel!

As I read the series of stories about Fay, Bonnie, the dogs, 'their son the actor', and the various cohorts that they run with in Rehobeth Beach and beyond, I can't help but be drawn in by Fay Jacob's commentary not only on her life, but our lives as Americans, and the struggles and wonders that we experience on grand and small scales.

Each story, whether it means to or not, forces me to look at part of my life in a different way, whether its my fascination with garden machinery (go Bonnie!), or how we, as a group, reacted to the tragedy of 9/11/01. And the whole time, I find something to laugh about.

Who knew that I, a white guy in a big city, had so much in couple with a lesbian couple in Delaware. I hope Fay keeps writing. I'll be the first to buy her next book. I highly recommend buying this book.

Very funny and book. I can relate to alot of her stories since I make Rehobeth Beach my annual vacation spot.

Thoroughly enjoyable look at life in a small resort town. Ms. Jacob's essays are insightful, witty and thought provoking. A wonderful testament to a place that welcomes and embraces diversity and allows gay people to feel accepted for who they are and what they can contribute to the community.

Fay always has a great perspective on life! I had the pleasure of reading this book while on the Beach in Rehoboth with my family and I could not put it down. I can't wait until her next book is out!

This book was a great vicarious escape to a wonderful resort. If you have ever been to, heard of or plan to go to Rehoboth Beach, you will love this book.