Customer Reviews

Everything Is Wrong with Me: A Memoir of an American Childhood Gone, Well, Wrong

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I'll preface my review with the fact that I was skeptical about another blogger's first effort as a published novelist, especially a memoir. Having been a regular reader of JasonMulgrew.com and really enjoying it for years, I figured this purchase was like payback for all the hilarious stories that have been a welcome respite from life's day to day, mundane moments.

Ok, so now onto the book. Wow! I am happily surprised and very impressed with Jason's storytelling, subject matter, fantastic humor and the fact that this is not just a replication of his blog posts over the years. Although I do think that could have potentially worked.

I highly urge readers both familiar and especially unfamiliar with his writing style to give this book a well deserved read. Readers will really definitely enjoy his take on youth and many should appreciate the subject matter, which is highly reliant on a son's relationship with his father. As a fan of Jonathan Ames novels, a Confederacy of Dunces and anything that shows humorous worldviews, I welcome this writing effort which shows an underreported slice of Philly.

I believe this first effort will likely not be the last we hear from Jason. An update to this will likely occur as afterthoughts of this book occur to me. Also, I'd appreciate any recommendations of similar reads to this, which will satisfy me need for well written humor. Enjoy!

I literally laughed out loud reading this book numerous times. Fun, quick read, and his warped sense of humor is incredibly witty. Check it out!

Like most of you, my bathroom doubles as my library. Besides deep thought and sometimes a little pain, I occasionally like to read entertaining "literature." This book makes the grade.

If you like The Dudsons, Jackass, Kids in the Hall, The Bed Intruder song, or long walks on the beach with another man, you will love this book.

It's a real quick read and you will be laughing out loud (which can benefit the primary function of the bathroom).

If you are interested in entering the mind of a quick wit with serious questions regarding his sexuality all based on an upbringing that is uniquely Philadelphian and equally dysfunctional, then this book is for you. (author realizes this is a run-on sentence)

I'd give this book "5 flushes." It's my version of the star scale and also is a good proxy for how long it will take you to finish this book.

This ain't for Reading Rainbow but should make its way to your bookshelf (or basket next to toilet near the wipes).

Overall Excellent

Like most other reviewers, I am a fan of Jason's blog, mostly because of his completely inappropriate over-sharing and willingness to discuss his bird. I also enjoy stories of ludicrously dysfunctional families and those who survive them (having done so myself) so I was really looked forward to the book. I got it and tore through it in short order. I was disappointed to realize I was really disappointed. I even re-read a few chapters to be sure it wasn't simply me having overly high expectations, but the stories still fell flat. I couldn't figure out why.

It's been a few weeks now and I think I've figured it out: Either he's too young or I'm too old. Or both.

I am convinced Jason -- at the ripe old age of 30 -- is still too close to his past to get a really meaningful perspective on it. He almost gets there a few times, but overall the project is missing some crucial things; time, distance, and another couple hundred whacks upside the head by the Baseball Bat of Life. Even another ten years would have helped. Twenty probably would have been perfect.

As for me being too old (yeah, I'm 50) I'm thinking I'm too old to appreciate Jason's limited perspective on his youth. He's still too close to it to have gained the insight necessary to give the stories their full measure of... ridiculousness.

Also, I am not sure if he really did bang this thing out right at the deadline as he said, but it did kind of read like it. Another couple of drafts (of the book, not beers) might also have helped.

So even though this book just didn't get me there, I think he's funny as hell and I hope he tries again in a couple of decades.

I am currently a student at the University of Pennsylvania, born and raised in South Philly. Going to school where most people aren't from Philly, i've learned how "different" my childhood was compared to most of my peers. My friends at school are always telling me to write a memoir of my childhood experiences. Well, Jason Mulgrew has already done that. He hilariously writes about his childhood experiences and family history in such a way that the reader cannot help but to laugh histerically. Reading this book brought back a lot of memories from when I was growing up and reminded me of all the similar experiences of myself, my family, and my hometown friends.
His work is not only hilarious but also very well-written. This book is an exremely and entertaining read. I read this book cover to cover without moving. Simply outstanding.

This book is one of the funniest I've read in a while. I was aware of his blog and some of his stories just killed me, especially the reply to the sex tips. Mulgrew told many funny family stories that made me laugh out. I read this to and from work on the train and got stares from fellow passengers as I tried not to laugh out loud, especially at some of the pictures. Just remembering the picture of him as a young lesbian makes me laugh. If you like David Sedaris and Chelsea Handler, you'll love this book.

While Mulgrew's stories aren't all directly relatable* (how many people can say their dad was arrested for attempted murder on their first Christmas or that they were used as a cover story for their grandfather's gambling ring?), the themes are universal. Everyone has experienced the awkwardness of adolescence, and every family has a few loose cannons. Everything Is Wrong with Me will have readers laughing along with Mulgrew and realizing that having a dysfunctional family isn't always a curse.

*However, as a South Philly native myself, I sadly relate to his his stories all too well.

If you like the humor in Jason Mulgrew's blog, then you will love this book. Its like being able to read 30 blog entries in a row. I personally thought the book was hilarious and laughed out loud several times.

Hilarious read, particularly if you are a fan of witty, educated humor. A well-written perspective of childhood that reminds you of aspects of your own. Ridiculously funny stories with a great touch of sentimentality. The stories are even more humorous and unbelievable when you are reminded that they actually happened. Highly recommended for readers and non-readers alike. An easy, quick, cheap, funny read. Well worth the low price, you can't go wrong.

Great book! I read very few things that make me laugh out load, and I did throughout this book! If you like the blog, you'll love the book. It's a fairly quick read. The pictures are the icing on the cake.