Customer Reviews

Too Soon to Tell

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Humorist Trillin's 1995 collection of the best of his "New Yorker" columns, maintains a consistent deadpan humor and amiable cynicism, whether the subject is bestselling writers who don't write their own books, teenagers' comprehension of rock lyrics, or the rehabilitation of Nixon.

Trillin is at his most caustic with politicians and icons of corporate culture. His wife and two daughters feature prominently, as always, allowing him to play the hapless, push-over curmudgeon. Wry and economical with words, Trillin takes on any aspect of American culture that strikes his fancy and gets to the nub of absurdity without ever resorting to sneers or viciousness. A delight, as Trillin's collections always are.

Calvin Trillin has two qualities that distinguish him as a writer. One is a great talent for deadpan wit, and the other is a true amateur's enthusiasm for everything he tries.

The latter serves him best when he's writing about food, or about travel, or about everyday life in New York, but less so when he writes about politics and world events. His perspective on his own countrymen is often narrow, provincial, and downright condescending. He can't bring himself to admit that someone could hold different views from his and still be a moral person.

But no matter. There's still a nice variety of wit and droll observation contained in this volume to make up for the pieces that fall flat.