Customer Reviews

Way to Go, Smith!

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Way to Go, Smith! is a wonderful follow up to Openly Bob. Tender and humourous, it invites the reader to know intimate details of a relationship gone south without having the tell-all tone so common in most media today. Anyone who has had a fight over something as seemily innocuous as spaghetti tongs, read this book!

What a great book! I've read all 3 books Bob has written (Growing Up Gay, Openly Bob & this one.) He's a terrific writer. As I read his books, I think I'm reading my own life's story. I can really relate to his experiences -- love, relationships, family & friends. I looked forward to this new book because it felt like I was catching up with an old friend. Several times I caught myself laughing out loud at something he had written.

I definitely connected with him when he wrote about cutting out pictures in the 4th grade -- his excellent eye/hand coordination as demonstrated by his superb cutting skills did not serve him well when he played baseball. How true!

I've heard Bob Smith perform a couple of times. He's as terrific in person as he is on paper. A truly funny, personable guy!

Way to Go, Smith, is a definite read - as are all of his books. I can't wait until the next one is printed!

If you read Openly Bob, you must buy this book. If you've ever ended a long relationship, you really must buy this book! Once again Bob Smith has written a funny, touching, honest book for the gay man of the 90's. I wish this book had been out (no pun intended) when I ended my relationship. It would have been much more helpful than Absolut, Billie Holiday, and Reese peanut butter cups! Get this for yourselves and your friends. It also wouldn't hurt for your straight friends to read this.

I was a classmate of Bob Smith's in our mutual hometown of Kenmore. I spoke with him for the first time since high school at our 25th class reunion this past weekend, which prompted me to read this book.

Bob, in fairness, was less a funny guy in school than he was that common breed of jackass that tries and fails to stand out through annoying behavior (the true standouts at Kenmore West were Lunsford the black guy, Paul the Dwarf & Dave the Guy Whose Legs Were Cut Off by the Train - everyone was reeeeeall nice to all of them, but deep down we were all afraid of catching what they had - who would have guessed that we had a gay guy too?). He has evidently, however, developed a genuine sense of humor in the intervening years.

Bob's homosexuality is by no means the sole focus of this autobiographical book, although it is prominently mentioned as a vital element of his life.

What is more interesting from the standpoint of the general reader is that Bob is blessed with two essentials that all first rate writers have - an almost supernaturally accurate memory and a deep humanity. He mentions a number of little details, such as the patriotic repainting of the Kenmore fire hydrants for the bicentennial, that I had long forgotten; the description (other than the name, which he changed for the book) of the coming of age of our schoolmate who went on to commit a murder is, while wrenching, treated in a most poignant fashion.

I truly wanted to give Bob 4 stars as a belated revenge for his flinging a humongous spit wad onto the back of my head in the seventh grade, but honesty demands 5.

I loved Bob Smith's "Openly Bob." So, I was cheered to find his second collection of essays. I thought it was better than the Lambda Award-winning "Openly Bob." Just wonderful and laugh-outloud funny. I am just sorry that Bob and Tom didn't work out. Sigh....

I picked this book after reading bobs first book, this book did not disappoint. Hilarious as it is poignant, it , like his first book affected me personally. Relaying the ups and downs in his personal life and in dealing with his family. When readign bobs books you get the feeling of listening to an old friend and you learn to laugh and cry at the obstacles of life. An overall great book, and heres to many more from Bob Smith, a man i admire and, hers to a great 2000!

Another glimpse into the wonderful, hilarious mind of Bob Smith. In this book he tackles several subject matters more serious than in his previous work (and many others not so serious), but of course he peppers these poignant moments with his special brand of humor. From the painful breakup of a 10 year relationship to dealing with his father's alcohol-related illness, Bob manages to touch the reader's heart and funny bone. I highly recommend this book.

I love this book. Actually, I love all three of his books. This book is a must read for anyone who has recently broken up with a boyfriend and needs a chuckle and a little hope. I love everything Bob writes. I subscribe to 'Out' magazine just to see what he writes next. I'm ready for the next book. Keep 'em coming, Bob.

I was sad to hear about Tom and Bob, and the first chapter made me want to cry, but this is an Excellent book. When I was reading it, the thought, 'why can't my friends be this interesting?' was circling through my mind. Anyone who can make his high school year book entertaining deserves large sums of money. I hope his life works as well as Kurt!

What makes a good author, in my opinion, is his or her ability to capture the human condition in such a way that it comes across as real.

What makes a good comedian, again in my opinion, is to take slices of ordinary life and see the humor in them. Mr. Smith is clearly capable in both areas. While he's not the only person (let alone gay one) to see a relationship end, his ability to harness all of the involved elements (the concerned family, division of the utensils, joint custody of mutual friends and the eventual return to the single's scene) and make them both funny and touching.

It may not be as funny if you can't "relate" .. but for anyone who has ever addressed and gotten through a painful situation through humor, this book is a treat.