Customer Reviews

We're Just Like You, Only Prettier: Confessions of a Tarnished Southern Belle

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I was laughing out loud all over several airports as I read this book. It IS funny, but much more crass and much more derogative of other people than I expected. I was briefly allowed the privilege of living in the South and bought this book as my celebration and induction into the southern belle club. Very true to life, a belly-aching laugh of a read, but you have to be prepared to filter out some profanity, etc. I probably wouldn't buy it again and only gave it to my sister to read because she knows me well enough to know my character. Decide for yourself what you want to take in, and what you don't. 3-star rating is because of the items mentioned above - otherwise it would get a 4.

I am a victim of Hurricane Katrina. Just before the storm, I bought this book because I am huge fan of southern lit. After the storm, our house was fine but we were out of power for a couple weeks. One of the highlights of the storm was sitting around and passing this book and taking turns reading excerpts to everyone. With so much destruction and devastation around us, it was nice to laugh till we cried, instead of just crying. The men laughed just as hard as we did at a "girl book" We read the book and looked forward to better days.

KS Hattiesburg, MS

I've never read a book in a weekend. Ever. But, I couldn't put this book down! Born and raised in Richmond, VA (which any true Southerner will tell you, is much further south than Atlanta, GA), I completely relate to Celia Rivenbark's rants about Mommy Wars, southern life, and mullets. Unfortunately, I'm just not elequent enough to describe how wonderful this book is. Celia, if you read this, you've gained a loyal fan, and I plan on spreading the word about this book around the office tomorrow... after the painful, but inevitable, staff meeting.

Celia Rivenbark does it again with a fabulous encore to her first book, "Bless Your Heart, Tramp." Celia's short essays are perfect for keeping by the bedside. Read a couple before bed and you're sure to fall asleep with a smile on your face. Although frequently compared to the "Sweet Potato Queen" books, I think Celia's books are a more accurate reflection of the "real" south and the people who live here. The south has become quite the melting pot of people from all over the country (and even some foreigners, believe it or not) and Celia does a great job of depicting the new southern woman who may, in fact, be from New Jersey or EVEN California. The northern stereotype of the southern woman who whiles away her days tending the tulips and daffodils, breaking only to beat the kids and get hubby an evening cocktail, doesn't exist. Celia's stories are hilarious and should ring true to anyone who's spent time in the south with an open mind and a sense of humor.

We're Just Like You, Only Prettier, is a whole lot like Bless Your Heart, Tramp...only funnier! This "tarnished Southern Belle" rings out loud and clear, giving her testimony of collards, chicken pan pie and bacon grease to a lost and hungry world. The beauty of the Rivenbark message is that she not only preaches to the choir of southerners--oh no--she invites all of those who seek, no matter their denomination, to turn in their hymnals and listen to the gospel according to Aunt Sudavee, Mama and Them, Princess Sophie and even Carmela Soprano. Sermons include Sister Celia's take on (1) child rearing: "Junior, you either get your scrawny butt off that floor right now or you can just kiss your banana Popsicles good-bye and don't even THINK about that Star Track lunch box!"; (2) men at baby showers: "(they) wear that frozen look of horror that is usually reserved for when they discover that ESPN's showing the world figure skating championships" and (3) weight gain: "30% of overweight people are suffering from the (fat) virus. Lordy, give us a telethon! We can all waddle to the center court at the mall, eat butter-drenched pretzels, and beg for bucks!" So come all ye faithful in need of a good revival and plop down the price for a hard-backed edition as a love offering for the Right Rev. Rivenbark. It's good for what ails you.

Ever since I read the "Sweet Potato Queens Book of Love," I have been hooked on literature for Southern women. When I saw the title of Celia Rivenbark's new book, "We're Just Like You, Only Prettier," I knew this is an author for me. Everything she writes about is humorous and timely, at least for me...having a child when you're a little "more mature," having long pretty nails, taking your precious child anywhere, family, etc. Celia is a hoot! Now I can't wait to read "Bless Your Heart, Tramp." I read "We're Just Like You, Only Prettier" in one sitting. This is a wonderful, entertaining book!

This book is a winner for us G.R.I.T.S. I laughed until I spit tears. I will admit that the stories are better from the middle back, but overall I still give this book 5 stars.

There are times when I too would like "to curl my fingers around a cheese knife and just let nature take its course..."

Reviewer Stuckin NC USA either read a different book than I, or more likely, was venting about a personal agenda that had nothing to do with Celia Rivenbark's book. While Stuckin revealed true bigotry in her own observations about Southern women, Rivenbark's hilarious mocking of Southern stereotypes and human experience gets to the heart of us, Southern or not. If you can read this book without 1. Revisiting your childhood, 2. Recognizing your own relatives, 3. Seeing yourself (and laughing), 4. Looking nervously at your political-correctness, or 5. Realizing that life is really very, very funny, you are hopelessly humor-impaired. If We're Just Like You, Only Prettier doesn't cure you of excessive seriousness, then you need another dose--read Bless Your Heart, Tramp right away.

This hysterical follow-up to BLESS YOUR HEART, TRAMP kept me laughing and crying throughout every riotous chapter. Celia Rivenbark is a must read for all Southern women and the rest of the nation that doesn't understand them. You'll learn what it's like to be an oh-so-not-the-junior-league working mother, from cereal bars in the car on the way to pre-school, only to discover their teacher makes them tell the class what they had for breakfast("the most important meal of the day") to why daddies should NEVER, EVER be allowed to dress the children for public appearances, and countless other insights that had me laughing out loud for hours and making my Mid-western friends listen to excerpts over the telephone. I'm compelled to wear my little fake tiarra while I read it! I can't wait for Celia's next book!

I read We're Just Like You, Only Prettier because it came recommended to me after reading Laurie Notaro's books. This one did not disappoint. Rivenbark's collection of essays are hilarious and honest. Rivenbark is not your prim and proper Southern belle, nor does she try to hide this fact. She's witty and downright funny. I loved the story "And What Did You Have For Breakfast, Dear?" as well as "Never Saw `Em Before in My Life." I couldn't stop laughing out loud when I read those. The one I did not like? The one about how the Sopranos could not survive in the South.