I'd Rather Laugh : How to Be Happy Even When Life Has Other Plans for You (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "I'm not supposed to be writing this book..." (more)
Key Phrases: prosperity incense, rather laugh, New York, Happy Sammy, Sad Sammy (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Remember "Coffee Talk," the Saturday Night Live skit with the Barbara Streisand-loving, constantly verklempt character portrayed by Mike Myers, who encouraged listeners to "talk amongst themselves"? Linda Richman was the inspiration for her. (Myers is her son-in-law; a sharp sense of humor apparently runs in the family.) Like the "Coffee Talk" lady, Richman teaches people how to handle suffering through laughter. She's so good at it that she teaches a seminar on the topic at the posh Canyon Ranch Health Resort in Arizona.

But she speaks from some harrowing experiences. Several friends and relatives have battled cancer. Her 29-year-old son died in a car crash. Her depressed, institutionalized mother died a few days later after falling into a coma (her final words to her daughter: "Linda, you got fat"). In case you're thinking, "Sheesh, how depressing, who wants to read about that stuff?" think again. Her friend Rosie O'Donnell, who wrote the foreword, raves about "Linda-isms." Richman is a modern-day Norman Cousins, but she talks like your best friend--a very witty, resilient friend--offering an inspiring tribute to the power of humor. (Or is it denial?) Heck, what difference does it make, when Richman's "pity party" has you laughing and crying so hard simultaneously?

From Publishers Weekly

Best known as the mother-in-law of comedian Mike Myers and the inspiration for his "Coffee Talk" character on Saturday Night Live, Richman plays it for real in this rambling autobiographical summary of her spiritual journey (through psychotherapy, psychics and a trip to the Holy Land) after she was unhinged by the death of her son, Jordan, at age 29, in a car accident. Richman has had more than her share of hard knocks: her father died when she was eight and her husband had a gambling habit, leading her to become an agoraphobic, unable to leave her home for 11 years. Delivered in a flat, New York tone, Richman, now a lecturer at the posh Canyon Ranch spa (and prone to name-dropping), stresses the importance of making time for fun in one's life ("Fun is better than no fun"). However, she also emphasizes that it's important to accept and embrace the bad. When sadness becomes overwhelming, Richman recommends a two-day, in-bed "pity party." Practical, poignant and funny, this selection leaves listeners feeling as though they have spent an afternoon with a bossy, albeit well-meaning friend. Simultaneous release with the Warner hardcover (Forecasts, Jan. 1).

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (January 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446526762
• ISBN-13: 978-0446526760
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (92 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #791,319 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Find Contentment From The Inside..., January 23, 2001

By A Customer

Your Happiness Is There For Good. This is a powerful life altering book in the disguise of a humorous bitter sweet story of a Jewish woman from Queens. I loved it! Linda tells of how she works with many people who you would think are happy because of all their wealth, power and material possessions, but that is not necessarily the case. Wealth, power and material possessions are great to have but having satisfaction, loving relationships and fun is even more rewarding. I found her writing style to be easy to follow and not too philosophical where I could attain the self realization she writes of. I feel I have gained a friendship through reading Linda's book, one which I look forward to visiting with from time to time.

I liked where Linda writes "Express all your feelings, sorrow and joy and everything in between. Repressing them makes you numb." To fight or to try and change them just doesn't work. Another wonderful book that came to mind for me is called "Working On Yourself Doesn't Work" by Ariel and Shya Kane. Linda and the Kanes both write of how simple non judgmental noticing of how you are will transform your life. Where you live life directly as a true expression of yourself.

I also appreciated Linda's avocation of having lots of fun in your life. I rented two of the movies mentioned in her book and like reading Linda's book I cried, laughed and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I highly recommend buying and reading both "Working On Yourself Doesn't Work" by the Kanes and "I'd Rather Laugh" by Linda Richman.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars i'd rather laugh if i could, December 22, 2000

By A Customer

i just finished reading this and i'm exhausted from laughing and crying. lindas wit and wisdom have lifted my own spirits. i just loved this book.. shes funny, smart, witty and has lived through what most of us have lived through and much more. she seems to be able to talk to you as you would to a best friend.. i admire her strength, vulnerability and courage but most of all i loved her honestly. she exposes a heart that has been broken and repaired many times.. her life lessons are a real inspiration. i recommend this book to all of those who have suffered losses of any kind. people who have lost anyone can relate to this book. anyone who has lost a dream will relate to this.. we all hope our lives turn out a certain way and when it doesn't we're disappointed... this book shows us how to return to joy and laughter with some practical help.. nothing airy fairy here. i thank linda for writing this book .

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'D RATHER LAUGH, January 4, 2001

By A Customer

I would recommend this book to anyone who has gone through (or is going through) the hardships of life and still has not found their way out. Linda has a wonderful and funny way of helping us with almost everything that life brings us.

She has been to hell and back and she can still laugh. She had me in tears and also laughing so hard, I thought my sides would split. But most of all, she made me think about how I live my life and how I handle all the problems that come my way. It's more than just a self-help book, it's her life story and it's one very good read.

Do yourself a big favor today. Buy the book. You will laugh and cry, but you will also learn so much about yourself too.