Back Catalogue » (Not That You Asked)
A collection of essays and opinions.
- September 11, 2007
- Random House
- ISBN: 1400066190
What's Inside
- Prologue: How This Book Became an Official Oprah Book Club™ Pick (Not That You Asked)
- Why I Crush On Vonnegut (Not That You Asked)
- About My Sexual Failure (Not That You Asked)
- Why, Upon Publication of This Book, I Will Have to Leave the City of Boston Under Cover of Night (Not That You Asked)
- Concerning the Laughable Nature of Literary Fame (Not That You Asked)
- A Recipe to Die For, A Band to Worship (Not That You Asked)
- In Tribute to My Republican Homeys (Not That You Asked)
- How I Became a Baby Daddy (Not That You Asked)
Reviews
"This collection of essays on everything from Oprah's Book Club to the joy of being a new father displays all the qualities that have made Almond's short stories (The Evil B.B. Chow) and nonfiction (Candyfreak) entertaining. The wicked humor of "Dear Oprah" features an in-your-face attack on "the Savior of Publishing" and her book club, followed by equally obsequious apologies, including a "gift of trust" to her of his baby daughter. A section titled "About My Sexual Failure (Not That You Asked)" offers brutally honest dissections of his sexual obsessions as well as those of past girlfriends, including chest waxing, fake breasts and masturbating in the family pool. "Demagogue Days" is a hilarious look at Almond's experience with Fox News that displays an abiding disgust at current arbiters of cultural and political life in America as well as an enduring empathy for the underdog. But best of all is a beautiful and angry essay on "The Failed Prophecy of Kurt Vonnegut (and How It Saved My Life)," a look at Vonnegut's career-long concern over "whether mankind would survive its own despicable conduct" that serves as a summation of Almond's personal and literary ethos."
— Publisher's Weekly
"Almond has an original, fresh voice and compelling stories to share. Never the least bit pretentious, both his prose and subject matter are accessible, and his righteous indignation is as pleasant as righteous indignation can be. Whether bemoaning the inanity of reality television, justifying his love for the cheese-metal band Tesla or good-naturedly ragging on Oprah Winfrey, he scores big in every chapter of this must-have collection. Biting humor, honesty, smarts and heart: Vonnegut himself would have been proud." (Starred review)
— Kirkus Reviews
In addition to my print reviews, I've inspired a video tribute (of sorts) which you can check out on YouTube.