I haven’t decided whether great personal essays are borne more out of leading an interesting life or being a talented writer. It’s probably a combination of the two elements, one feeding off the other in varying degrees until the right relationship is struck. But then there’s the actual work of getting all those funny, insightful ideas down on the page, which throws in another variable. So truthfully, there is no single answer, no real recipe for creating great stories about one’s personal life. That’s probably why the quality of the genre is so inconsistent.

But still, reading about David Rakoff’s hike up a mountain in New Hampshire on Christmas day, his search for the Loch Ness Monster, or his experience at the Sixth Annual Comedy Arts Festival in Vail, Colorado, I was awe-struck not so much by his life, but by his ability to describe it so perfectly. And what was going on around him was never as important as what was happening in his head. After reading this, I’d be willing to read his thoughts on grocery shopping or doing laundry.

But still, I know those two stories would not be nearly as interesting as his experiences in the book. Bizarre situations are requisite if any worthwhile observation is to take place. I remember I had a writing instructor who told me, “be safe in real life -- go crazy on the page.” I always resented that advice, and thought it was untrue. I’m glad to see David Rakoff feels the same way.

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Fraud :: by (published 2001) read: 1 August 2002 rating: [+]

Fraud ::
by (published 2001)
read: 1 August 2002
rating: [+]