Book Review!
August 5th, 2006Why Moms Are Weird by Pamela Ribon
Before I jump into reviewing the book, I have to confess that I’m a fan of Pamie from way back. I’ve been reading pamie.com for about 5 or 6 years or another semi-random number I am sort of pulling out of the air since I can’t be bothered to look up the exactness of how long it’s been. It was four webpages ago. (For me.)
Anyway, I admire Pamie, and I think she’s funny. So now I’m going to review her latest book. (Why Girls Are Weird is the previous one, and I totally recommend it.)
First, I just want to say that I think the cult of the Chick Lit is totally gross and patronizing. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Shopoholic books. Everyone likes some candy now and then. God knows I can have a two hour conversation about hair. But you know? Modern girls have real stories that are still funny and smart and yet not about shopping or shoes. And they get packaged up like Chick Lit, like the stuff that happens to girls doesn’t matter. I don’t mean to get all diatribe on you guys, but it needs to be said. Especially for Pamie’s books, because they come on all Chick Lit with the covers and the blurbs, but when you read them they’re not like that. Not exactly.
Ok, here, I’ll give you an example. My parents moved to Indonesia when I was 19. Then they came back (cause there was a revolution) and had a resturant for about 4 years. And now my dad drives a truck, and he and my mom live out of hotel rooms. They don’t have a house or an apartment or anything. They don’t really live anywhere.
That could be really wacky, right? Totally all sitcom with the exasperated punk rock daughter and the canned laugh track with commercials for detergent and beer wedged between my dad’s latest craaazy scheme. But here’s the thing. That shit is not funny or wacky when it’s your life and your family. It sucks. It’s almost impossible to explain the depth of the sucking.
And when Pam writes about situations that might be traditionally wacky, she doesn’t turn away from the depth of how bad that sucks when it’s you. Another writer– a Chick Lit writer– might play the whole situation for superficial laughs, but not Pam. Don’t get me wrong, there’s laughter in the book, but it’s the kind of laughter that has acid and razor blades under it. The way you laugh when if you didn’t forcefully keep reminding yourself of how goddamn funny this is, you might lose your shit completely.
I wondered if Pam had peeked into my mom’s “art” room. (Read– room completely packed with garbage that is so precious it can never be thrown away. My original birth certificate? Lost forever. But there’s a four foot high stack of Martha Stewart Living.) That was a little like being poked in a bruise you didn’t even know was there. The parts about Benny growing up fat, well. That’s just like having the exact same scar as someone else.
I felt like the book was sadder than the previous one. Or maybe I was just sadder. I don’t know. I gave it to Mik to read, so she can comment on it later. I know she’ll have a different perspective since it’s not as close to home for her.
Now, the verdict. Should you read Why Moms Are Weird? Totally. You totally totally should. Pam has a really great voice, and I’ve always enjoyed her style. I really hope she does more Weird books. Cause I like ‘em lots.