Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Doubleday (2001), Edition: 1St Edition
Description
From This American Life alum David Rakoff comes a hilarious collection that single-handedly raises self-deprecation to an art form. Whether impersonating Sigmund Freud in a department store window during the holidays, climbing an icy mountain in cheap loafers, or learning primitive survival skills in the wilds of New Jersey, Rakoff clearly demonstrates how he doesn't belong-nor does he try to. In his debut collection of essays, Rakoff uses his razor-sharp wit and snarky humor to deliver a barrage of damaging blows that, more often than not, land squarely on his own jaw-hilariously satirizing the writer, not the subject. Joining the wry and the heartfelt, Fraud offers an object lesson in not taking life, or ourselves, too seriously.
User reviews
LibraryThing member arouse77
This collection of essays are the offering of a compatriot of the laudable “this American life” crew. After hearing him read on the show a few weeks ago I felt it likely worth my while to grab his book if he was anywhere near as thoughtful and entertaining as his fellows david Sedaris & Sarah
Unabashedly intellectual and fiercely opinionated, this author has a facility of language somewhat rare in the ranks of the modern humorist. Not since twain and wilde has such a fierce wit been paired with such keen nuance of the written communique. Highly educated and ruthlessly self deprecating rakoff leads us into a series of fascinating excursions to places no less far flung than Tokyo, reykjavik, & new jersey,
narrating with his distinctly wicked but undeniably compelling perspective. While not more than occasionally laugh out loud funny, this book felt somehow less trivial than most of the humor reading I do. Peppered with words and phrases I had to look up (she admits to her chagrin) I walked away from this one feeling edified; not just because I felt safer armed with my dictionary, but because of the amusing yet nonetheless consistently thought provoking observations of this transparently erudite author. Well worth it, recommended.
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vowell; lucky me, he is.Unabashedly intellectual and fiercely opinionated, this author has a facility of language somewhat rare in the ranks of the modern humorist. Not since twain and wilde has such a fierce wit been paired with such keen nuance of the written communique. Highly educated and ruthlessly self deprecating rakoff leads us into a series of fascinating excursions to places no less far flung than Tokyo, reykjavik, & new jersey,
narrating with his distinctly wicked but undeniably compelling perspective. While not more than occasionally laugh out loud funny, this book felt somehow less trivial than most of the humor reading I do. Peppered with words and phrases I had to look up (she admits to her chagrin) I walked away from this one feeling edified; not just because I felt safer armed with my dictionary, but because of the amusing yet nonetheless consistently thought provoking observations of this transparently erudite author. Well worth it, recommended.
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LibraryThing member Daedalus
Reading about Rakoff's experience with Seagal was funny. The rest of it genuinely felt like the critics were defrauding me.
LibraryThing member rosencrantz79
Yes, they're both funny. Yes, they're both writers. Yes, they both contribute to the greatest radio show on earth, This American Life. And though they also both happen to be called "David," there are major distinctions to be made between Sedaris and Rakoff. I love them both, but I think I have to
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lean toward Rakoff purely on the basis of his cynicism, world-weariness and irritation. Having not only read the book but listened to the audio cd, I can say without qualification that this is one of the funniest books I've read/heard, ever. Period. Show Less
LibraryThing member krashtest
The Briefest Review: Piss yourself funny. Dislike the cover, though.
LibraryThing member ElDoradoHills
Hilarious essays on the annoyances of life that give substance to concerns I usually feel petty about (like hating cats and wondering if I use the word "dude" too much). Highly recommended to Daivd Sedaris fans.
LibraryThing member ablueidol
Funny, witty with deep under currents and wider range then David Sedaris
LibraryThing member SirRoger
I like these more the second time. Verbose, yes, but oh, so true.
LibraryThing member 2percentmilk
I found Rakoff's book thoroughly funny, especially his experience working at a ice cream parlor for a funny Greek couple.
Some of the stories though, I felt as though I was waiting for the funny/interesting parts.
Overall, a very funny book!
Some of the stories though, I felt as though I was waiting for the funny/interesting parts.
Overall, a very funny book!
LibraryThing member sweans
I read this book hoping it would be like a David Sedaris book. Silly me. No one is like David Sedaris! I still really liked the book and will probably read another one by Rakoff. I feel a little smarter after reading this book. I look up words I'm not sure of when I read and I lost count of how
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many I had to look up in Fraud! It was like he was writing with a thesaurus in hand. Show Less
LibraryThing member auntangi
I have enjoyed David Rakoff's essay on PRI's "This American Life" for years, so I was quite excited to read this book of essays. The first several essays were quite light and clever, with just a hint of darkness...classic Rakoff. As I read on, however, the essays lacked any hint of snarky and,
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well, just wern't funny. Now, this might have been by design. Mr. Rakoff is not David Sedaris (although on the radio they have very similar voices) and his goal is not to make us laugh. Perhaps, he intended to ease the reader in with the lightness and once we were hooked, bring on the deep. And this is not to say that they were not well written, just not exactly what I signed up for. I don't know if I will read him again...might just stick with listening to him on "TAL". Show Less
LibraryThing member kishields
The essay on Steuben seagull leading a spirituality retreat at Omega House is to die for. If you like David Rakoff on "This American Life" you will not be disappointed by this funny collection.
LibraryThing member JeremyPreacher
Generally amusing - the Tom Brown Jr camp essay was particularly interesting to me, as was the Freud-in-the-window experiment. Rakoff's essays mostly struck me as too self-serious to be really funny, but he's clearly very sharp and a good writer.
Awards
Lambda Literary Award (Winner — Humor — 2001)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2001-06
Physical description
8.3 inches
ISBN
0385658311 / 9780385658317