I Was Told There'd Be Cake: Essays
Ratings20
Average rating3.3
15
Ratings20
Average rating3.3
Wry, hilarious, and profoundly genuine, this debut collection of literary essays is a celebration of fallibility and haplessness in all their glory. From despoiling an exhibit at the Natural History Museum to provoking the ire of her first boss to siccing the cops on her mysterious neighbor, Crosley can do no right despite the best of intentions-or perhaps because of them. Together, these essays create a startlingly funny and revealing portrait of a complex and utterly recognizable character that's aiming for the stars but hits the ceiling, and the inimitable city that has helped shape who she is. I Was Told There'd Be Cake introduces a strikingly original voice, chronicling the struggles and unexpected beauty of modern urban life.
Reviews with the most likes.
Witty and hilarious. Reading some parts of this book was like someone had actually written down my thoughts, but obviously much smarter, snarkier and funnier. Even things that would seem completely implausible and far-fetched any other time, are realistic and inevitable when Crosley writes about them. You'll finish reading it thinking that you and Crosley should either be best friends or were perhaps separated at birth. Great stuff.
I didn't hate it like you would expect with a 1 star. I just didn't finish. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't great. There were some good insights and a funny moment or two. But all the moments between the good ones were just too much to listen to.
Overall I couldn't connect to her or her story. So I just didn't finish it.
The blurb on the cover claimed this was as funny as Sarah Vowell. I do not agree. I was hoping for Laurie Nataro-grade laugh-out-loud funny but I was just bored with this book. After reading about four essays, I put it down and just couldn't be inclined to pick it back up.
I'm a sucker for a good essay collection and this is my favourite of the year.
Crosley is self-deprecating and charming. She is not afraid to be her weird self in life and on the page. A fun read!
