Bright Lights, Big Ass

A Self-Indulgent, Surly, Ex-Sorority Girl's Guide to Why it Often Sucks in the City, or Who are These Idiots and Why Do They All Live Next Door to Me?

By: Jen Lancaster

Narrated by: Jamie Heinlein

Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

Jen Lancaster hates to burst your happy little bubble, but life in the big city isn't all it's cracked up to be. Contrary to what you see on TV and in the movies, most urbanites aren't party-hopping in slinky dresses and strappy stilettos. But lucky for us, Lancaster knows how to make the life of the lower crust mercilessly funny and infinitely entertaining.

Whether she's reporting rude neighbors to Homeland Security, harboring a crush on her grocery store clerk, or fighting-and losing-the Battle of the Stairmaster- Lancaster explores how silly, strange, and not-so-fabulous real city living can be. And if anyone doesn't like it, they can kiss her big, fat, pink, puffy down parka.

©2007 Jen Lancaster (P)2009 Penguin

I did not find Jen Lancaster relatable

What was most disappointing about Jen Lancaster’s story?

I did not find Jen Lancaster relatable. The book description says Jen Lancaster is surly and self-indulgent, but I expected her to be funny and to find a kernel of truth below the surface.. I did not find any humor or truth. I wanted to see a strong woman behind the negative commentary but all I saw was a spoiled, lazy brat.

Hilarious!!!

If you need a break from your reality, try Jen’s. I laughed the entire way through this book.

Ya love her or ya hate her - or both

Would you try another book from Jen Lancaster and/or Jamie Heinlein?

I have tried most of them. Amusingly bitchy, but after several hours and several books - shut up already!

Would you recommend Bright Lights, Big Ass to your friends? Why or why not?

Actually, I have. She's funny. She's politically incorrect. She's the hilarious bitchy gal pal who says what no one else will. And she's as brutally harsh on herself as on all the other annoying people in her/our universe.

Which character – as performed by Jamie Heinlein – was your favorite?

Well, Jen - the center of her/the book's universe. But she does paint a 3-dimensional portrait of her husband and their relationship, and Heinlein did him justice.

Was Bright Lights, Big Ass worth the listening time?

Yes. Especially if I hadn't been on a "Jen binge." I say partake of her every now & then, like a hot fudge sundae. Not a crash hot-fudge sundae diet, as I did.

Any additional comments?

She's your funny, acerbic friend who is sooo articulate about all the things that piss her (and many of us) off - including her own behavior. But at some point... Okay, I get it. Stop bitching already!

Charming and funny

I really enjoyed this book, it always gave you a laugh and kept you coming back for more. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys pretty clean and funny situation comedy.

Oh Jen Lancaster...how I love thee

I am a HUGE Jen Lancaster fan so her books are pretty much a no brainer as far as listening goes. She is wry, hilarious and a little bit mean. I heart her!

Entertaining

Where does Bright Lights, Big Ass rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Probably near the bottom

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Can't remember.

Which character – as performed by Jamie Heinlein – was your favorite?

The main one.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Can't think of one.

Any additional comments?

Entertaining, but not as funny as I expected it to be. More expletives than I expected also.

This is so my life!!!

I swear some of the topics in her wonderful witty babbling remind me of my life.

Funny, but no real story line.

Would you try another book from Jen Lancaster and/or Jamie Heinlein?

Not sure. I really liked the humor and the writing style, but it really lacked a followable story line.

What do you think your next listen will be?

50 Shades of Grey... had to see what all the fuss was about. I am about 1/4 in and I like it so far, but I haven't gotten to the dirty parts yet.

Which scene was your favorite?

I really like the part where she went on about her husband watching Rachel Ray on the Food Network, I found it very relate-able.

Was Bright Lights, Big Ass worth the listening time?

Meh... I liked it for the time I was listening. I listened to this while rebuilding a computer at work. So, it was good in that it was mostly a collection of cute anecdotes which didn't require a lot of attention. I would not have done well in this situation to try to follow a George R. Martin book.

Any additional comments?

If you are looking for some short cute anecdotes, then go for it. It has a Shopaholic feel to it without the supporting story line. If you are from Chicago then you may get some added local flavor that might be enjoyable.

Never disappoints, love her honesty!

Jenn`s story telling in her world &
honestly about herself, just makes me laugh 💞

Politics turned me off this one

What disappointed you about Bright Lights, Big Ass?

The author mentioned political views that frankly, repulse me. She was also very whiny. I did not like her from what she spoke about in this book.

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something about zombies.

What character would you cut from Bright Lights, Big Ass?

The author - she was annoying