The woman who brought us When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, You've Got Mail, and Bewitched, and the author of best sellers Heartburn, Scribble Scribble, and Crazy Salad, discusses everything, from how much she hates her purse to how much time she spends attempting to stop the clock: the hair dye, the treadmill, the lotions and creams that promise to slow the aging process but never do. Oh, and she can't stand the way her neck looks. But her dermatologist tells her there's no quick fix for that.
Ephron chronicles her life as an obsessed cook, passionate city dweller, and hapless parent. She recounts her anything-but-glamorous days as a White House intern during the JFK years and shares how she fell in and out of love with Bill Clinton...from a distance, of course. But mostly she speaks frankly and uproariously about life as a woman of a certain age.
Utterly courageous, wickedly funny, and unexpectedly moving in its truth telling, I Feel Bad About My Neck is a book of wisdom, advice, and laugh-out-loud moments, a scrumptious, irresistible treat.
©2006 Nora Ephron; (P)2006 Random House, Inc.
"Ephron returns to her print roots with a new collection of essays reflecting the perspective of an aging, but still crackling sharp, cultural scribe." (Boston Globe)
"This current gatherum of hard and funny truths spares neither the author's pride nor her audience's, but it does salve wounds, and many of Ephron's insights are bound to come in handy." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Ephron's insights make the book an enjoyable romp....For people who want a little candor and humor about not only hanging on but getting on, this book is for you." (The New York Post)
"Don't make me get out of the car..."
...I'm still listening to "I Feel Bad About My Neck."
It took me a little while to get used to Nora Ephron's narration of her own work. Her reading style reminds me of a kindergarten teacher who reads slowly, pronouncing each word carefully, to help her students learn to read. Not quite how I imagine her voice in my head when I read her work. Her voice trails off at the ends of some sentences, and I had to reel back and turn up the volume to catch some key phrases.
But once I got past that, the book itself was wonderful -- alternately hillarious and touching. I listened on my commute, and I was sorely tempted sometimes to just keep driving so that I could hear more about Ms. Ephron's views of growing past that "certain age" in America -- more about hair dyes and nail jobs, more about face creams that promise everything and deliver a big hole in your wallet, more about beige couches and cooking, more about Bill Clinton, Ms. Ephron's confessions about JFK, and a final essay on the one inevitability in life.
With some audiobooks, I get in the car and think, "Oh, yeah, I guess I should listen some more." With this one, it was, "Oh, hey, gotta get in the car and listen to that Nora Ephron book again!"
"not for the under 60"
I bought this book because it looked so funny. I know at 42, I DO feel bad about my neck!! But this book should come with the caviat that it's really geared towards the 60 age bracket. Empty nests, the difficulty of riding a bicycle, etc are just not as funny if you haven't experienced them. Overall it was a very cute, upbeat book, and an easy listen. I would recommend it, but warn it's more of a chuckle than a belly laugh for the under 60 group.
"not only for older women!"
This is hysterical...in that typical Ephron witty way...the delivery is perfect.I would love to listen to this with friends...it really makes you laugh out loud at our human foibles and, sooner or later, she'll cover one that you share too.
"hysterical"
I am in my 50's and found this book to be totally entertaining! Loved it...so true!
"Made me smile"
this was a very entertaining piece: well written and well read. Some stories made me laugh while others made me think; most made me nod knowingly and smile. Very much worth the listening.
"That Voice!"
Sometimes the term "Narrated by the Author" is a good thing - think Bill Bryson, for instance. Unfortunately, Nora Ephron is no Bill Bryson. Her narration of this funny, smart book about life as an urban woman "of a certain age" is so grating that it is difficult to listen to for any significant length of time. Although Ms. Ephron's voice is high-pitched and whiny, I could have lived with that. Far more annoying is her sing-song cadence, and overly dramatic inflection. This is probably the only Audio Book I have ever heard that made me wish I had chosen the print version instead.
"For an older woman."
Nora Ephron's wit and snarky humor.
This was the first Nora Ephron book for me. It was a gift. While I did enjoy the book, I know I was not target audience. Young women will still find it funny, but women 40+ will really enjoy it.
I like that she has a very unique voice, but that it isn't grating or difficult to listen to. I felt like she was sittingin my car with me, telling me all these great stories from her life.
Getting older doesn't get easier, but it does get funnier.
"Wish you were here, Nora"
Toward the top
It was her life's story
Nora talking to the famous chefs as she cooked their recipies
no
As others have said, this is best enjoyed by someone who is at least 50. Her voice delivery is a little flat, but who can complain about that? It's HER story in HER voice! Worth my time to listen - I miss you, Nora!
"Her diary...."
This book seemed to be more of the musing of her mind and life. It seemed to come from her journal. I liked it because she is such an interesting woman. Love the 92nd St. interview with NEphron+Arrianna Huffington. That was great. I love NEphron movies. This is another aspect of her. Not so funny. Not always so charming. Interesting.
I enjoy Scandinavian mystery and crime authors like Asa Larsson, Helene Tursten, Jo Nesbo, Karin Fossum and Amaaldur Indridason just to name a few.
"The best"
If you are a Nora Ephron fan, this is a classic. I will forever miss her wonderful good nature. She has made getting older with a certain style. I will listen to this many more times.