Half Empty

Essays

By: David Rakoff

Narrated by: David Rakoff

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

The inimitably witty David Rakoff, New York Times best-selling author of Don’t Get Too Comfortable, defends the commonsensical notion that you should always assume the worst, because you’ll never be disappointed.

In this deeply funny (and, no kidding, wise and poignant) audiobook, Rakoff examines the realities of our sunny, gosh­ everyone-can-be-a-star contemporary culture and finds that, pretty much as a universal rule, the best is not yet to come, adversity will triumph, justice will not be served, and your dreams won’t come true.

The audiobook ranges from the personal to the universal, combining stories from Rakoff’s reporting and accounts of his own experi­ences: The moment when being a tiny child no longer meant adults found him charming but instead meant other children found him a fun target; the perfect late evening in Manhattan when he was young and the city seemed to brim with such pos­sibility that the street shimmered in the moonlight - as he drew closer he realized the streets actually flickered with rats in a feeding frenzy. He also weaves in his usual brand Oscar Wilde - worthy cultural criticism (the tragedy of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, for instance).

Whether he’s lacerating the musical Rent for its cutesy depic­tion of AIDS or dealing with personal tragedy, his sharp obser­vations and humorist’s flair for the absurd will have you positively reveling in the power of negativity.

©2010 David Rakoff (P)2010 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A collection of humorous—albeit pessimistic—essays on humankind’s incalculable foibles......Throughout the book, the author hones in on this disconnect, debunking the myth of the power of positive thinking while arguing that 'the bleak' (not the meek) will most likely inherit the earth." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"Maintaining his signature and singular charm, Rakoff analyzes the heck out of common (and not-so-common) place culture....a writerly collection to make giddy even the most erudite lover of words." ( Booklist)

“Rakoff’s strength is the turn of phrase that deftly and wittily dissects its subject at a stroke.” ( Chicago Tribune)

David Rakoff is a Genuis

Would you listen to Half Empty again? Why?

Probably--it's a wittier version of Augustine Burroughs with no smut. But I like Burroughs--this is even better.

Who was your favorite character and why?

David.

What does David Rakoff bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A wonderful inflection of voice.

One of the finest from a great humorist.

Where does Half Empty rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This one ranks in my top 5.

What did you like best about this story?

David Rakoff is able to deliver a lighthearted take on his, seemimgly, innermost thoughts.

Any additional comments?

We lost Mr. Rakoff last month. While I never met him, through his books, I feel like I knew him and I will miss him and his works.

Incredibly, beautifully written

This book is one that I come back to time and time again. It speaks to me in so many ways. I find myself, delighted, blurting out things like, "yes!" and "true!"... David Rakoff touches on all of these beautiful, mundane, commiserable things we find ourselves absentmindedly pondering as we "get on with our lives". Truly a treasure, both book and author.

Stunning, gorgeous, heartbreaking

It’s disorienting to discover and fall in love with a contemporary artist only after he’s died. The wonderful new friend you’ve matched hearts and minds with turns out to be a ghost. His glorious, meticulously crafted sentences and hilarious, heartbreaking, dead-on images pierce me all the more deeply because I can’t thank him, even through a review like this. What a loss to the world.

I wanted to like this more.

I struggled too much to understand what we he was saying. He also just complained too much for me. Good writer, though.

A Good Friend I Never Met

Any additional comments?

When I heard of David's passing, it was a like a very close friend of mine had died. I never met him, but I knew him so well through his books. His essays take you along on the journey of his life with all its laughter, tears and ironies. Reading his own words, he takes you inside his head, and in this book, through his struggle with cancer that took his life. Don't be afraid to make David your friend, to laugh and cry with him as he exposes the absurdities of our culture with wit and insight. Read his works and he will always be with you.

Listen if you're into Rackoff/but not the first

Would you try another book from David Rakoff and/or David Rakoff?

Read/listen to Fraud and Don't get too comfortable first.There is some very funny/interesting stuff here. But do not recommend it as first experience of Rackoff. Once you're hooked, get this.

What about David Rakoff’s performance did you like?

I wouldn't have anybody but Rackoff himself read his work. An essential part of the experience.

Could you see Half Empty being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Sure. American Splendor-ish.

If you enjoy phrases like “cloacal scouring” you’ll love this

A brilliant, discerning, self-aware mind with the most resonant musings for the cynics among us. Gone far too soon.

Excellent-the brilliant David Rakoff

David Rakoff was quite brilliant-this group of essays ends with the very personal essay about his experience with cancer in which he is brave and human, and ever witty in his sometimes dark humor.

David Sedaris just does this sort of thing better

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Depressed New Yorkers

Has Half Empty turned you off from other books in this genre?

I still enjoy the essay format, but looking for a more distinct voice.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of David Rakoff?

I think he read his work perfectly, and that was sadly part of the problem.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Half Empty?

I'm afraid none of the book stuck with me.

Any additional comments?

I wanted to enjoy the book because I saw a great review of some of his other work on the Daily Show, unfortunately it simply didn't work for me. Perhaps other titles or other readers will be better.