The Fran Lebowitz Reader

Publisher's Summary

The Fran Lebowitz Reader brings together in one volume, with a new preface, two best sellers, Metropolitan Life and Social Studies, by an "important humorist in the classic tradition" (The New York Times Book Review) who is "the natural successor to Dorothy Parker" (British Vogue). In "elegant, finely honed prose" (The Washington Post Book World), Lebowitz limns the vicissitudes of contemporary urban life - its fads, trends, crazes, morals, and fashions. By turns ironic, facetious, deadpan, sarcastic, wry, wisecracking, and waggish, she is always wickedly entertaining.

©1994 Fran Lebowitz (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic Reviews

"Hilarious...an unlikely and perhaps alarming combination of Mary Hartman and Mary McCarthy.... To a dose of Huck Finn add some Lenny Bruce, Oscar Wilde, and Alexis de Tocqueville, a dash of cabdriver, an assortment of puns, minced jargon, and top it off with smarty pants." ( The New York Times on Metropolitan Life)

"Her humor made me laugh aloud and call friends to read passages to them." ( Newsweek on Metropolitan Life)

"Unique.... Lebowitz offers vocational guides for aspiring heiresses, popes, empresses; manuals for landlords; guidance to the rich who wish to meet the poor." ( Vogue on Social Studies)

Wonderful in her own voice.

My daughter read this and gave up less that half way through. I think you have to hear her deliver her own prose. She is a master. I adore her. I get her humor even though I'm not a New Yorker but I am an ex smoker. She makes me laugh out loud. She writes very well-although I understand she had a long period of writer's block. Until I read this I thought she was famous just for being all over the social pages of Vanity Fair. I hope she writes and narrates more for 'our listening pleasure'.

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

Disappointed

I've been a devoted fan and avid reader of Fran for years but honestly have no idea what this was supposed to be.

Absolutely Hysterical

Would you consider the audio edition of The Fran Lebowitz Reader to be better than the print version?

They're equal.

Any additional comments?

One of the most diverting and unbelievably witty collections of her best. Will be listening to it for a third time soon. Fran Lebowitz has a keen, satirical look on society that is universal. I sum it up with this. “Do not allow children to mix drinks. It is unseemly and they use too much vermouth.”

Excellent

Laughed out loud several times. Anyone who follows writers must hear Fran Lebowitz read this.

Her Writer's Voice Matches Her Speaking Voice

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Lebowitz's dry wit coupled with her dry delivery create an unforgettable entertainment experience. She's a joy to read; she's a joy to hear. She alone can breath the necessary rhythm into her words.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Fran Lebowitz Reader?

The entire listening experience is memorable.

Which character – as performed by Fran Lebowitz – was your favorite?

It's autobiographical.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

The voice New York in the 90s

This is wonderful collection of what amount to short quips and observations written in a highly entertaining way. However, even with Ms Lebowitz's rich voice it remains a work far better read on the printed page. After about the 30th short piece that familiar pattern -- which is amusing in the printed work -- begins to become a little annoying.

Still, these pieces are just so wonderful that they certainly surpass most offerings on Audible. In particular the piece on how to tell if your child is a writer is intensely funny.

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Laugh out loud funny

If you could sum up The Fran Lebowitz Reader in three words, what would they be?

Dry, Witty, Entertaining

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

It was a collection of short comic essays, so no ending

Which character – as performed by Fran Lebowitz – was your favorite?

Fran herself!

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

The book does not lend itself to being a movie

1 of 2 people found this review helpful

Outdated, but still worth a listen

Any additional comments?

If you're not familiar with the brilliant and funny Fran Lebowitz, this book is a good introduction. In the preface Fran acknowledges that many of her stories are outdated, which they are. The book was written several decades ago. Some stories have remained relevant, others have not. But the chapters are short so less interesting ones pass quickly. I wouldn't recommend that you drop everything and get this book, but I also don't regret having purchased it nor having spent the time to listen.

2 of 4 people found this review helpful

Boring

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

Someone that likes boring lists of unfunny things.

Would you ever listen to anything by Fran Lebowitz again?

No

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Fran Lebowitz?

No one

What character would you cut from The Fran Lebowitz Reader?

Fran

Any additional comments?

The only reason I gave this book one star was because I couldn't give it none.

0 of 9 people found this review helpful