I Was Told There Would Be Cake ~Sloane Crosley
–published 2008
–Riverhead Books
–230 pages
Portland-bound Richard R., of The Broken Bullhorn, purchased this book recently on a trip to his new hometown and enjoyed it so much he read right through it. Having become a fan of the essay in recent years, thanks to authors like Anne Fadiman, Nick Hornby, and David Sedaris, my bookish ears perk right up when they hear mention of a page-turning essay collection. I quickly ordered it through my library and when it turned up in my local branch on Saturday, I dropped everything, picked it up, and didn’t put it down until I had finished it (Sunday evening).
Pressed for time? Go ahead and add this to your To Be Read list and proceed with your day. If you need a bit more convincing, or don’t have anything better to do, read on. I promise I’ll try to be entertaining.
I could not help but laugh at this back cover quote, as it is a perfect description of Sloane Crosley’s delightfully irreverent wit. I Was Told There Would Be Cake is a collection of 15 essays ranging from topics like death and plastic ponies to the most likely culprit of a mysterious turd with many an unexpected trip in between.
Of the four authors mentioned in this post, it would be easy to produce a laundry list of ways in which our lives and our experiences are wholly and completely different. And yet each author is able to combine their unique life experiences with their thoughts on a given subject–thoughts shaped by their upbringing, environments, education, beliefs, etc–to create a short piece of prose that speaks straight to the human condition. While I am far from being a young, single, Jewish, female New Yorker, I found myself drawn right into the genuine pathos in Sloane Crosley’s essays.
For example, Fuck You, Columbus–a great title with a double meaning–tells the story of an experience moving from one apartment to another that, while certainly different in the details than any previous moves I have made, is one we can all empathize with because we’ve been there. Anyone who has ever moved finds an instant kinship with Sloane Crosley as she recounts the details of a day that makes you cringe just reading about it.
When she recounts the hassles of her volunteer job at the Museum of Natural History, we can all relate. Volunteer work is just that, work. With the exception of those few who find daily joy in their work, who doesn’t want to grouse and complain and just go see a movie instead?
One of the most interesting stories, One-Night Bounce, looks at the one-night-stand from a viewpoint I certainly never considered, but one that had me thinking back to the way I looked at relationships as a child and how those things changed over time.
I know I’m doing a horrible job describing it, but trust me that this collection of essays is easy to pick up, hard to put down, and is an enjoyable experience from the first page to the last. Almost immediately after closing the book I got online and ordered her newest essay collection, How Did You Get This Number, from the library.
Sloane Crosley examines her life for the benefit of her readers with an easy, self-deprecating sense of humor and a conversational style that wraps its arms around you, pulling you closer. In reading about the joys and pains, the annoying, crazy, unexpected things and the sometimes mundane nature of existence, you cannot help but take a look at your own life and realize what a wild ride it can be.
Thank you Richard for the recommendation, Sloane Crosley has now joined my short list of favorite authors of the familiar essay.
For more information, check out the author’s website here: Sloane Crosley
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This book is a selection for:
The 2010 Reading Challenge in the Bad Blogger’s Category (blame placed firmly at the feet of Richard of Broken Bullhorn)
and
How come you don’t give your book reviews star ratings anymore?
Jim: I’m experimenting with not doing it in the reviews, though I am still giving star ratings in the 2010 Books Read tab. If you click there you’ll see I gave this a 4 out of 5 stars. The main reason is that almost every book I read is a 4 or above. It is rare that I rate anything less than a 4 because it is rare that I read a book from start to finish that is only average, or worse. I have the feeling that perhaps my “stars” lose their credibility because of that. But then again, maybe not. As I said, it is an experiment. I do like the fact that a person could just look and say, “Yep, Carl liked this book”, or in the case of 5 out of 5 star reviews, “Obviously Carl loved this book!”. I generally choose the right books at the right time and my experience with them is mostly positive.
Any opinions? Is it helpful, easier to see the stars rating right there with the book facts rather than just leaving you to get an idea of my feelings based on what I right? I don’t have any hard and fast opinion on this so I’m open to reader feedback.
All that being said, my next review will be of a book that pissed me off BIG TIME. One that I finished because I was way too far into it to chuck it out the window when the pissing off began, and one that I held out a (false) hope would redeem itself in the end. I just spent the last 30 minutes ranting to my wife about this book, that many others have liked, which annoyed me on so many levels.
Stay tuned.
It’s great, isn’t it? I bought it a while back but only ever read one at a time. It’s witty. I like poeple who do not take themselves too seriously. I didn’t realize she has another one published, so I can finally finish this one as there is another one to look forward to.
I am so glad you reminded me of this book! I sat down in the cafe of a bookstore one time and read the first essay in this book–the one about the plastic ponies. And I was immediately taken with Ms. Crosley and her writing. I wanted to buy the book so badly, but ended up being “good” and putting it back. I figured I would pick it up one day…but I’d honestly forgotten all about it. Perfect timing for a reminder, as today is library day. 🙂
Debi: Sucks to be “good”, doesn’t it? 😉 I hope you can track it down at the library and keep your good streak intact! The first essay really sets the tone for the whole book. As you enjoyed that one, I know you’ll enjoy the rest. Can’t wait to hear what you think.
Caroline: Yes it is. I would like to have been patient and slowly savored each essay, but I’m generally not that kind of reader. I hadn’t intended to be sucked in, but I was, and once I read the first I just had to keep reading. Your observation about her not taking herself too seriously is dead on. With only a few changes here and there these essays could have come off as snobbish or too serious, etc., but they don’t. She is very talented and has, I believe, a healthy awareness of herself.
I recently read (and reviewed) my first experience with essays, and who should I pick but the acclaimed David Foster Wallace. I loved his style and his quirkiness, and I never thought reading an essay would be fun, not to mention thought-provoking. Thanks for the review.
Have you ever read any DFW?
Well what a nice surprise to find myself in the Bad Blogger category today! Heh, heh, heh. As you said, I read this one straight through, just as you did, and really enjoyed it. Pathos and humor are melded in such a skillful way sometimes I missed one or the other of them until I thought back on the essay later. There’s a waiting list for the new one at my library, probably because they didn’t buy many, and I’m not sure I’ll get it before we make out move north. I’ll go ahead and give credit for learning about this one to George Kelley (georgekelley.org), who reviewed the newer book and mentioned this one. I love that about the blogosphere, we pass along the good stuff!
This sounds awesome!! I hadn’t heard of this before OR Sloane Crosley for that matter. Love a good essay collection and hadn’t read one in quite awhile though!
Chris: I know you like some of those same authors I mentioned, and Sarah Vowell who is also mentioned on the cover of this book, so I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading this one if you get a chance.
Richard: Yes indeed, you are now officially a bad influence. A disturber of my book peace. A rabble rouser. I love the same thing about the blogosphere. I think I’m number 22 on the library hold list and I’m not sure how many copies they are getting, so I may be waiting a while.
Logankstewart: I have not, but I’ll be checking out your review. The essay is something I hadn’t thought much about before a year ago when I started reading more and more collections of them and now I am nearly as fond of them as I am of short stories, which is saying a lot because I love the short story medium.
Love the title of this collection, and the essays mentioned. will have to see if the library has this little gem.
thanks for the recommend…
L: You are welcome, I hope your library system has it. And thanks for stopping by Richard’s site. Made me sad to read your comments though as it sounds like you miss the area.
yeah, we loved Portland.. hope to get there again sooner than later.. meanwhile, this first day of autumn here was reminiscent of a wet Portland day and was lovely afternoon, the screen door open, over-sized chair, a book in one hand and a hot cup of chai in the other
oh, and the Library has it (though all are checked out), will see when it comes in.
L: In any event I am glad your day reminded you of a place you love. Sounds like a great day. And great to hear that your library has this! Always nice to save money that way.
I was so glad to read your review of this book. I read it about two years ago, when a housemate lent it to me. I absolutely could not put it down, and sometimes it made me laugh so much I had to read paragraphs (or pages) to whichever of my housemates was in the room. This is one of those books you want to read again as soon as you’re finished with it, and you also kind of wish you’d written it yourself. I’ll have to pick up a copy of my own so I can re-read it!
Abby: This is one that would be fun to read aloud to people, I was thinking that as I read it.
This looks great, and I also love reading essays. I don’t think I’ve heard of the author before but I’ve listened to your suggestion and put it on my wishlist:)
Sakura: It was a new one for me too, and one I’m happy to have discovered.
“All that being said, my next review will be of a book that pissed me off BIG TIME. One that I finished because I was way too far into it to chuck it out the window when the pissing off began…”
I can’t wait! heehee! I must mention that it seems like every year I read at least one book for RIP that totally pisses me off. This year’s was gratifyingly short. That’s the ONLY thing that was good about it, besides the premise – which was NOT delivered by the content. Urg. Actually it was the author who pissed me off, because when I wrote a quick review about it at Goodreads, (and the issues I had with the plot,) he sent me email to correct my “inaccuracies,” and to tell me he did not agree with my review. WHO DOES THAT???!!!
Meh. Anyways, can’t wait for your next review – I’ll be sitting over here hitting “refresh.” 😉 I don’t recall you writing too many negative reviews; I think you’re like me, you generally try to enjoy what you read. I’ll admit for myself, it’s probably because I’m not a very critical reader, which is why I don’t do very many reviews. I much prefer to attempt to let the stories entertain me at whatever level they are written, and unfortunately when I read with an eye to review, I find myself picking apart the flaws and plot holes, which kind of ruins the experience.
Usually, for me to get to an unfavorable review, or my little used “pissed me off” category, the author has to practically kick me in the teeth with the problems in the story.
Stacey: I’ll probably work on it on Sunday and get it up then. I may or may not post another review before that one, but trust me, you’ll know when the Pissed Off review is up, it should be obvious right from the start. And you are correct, I don’t write many negative reviews. Mostly because I don’t read bad books. I have a wide spectrum of the type of books I like, some are very plot and character thin and just strike me in a way that I connect with them and others are shout-it-from-the-rooftops, award-worthy. And if I am not liking a book, I put it down and generally no one ever hears about it. I am not one to slog through a book I’m not enjoying just for the sake of giving it a ‘critical’ review. If someone was paying me for it, sure, but otherwise it isn’t happening. Reading is first and foremost about entertainment for me and that will not change. Nice whenever I meet a kindred spirit in that regard. Honestly, I never read with an eye to review, I just read. I enjoy doing reviews most of the time which is why I do them, but I don’t want to ruin the experience for myself either which is why I will never be a true critic.
I can’t believe an author did that to you. That is someone being way too sensitive and is the kind of Author 101 thing that shouldn’t be done.
Heh, I am always amused when this author pops up – I went to college with her!
Jenn: Is that ‘amused’ in a good way, or a bad way?
I took this book on my honeymoon two years ago, and spent many a lovely hour in the hot tub on the porch of our cabin, with rain pounding on the tin roof, absolutely devouring these essays. I know, I know…not “normal” honeymoon type activity – but I found it to be perfection:) Thanks for sharing the wonderfulness of Sloane Crosley- I hope she gets some new readers through your tribute. And…also, I would highly recommend any of Meghan Daum’s fiction or nonfiction works as well, if you have not already read her works.
Jessica: Hey, what book lover doesn’t read on their honeymoon? I devoured Charles Pallisar’s book, Quincunx, on my honeymoon, loved it, and enjoyed the “normal” honeymoon activities as well. I haven’t read Duam’s work, and in fact hadn’t heard of her before reading her excellent quote on the back of this book. I too hope others discover Ms. Crosley’s work. I know I’m looking forward to her newest.