Patricia Marx

In their second join effort, these two droll comic writers lay down advice, via words and illustrations, for the benefit of those pairs who long to minimally tolerate each other (a hilariously common goal of long-time couples). Familiar frustrations comes charging through on each page, baring the day-to-day tension of pretending your other half doesn't annoy the living crap out of you, as you remain completely oblivious to your own shortcomings. Cartoons on the minefields of breathing, show more chewing, repetitious story-telling, arguing, and on the perils of sharing dreams are all amusingly depicted. It's a fabulous humor weapon to store in your toolbox of anger diffusion.

Quote: "If either of you has a chance with Michelle Obama, go for it." show less

This hilarious little volume is quoted and drawn by two of the funniest women of our time. Marx writes snarky, laugh-out-loud pieces for the New Yorker, and Chast's genius cartoons in the same venue, as well as her own collections, make for a brilliant comedic act. In fact, two of Chast's earlier works have reflected the vagaries of her own mother. Each page is a gem of dis-wisdom from Momma Marx, including this gem: "Never wear black and red together or you will look like a drum majorette." show more You can read it in fifteen minutes, and go back and reread and laugh forever. Get your scanner warmed up, you'll be sharing pages with everyone. show less

This book was great!! Such a laugh. The protagonist relates the ups and downs of her relationship with Eugene, a pompous jerk she meets while pursuing a graduate degree in England. Marx makes her character self-deprecating and painfully honest—she discusses the awkward encounters and discomfiting rendezvous with Eugene and his other lovers free from pretense or any attempt to make herself look dignified. This book is a quick, easy read, yet it has a shrewd take on men like Eugene and the show more women who can’t help but be duped by them, again and again! show less

Okay - once again I realize that these "hilarious" books about relationships are just not my cup of tea. While I found an occasional phrase mildly amusing, I feel like the overall story tries too hard to be amusing. I guess I don't like reading page after page of "oh woe is me", "love me or love me not", nonsense.

This woman spends years and years of her life pining after a guy who clearly doesn't love her and yet she remains at his beck and call over and over (even after he's married show more someone else). She doesn't get a job, lives with her parents, bemoans her life, and can't get over this obnoxious man. I didn't like her or him or the story!

Read for "title w/ antonyms" for the 2015 challenge. Not recommended unless you want to wallow in someone's story who has a worse life than you! show less