Cynthia Heimel (1947–2018)

This collection of columns is at once funny, exasperating, and disheartening. I found it difficult to read large amounts in a single sitting; the rage against society expressed in some of the essays was simply exhausting. I also am not nearly as enamoured of the Baby Boomers as the author, nor do I believe that any one political party is the cause of or answer to all of my problems. But there is more than enough humor and wisdom in these pages to quiet my complaints. I'm not sure I'll go out show more of my way to seek out any more books by Heimel, but I enjoyed this one. show less

I'm always a bit hesitant to give a chance to those collections of essays by feminist urban singles. Heimel certainly falls into this category, but I suppose she's a fairer example of it than most.

I'm inclined to say she's better than Candace Bushnell but worse than Dorothy Parker, but I can't in good conscience, seeing as I haven't actually read either of these authors (Parker's on the shelf, though). However, that kind of comparison seems to fit Heimel.

I did find a couple of the essays show more (which originally appeared in such periodicals as Playboy and the Village Voice) humorous. I loved the article blaming It's a Wonderful Life for the high suicide rate during the holiday season. I also thought her two companion pieces documenting the differing reactions of a group of men vs. a group of women to an all day porn marathon were enlightening. But overall I couldn't really relate to Heimel or find her that funny.

I was surprised to find so many pieces about being a single mother with a teenage son.

Basically I find it hard to respect an author who writes a heavy handed article blaming Marilyn Monroe for male chauvinism (seems to me like the "she was asking for it" argument I've heard too many times) and then follows it up with an in depth look at how PMS causes bad wardrobe decisions.

The rest of the pieces are standard relationship fare or are along the lines of "why are all the uncool people wearing black nowadays?" type of thinking. It's an easy read in that it doesn't require a large attention span, but I think it could have been smarter.

Pick up Fran Lebowitz instead. show less

Collection of Essays by Cynthia Heimel.
Not as funny as 'Get Your Tongue Out of My Mouth I'm kissing you Goodbye", but still great bite-ing and unashamedly feminist wit

I love this so much. A bit dated but makes you wonder how dated we'll be in 27 years!