Babyhood

As a parent, I found that the experiences Reiser uses in his book would have one of two reactions - either 'Nah, doesn't sound much like us at all' or 'That is SOOO like it really is'. I think every parent would have the same experience like this book - our little people are individuals, and while some things that happen in one family may be the same for you, other times, it is as though they are on another planet.
This is quite a funny book. However, I often found Reiser's style either twee and/or contrived. This could be the case, or it could be that after years of 'Mad About You' and other comedy that tried to copy it, what was fresh when it was first written has now passed its use by date. But it is well written enough that it can show more often overcome these things. show less

Babyhood is the follow up book to Couplehood by Mad About You actor/comedian Paul Reiser.

It's a mixture of autobiography, humourous observations, 1990s comedy & practical advice.

Whilst it's certainly not a boring way to pass time I'm not sure I would actually say it's worthwhile to read if you have something else to read. It wouldn't be my choice as a funny parenting book nor a general humour book; some of the observational humour is now dated and no longer relevant.

Overall, it seems like a jump-on-the-1990s-comedy-best-selling-bandwagon than a book which stands out on it's own as interesting & entertaining in its own right.

I read this about 10 years ago because someone had left it laying around at work and I can't stand to see a book go to waste by not being read. It was interesting information from a parents perspective, however I probably did not get all I should have out of the book being that I was about 17 when I read it.

Innocuous humor. You can do better than read worn-out stand-up routines. If you're going that route, at least read the stale comedic stylings of this century's comics.

I read this either when I was pregnant, or when my son was small. Don't remember much about it; it's a collection of Reiser's memories and anecdotes about his own experience as a parent.

I love all of his books. He's such a wonderful, funny, quirky writer.

family, humor, parenthood, marriage