Yes Man

I'm not a fan of the nonfiction genre because the truth can be stranger than fiction - it's not just a cliche, you know - and I'm always left wondering whether or not the author has taken some poetic liberties with his own life. But after reading some YA horror, a translation and a collection of short stories left me feeling I'd been cheated of great literature (thank you for that, Tumblr, by the way), I decided it might be time that I read a memoir of a Yes Man. And I'm glad I did.

This book is full of your feel good moments - falling in love, growing up, having adventures, larger than life characters (hypnodog!), letting go - to spiritual aspects and a few moments of depression. It's real. It's a real book - and no, I'm not accusing show more anyone of saying it doesn't exist - but it's a book that you can read to feel better about the world, feel better about yourself, allow yourself to make mistakes and take risks even when you normally wouldn't.

That being said, it's probably the only memoir I've ever read. Don't get me wrong, I've read several biographies and autobiographies, but never a book about a certain time the author's life. I've tried in the past - Cherry by Mary Karr comes to mind, Smashed is another one and then there's Prozac Nation- but I never got pasted the first few pages, or chapters. But Yes Man was different. How could I possibly say no to a book about saying yes?

I couldn't, and there was never a time I wanted to put it down - even when I should have been working, I was reading Danny Wallace's words, laughing with him and feeling sad when things were going differently than expected. In many ways, the book inspired me to say yes a little bit more. Even to things that I would normally find tedious or annoying - let me give it a try again. While reading, I even took down a couple of notes about references he'd make - I went as far as buying an Ian Rankin book just because he mentioned the author's name.

Maybe this book can change my life around. Or maybe my cynicism is just too strong to be pushed under the mat. Either way, I've never thought about it until I read the book. And that says something, doesn't it? show less

The first thing to say is that I'm someone with a relatively hypoplastic sense of humor. Very little makes me laugh out loud, and I usually find the idea of comedy kind of intimidating, because I never know if I'm finding it as funny enough. But even for someone as humor-stunted as myself, Yes Man is quite funny. Ever wonder what would happen if you said yes to the random pan-handlers, and spam e-mailers and signature-collectors and advertisements and dozens of other offers we're bombarded by? The idea is so simple, and Wallace has a beautifully dry sense of humor.

The other promise -- that I would find Yes Man insightful or thought-provoking -- didn't pan out, though. As a woman trying to make my academic career work I get the opposite show more advice, all the time: "Learn to say no." And Wallace did nothing to convince me that I shouldn't be working harder on not stretching myself too thin. Would it be fun to spontaneously go to Singapore? Yes. Can most people handle the major work, family and financial consequences to more spontaneity? Probably not. I had a lot of second-hand anxiety about Danny's financial straits when reading...maybe for independently wealthy mid-twenty somethings emulating this experiment is possible, but for the rest of us, taking out and using dozens of credit cards is more nightmarish than a life lesson.

Finally, the first half had an affected naivete that was neither interesting, nor convincing. We all know Nigerian princes offering millions of dollars is a scam. Say "yes" if you feel you have to, but it's tedious when you pretend to believe that there is anything real to the situation.

Overall, I found the book light and fun, but I was happy it was him and not me. show less

I adored this book! I'm inclined to head over to London and make a marriage proposal to Danny Wallace (ignoring the fact that I'm married and about twice his age...). He is just so funny and optimistic and open to adventure. I laughed so much and so loudly while reading this book that my kids asked me to move to another room so as not to bother their TV viewing.

It's inspiring to think about having the energy and enthusiasm to say yes to everything, although a little intimidating, not only because of risks but because of the huge financial commitments one would make. But it makes wonderful reading and does encourage me to embrace life a little more.

One of my very favorite parts was when Danny took his friend Wag out for a night on the show more town and ended up losing his own glasses, which led to his getting a mullet haircut, and later finding out that Wag thought Danny had a crush on him. See, that doesn't sound remotely funny when I write it, but I was crying from laughing so hard when I read his account.

I highly recommend this book! I enjoyed Wallace's Join Me, but found this one to be even better. show less

Yes Man by Danny Wallace
388 pages

★★★★

Did you see the film, Yes Man, with Jim Carrey? Well this book is what the film is loosely based off…and I do mean loosely. And while I enjoy the film, if I had choose, of course the book would win hands down. In both the film and the book, the main man says yes to everything in an ability to see life in a different way…and that’s where the similarities end.

In the book Danny Wallace finds himself in quite the slump in life when a stranger says something that will change his life forever…”Say yes more often”. And boy does he take it to heart. He starts saying yes to EVERYTHING – sometimes with great results and other times it kicks him right in the butt. But its’ a risk he show more takes and one yes always leads him somewhere else where another yes is said. Countries are visited, friends are found, memories are made. The author is incredibly sarcastic, in that dry British way I love so much. He can be incredibly funny but also insightful. This book was exactly what I needed. It was uplifting (mostly), humorous at just the right places, and more inspiring than I thought it would be. I am glad I picked up this book at a used bookstore – it was a “yes” I’m pleased I took. show less

So here's my public service announcement. If you're thinking of getting into drugs, and you want help, I have two photographs in particular I can show you. One is of me in downtown Amsterdam pointing at a bus that I'm sure has big, pretty eyes. And the other is of me lying on my back in the middle of the road with my arms outstretched, as I tried to tickle the moon.

Danny Wallace's life has gone into a slump since splitting up with his girlfriend Hanne, when she got fed up with his 'stupid boy projects'. He has been sitting at home eating pizza and watching 'Neighbours' for the past few months, and has got into the habit of saying no whenever his friends ask him to do anything. So when a stranger on the bus tells him to 'say yes more show more often' it comes as a revelation and Danny decides to see what will happen if he says 'yes' to everything, much to his friend Ian's consternation.

It improves as it goes on, especially once Danny's computer has been set up with a spam filter, since his faux naive response to the spam he was getting was irritatingly unbelievable. Enjoyable, but not nearly as good as "Join Me". My favourite bits were about the possible identity of the man on the bus. show less

Yes, yes, I know this book has been made into a movie starring Jim Carrey, which may entirely taint my view of the work when I go see it. That being said, this was a delightfully engaging work built on a simple premise: "Say Yes More". That's it, that's all. Now, to be sure, saying 'yes' indiscriminately can get a person into trouble, and will at the very least cost a lot of money in handouts to persistent panhandlers. But it can also result in surprising opportunities that would never have occurred without the miracle of 'yes'. I love the philosophy, and can say that saying yes more can lead to some interesting places. Well written and frankly delightful.

This is by far Danny Wallace's funniest book. I had to stop reading it outside the house because it had me in fits of hysterics too often.

Read it. Lend it to your friends. Laugh, gasp, and 'Ahhh' together. It's really very, very good.