“A remarkable journey. I laughed. I cried. I got another cat.” –Lily Tomlin “Paula Poundstone is the funniest human being I have ever known.” –Peter Sagal, host of Wait Wait . . . Don’t Tell Me! and author of The Book of Vice “Is there a secret to happiness?” asks comedian Paula Poundstone. “I don’t know how or why anyone would keep it a secret. It seems rather cruel, really . . . Where … seems rather cruel, really . . . Where could it be? Is it deceptively simple? Does it melt at a certain temperature? Can you buy it? Must you suffer for it before or after?” In her wildly and wisely observed book, the comedy legend takes on that most inalienable of rights–the pursuit of happiness.
Offering herself up as a human guinea pig in a series of thoroughly unscientific experiments, Poundstone tries out a different get-happy hypothesis in each chapter of her data-driven search. She gets in shape with taekwondo. She drives fast behind the wheel of a Lamborghini. She communes with nature while camping with her daughter, and commits to getting her house organized (twice!). Swing dancing? Meditation? Volunteering? Does any of it bring her happiness? You may be laughing too hard to care.
The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness is both a story of jumping into new experiences with both feet and a surprisingly poignant tale of a single working mother of three children (not to mention dozens of cats, a dog, a bearded dragon lizard, a lop-eared bunny, and one ant left from her ant farm) who is just trying to keep smiling while living a busy life.
The queen of the skepticism-fueled rant, Paula Poundstone stands alone in her talent for bursting bubbles and slaying sacred cows.
Like George Carlin, Steve Martin, and David Sedaris, she is a master of her craft, and her comedic brilliance is served up in abundance in this book. As author and humorist Roy Blount Jr. notes, “Paula Poundstone deserves to be happy. Nobody deserves to be this funny.”
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Goes on my keeper shelf (or, in this case, a permanent adornment inside my Kindle). Have loved Paula after listening to her routines over many years but this is the first thing of hers I’ve read. Charming and poignant on one level, this is a well-done piece of humor that runs the gamut from chuckle-y to over the top hysterical. At times, it was all I could do to refrain from rolling on the floor. Here’s hoping it doesn’t take another 7 years for her to produce a follow-up book to light up our world with her special brand of whimsy and hilarity. Two thumbs and two big toes up, Ms. Poundstone!
I have discovered the secret to happiness, and it’s listening to Paula Poundstone.
I enjoy a little comedic non-fiction mixed in with my TBR, and couldn’t wait to read this book when I first heard it announced. Instead, I waited for the audiobook so I could enjoy the experience of listening to the story read in Paula’s voice, which arguably makes the book even more enjoyable. There is nothing more delightful than hearing some valuable life lessons, sprinkled with Paula’s self-depreciated humor and expert use of the callback.
Let me begin by saying that I am a fan of Paula Poundstone, and I have been since she first appeared on the national stage as a stand-up artist. I suppose I expected her writing to be more of what I had heard her do on stage, or at least what she does on NPR. Unfortunately it wasn’t. I am glad I got this as a super bargain.
Ms. Poundstone’s book isn’t as funny as her performing persona, but I really enjoyed her quirky and appealing attempt to get a handle on life.
If one understands & likes Paula Poundstone, he/she will really enjoy this book. The woman is quick, funny, different and interesting. The way she goes about finding a certain type of happiness is great. A quick & worthwhile read.
It was a real surprise. I would start laughing and couldn’t seem to stop. My family would stare at me because I’d get loud. Highly recommend this book especially to mothers.
The book is a funny read that chronicles the real life of the writer.
Paula Poundstone never disappoints! This was a hilarious view of single parenthood, along with the universal quest for happiness. I got several “heps” of happiness just from reading it!
Anything Paula Poundstone writes or says is great with me!
I’ve been a fan for decades. I see her shows whenever she appears in the area–which, fortunately, is usually once or twice a year.
This book didn’t disappoint.
Claims to be funny. It’s Not.
Even though Paula is famous and I am a nobody, I could relate to the search for happiness, having way too many pets, and the seesaw ups and downs one experiences raising kids. This book is so creatively funny and down to earth. I really loved it and read it every time I walked my dogs, even though I often stepped in poop. Well done, Paula Poundstone!
Funny!