Review: Everything Is Going To Be Great by Rachel Shukert
by Jenners • 10/09/2010 • 4 Stars, E Titles, Memoir, S Authors • 44 Comments
1 book I read―Everything Is Going To Be Great: An Underfunded and Overexposed European Grand Tour by Rachel Shukert
2 words that describe the book―Sex Memoir (NOT so much a travel memoir as you might think)
- Setting: Primarily Vienna and Amsterdam, Modern Day
- Rachel Shukert is a Jewish girl from Omaha who moves to New York City to make it as an actress. She is broke and barely getting by when she finally gets her “big break”—working for a temperamental director in an off-Broadway play that eventually has a European run in Vienna. After the play closes, Rachel decides to stay with friends in Amsterdam. After all, why not be broke and miserable in Europe instead New York?
- During Rachel’s adventures, we get to meet a colorful cast of characters, including: Berthold (“an Austrian photographer old enough to be my father”); Mattijs and Jeroen (a gay couple who allow Rachel to live in their tiny apartment in Amsterdam); Marco, Ivan and Enzo (Italians—one of whom is an amateur dentist and two of whom are sex-crazed possible sex traffickers); Pete (Rachel’s lover and possible boyfriend except for the little business of him having a girlfriend and possibly being a psycho); and Ben (potential husband material).
4 things I liked or disliked about the book
- This book is f#*@ing hilarious! BUT if you blanched when you saw the F word (even typed with nonsense characters), this book isn’t for you. It is raunchy, dirty, irreverent, bawdy and wonderfully scatological. In other words, not for everyone. But if this kind of stuff doesn’t bother you, you’ll be spitting drinks out your nose from laughing and saying “OH NO SHE DIDN’T” as you read along.
- At first glance, the book might seem like it is a travel memoir. Let me tell you, it is not. Sure, Rachel provides valuable information for travelers, including such gems as “The Swiss: Europe’s Perverts,” “Are You About to Be Sex-Trafficked?,” “Where The F*#K Am I? A Guide to Dutch Street Names,” as well as practical information on finding a dentist in Amsterdam with no health insurance or money. But, for the most part, this is a personal memoir that gets down and dirty about the realities of a single woman who isn’t afraid to take chances on casual sex.
- I enjoyed how Rachel wrote about whatever struck her fancy—from imagining imaginary Amsterdam-set sitcoms to examining the peculiar relationships between Phil Collins and the Dutch. From the very start of the book, which includes a helpful guide about How To Use This Book (as a trivet, as substitute coasters, as Kleenex, as toilet paper, as sanitary napkins) and a guide for Assembling A Rachel Shukert Costume, you know you’re not reading a conventional memoir that plays by the rules. The book is part comedic essay, part travel narrative, and part sex memoir—all rolled around in nice helping of curse words and irreverence.
- I really wanted to know who the big-time director was! I disliked that Rachel kept that information from me after being more than open about everything else. (But I suppose if I were more in the know about theater, I could have figured it out. Plus I suppose she has to watch out for potential lawsuits.)
5 stars or less for my rating:
I’m giving the book 4 stars. I thought it was a funny, fast read that had a generous ratio of laughs per page. However, if you’re easily shocked or not comfortable with bawdy, raunchy, irreverence and a generous helping of four-letter words, this book might not be the best choice for you. If, however, you have low standards like me, check it out … it was one of the more original and amusing memoirs I’ve read.
The Whys and Wheres: This was the book that I sneakily downloaded to my Kindle one day and then got caught by Mr. Jenners. Was it worth it? Yes it was!
I know I’m going to love this one. And I don’t mind reviewing it either!! Hope you don’t mind that I added this review to my Harper Perennial database.
It was a really fun book. And thanks for adding to to your database. I would have done it if I ever remember stuff like that!
oh this sounds like too much fun! and in amsterdam can’t you do just about everything under the sun?
It is a fun book. And she does pretty much try to do everything under the sun!
I’ve never read a sex memoir. I’m not even sure I knew they existed. Oh, what a sheltered life I lead. I might have to take a look at this one just for curiousity’s sake.
Well, it is MORE than just her sex stuff … but there is a lot of sex stuff in there. I found her very open in a way you don’t often see in female writers. I imagine that Chelsea Handler’s books might be similar.
I’m still not sure if I’ll like this one or not. I’m not easily offended, but I’m not sure the idea of a sex memoir appeals to me. I’m definitely going to give it a try and see though!
It is worth trying. There is a lot more than just the sex stuff … but there is a lot of sex stuff too. It really was a funny book but not for those who are easily offended!
You had me at sex memoir
I can always use a couple of laughs (especially these days after job hunting
I’m going to look this one up!
Hey — I’m joining you in the job hunting. Not easy AT ALL!
Sounds hilarious!
Thanks for the hilarious review – I’ve got this one at home and you’ve convinced me to bump it up to my next read!
I hope you like it as much as I did!
Sounds a bit like Sedaris in style. I may have to try this one.
I’m a big Sedaris fan too … I bet you would like it. She is bawdier and more outrageous than Mr. Sedaris but they both have an interesting view of the world that makes it worth reading.
Out of all the reviews I’ve read for this book yours is the only one that mentioned the raunchiness. When you clued me into that the other day, I pushed it up in my TBR pile. I guess you could say that I am curious.
Really? I’m so surprised because I found it pretty raunchy (maybe I’m uptight). I’ll be curious to see what you think of it!
I think this sounds like a really fun book, and since I am not really an uptight reader, I am also going to stealthily download this one. Great review!
It is a good one to stealthily read too (‘cuz of all the raunchy stuff too). Hope you enjoy it!
first, i LOVE the new layout and header! i’ve been toying with the idea of a complete blog overhaul for a few weeks now–i have nothing else going on…hahahhaha. i want something less static–maybe with flash on the front page and more organization.
as for this book–sounds right up my alley. humor memoirs are top of my list. thanks for the tip.
I actually have to thank you for the blog design .. I liked yours so much that I followed it over to PageLines and found this one! So thanks!
And if you like humor memoirs, you’ll LOVE this one!
Can I admit that I might like to read it for the fun and laughs, but don’t know if I’d be bold enough to review it? Ah, the tug between the ‘good girl’ and the ‘bad girl!’
Hmmm…makes me wonder what else you might be reading and not telling us about! ; )
no not a book for me I’m afraid. I do however have a friend who raises money for charity by putting 10p in a jar every time she reads a ‘swear word’ in a book. By the sound of it she could do well reading this one, I’ll recommend it to her.
Your friend could do a lot of good if she read this book! What an interesting idea!
I’ve been so curious what you thought about this one, since you know I gave up on it. I try to pretend that I’m not that snobbish, but evidently I’m a little more prudish than I think sometimes.
I thought it looked so funny, but it just wasn’t they way I wanted to spend my time.
I’m glad it was worth risking the wrath of Mr. Jenners though!
It is so funny but it definitely pushes the envelope. I think you probably made the right choice for you!
This sounds like quite the read Jenners. I think I’d enjoy it. Haha, I don’t shock easy.
It is quite the read. I just wouldn’t want my mother reading it with me or something! Or read it in a book group!
In theory, I’m turned off by lots of bad language, but I’d at least try it. If it works, I’d keep reading.
To her credit, it really is funny but you find yourself feeling guilty sometimes for laughing.
Is Rachel Shukert her real name? All I could think about was what her parents would say if they read the book. And what about when she goes on a press tour?
Does this make me a hopelessly uncool, prudish old mother?
OMG, what happens when she has children of her own, and they read this?
I know I wouldn’t write about sexcapades (not saying I have any, BTW) until I’m in my 90s – anything I’d write would seem tame by then, I’m sure.
As far as I can tell, it is her real name. And I actually had the same thought. She is very very graphic. I don’t know if I could be as open about my life as she is. Luckily, though, she is very very funny doing it.
I think I’ll pass on this one. If I want sex I’ll wait and read “Bonk”, which I gave my daughter for her birthday last week. Only problem is she’s swamped with her real life and it may be awhile before she reads it and passes it on!
Out of curiousity….is Mr. Jenners gonna read this one now? He might get ideas about punishing you all over again!
I don’t know if I should bring it to his attention again.
And I think you need to borrow Bonk if your daughter can’t get to it soon!!! I want to read that one too.
Worth being caught by Mr. Jenners. Ha!
Yes indeed … it was worth the punishment he inflicted!
I don’t know about this one, I sort of got shocked to death by The Devils Punch Bowl. But then again, I’ve grown up since then.
You’re too funny. Glad you’ve matured so much in the last few months!
Sounds like a book that demands the reader be in a particular mood. Thanks for a review that tells me everything I’d want to know
And the book tells you everything you’d want to know … and more … too!
It sounds like a fun read and one I might enjoy!
Glad to hear you have “low standards” like me! HAHA!