My Fair Lazy by Jen Lancaster
by Jenners • 01/11/2012 • 3 Stars, Audiobook, Humor, L Authors, M Titles, Memoir, Non-Fiction • 22 Comments
My Fair Lazy written by Jen Lancaster and read by Jaime HeinleinPublisher: Penguin Audiobooks, 2010
Length: 9 hours and 15 minutes
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Humor
Where I Got It: Audible
Why I Read It: I’ve read three other Lancaster books and enjoyed them so why not one more?
My Rating: 3 stars
Book Description
Since her debut memoir (and seriously, how many people can say that?) Bitter Is the New Black (which chronicled her journey from dot.com executive to unemployed Prada-wearing temp), Lancaster has mined almost all aspects of her life in her humorous memoirs—ranging from weight loss (Such A Pretty Fat) to city living (Bright Lights, Big Ass). In this one, she’s determined to smarten herself up by getting cultured, which involves tasting wine, attending the theater, trying new cuisines, reading literature and participating in other “hoity toity” activities.
My Thoughts
Well, when you’re on your fourth memoir before the age of 40, you’re going to start running out of material—and that seemed pretty apparent in this book. Although the premise seemed OK (less reality television, more ballet), the problem in this book was Lancaster herself. Rather than being an amusing smart ass, I thought Lancaster just came off as an ass this time around. Perhaps this grasping for topics to memoirize (Is that a word? If not it should be! And I just coined it!) was why her latest book was a novel instead of a memoir.
Although there are some funny sections, most of the book made Lancaster seem self-involved, shrill and shallow. It was the first book of hers that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy, and the first time I didn’t want to hang out with her. Here’s hoping her foray into fiction nets her some fresh ideas.
About the Narration
I was surprised that Jen Lancaster herself didn’t narrate the book. However, I’ve never heard her talk so perhaps her voice wasn’t suited for narration. (But if Sarah Vowell can do it, ANYONE can do it.) Jaime Heinlein had shades of “Valley Girl” in her voice somewhere that didn’t sit well with me. In fact, I found it a bit of a chore to listen to the book. Part of it was the content of the book itself, and part of it was Heinlein’s voice. Now that I’ve listened to several audiobooks, I’m learning that there are some narrators that you don’t mind spending time with and those that wear out their visit. For me, Heinlein wore her visit by hour two.
Recommended For
Die-hard Jen Lancaster fans and reality show junkies.
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I have read two of her books and really liked them – I laughed throughout (Bitter in the New Black and Such a Pretty Fat) but I did hear the My Fair Lazy and Pretty in Plaid were not as good. I wonder about her newest which is a fiction based on her real life.
Thanks for the honest review.
Yea, four memoirs seems like overkill. Thanks for the honest review.
I still have her first one on my wish list because of you! 4 memoirs by 40 is a bit silly.
Four memoirs? And I can’t even write a blog post–sheesh! But seriously, thanks for your honest review.
I met Jen this past October. She actually has a fairly decent voice – you are absolutely correct that if Sarah Vowell can do it, anyone can. I picked up her latest book but haven’t read it yet. I’m a little afraid now to start it.
You really do write great reviews that are just honest and straight forward
wow, 4 memoirs–I can’t even get to one (unless you count my blog)
I’m going to give this a wide berth.
I’ll take you word for it. I’ve read a few & Such a Pretty Fat remains my fave.
self-involved and an ass too. . .yeah, not my cup of tea. But oh goodness do I know what you mean about narrators! I keep trying to listen to Micro as I’m driving and the narrator does this awful European accent that sounds incredibly fake. Quite annoying!
I want to try her work, but think I should start with Bitter is the New Black.
She has the best titles ever.
Four memoirs by 40? Geez…I’d do well to come up with ONE that wouldn’t bore folks to death and I’m 53. I do like the cover, though. (something about animal prints….)
Thank you for the frank and honest review. It’s unfortunate that she was trying to be witty and it didn’t pay off. Maybe the next one will be better…I think they should add your new word to the literary dictionary.
And you know what, she may not be a self-involved ass but it is easy to come across that way when you are trying too hard. I admire your tenacity for finishing. I would have gotten irritated and given up. I have no patience for such things. And you are right, some narrators should get a new job. Just saying.
I really like Jen Lancaster, but I agree her last couple weren’t as great. Although I do think I liked this one better than Pretty in Plaid or the other recent one.. I still need to read her fiction. My sister and I plan on seeing her in March at a signing!
Haha – loved the crack about Sarah Vowell’s voice! She’s hilarious in interviews (and I find her voice amusing then) but as an audio narrator her voice doesn’t work for me.
I love “memoirize” (although spell-check doesn’t love it as much as I do). Four memoirs does seem like a bit much.
Oh, I know I definitely would not like this one, as shrill and whiny are so not my cup of tea. I also have a problem with bad narration, so this will be one that I truly avoid. Thanks for telling it like it is, and being so forthright.
I found this one on the library site the other day as an audio I think. I sure hope I’ll like it more than you did. Oh well, I’m not in any hurry to listen to it anyhow.
Loving the cover, not too sure about the book though.
Jenners, interesting enough I felt the way you did with her debut book Bitter. I just didn’t like her and couldn’t enjoy it, there is no way I would read more. I am surprised she continues to do memoirs though, it does seem a bit extreme but as we know its all about Jen.