Hard Laughter: A Novel

i love the book, but the softcover i got had been used before when i bought it new. wrinkles and creases all over.

I purchased this because I had read Anne Lamott's book on writing,  Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life , Her voice in that was so engaging and pleasant I wanted to experience her voice in fiction. Surely she could work wonders with fiction. No. She is a promiscuous twenty-three year old drug addict whose father has surgery for a brain tumor. I would feel terrible about the spoilers, except there's nothing to spoil. Even the real life situation about which it is written has a more profound ending. I understand that she was writing this during and after the passing of her father, however, I would argue that she is very fortunate to have gotten it published. And I suppose we are too, because she obviously improved in her writing, drastically so. This book was intended to be a funny book about cancer. To fill a gap that was not yet covered, but what she thinks is funny just seems awkward at best. True, the cancer experience is tough to make funny, but my advice would be skip this one. It is quite honestly the most boring book I have ever finished.

Anne Lamott's books always leave me marveling at her down-to-earth honest observations about her characters (often real people in her life in the non-fiction books) and the realities of life. This one was exceptional that way, and I enjoyed her insights and humor (always) so much that I sent copies of it to two young women I know, one of whom is going through her own father's treatment for lymphatic cancer. This book is quintessentially Anne Lamott at her best!

Fantastic bookGreat read for these tough times

I like her non fiction work better than her fiction. I buy her books and give them away all the time. Please Annie don't get depressed, drunk or high beauseof this review. Think of it as a bad dred day !!! Jesus loves you but I'm his favorite

This was the first Anne Lamott novel I'd read,,,I decided to order her other 5 books before I'd finished it because it was so enjoyable. Her style is refreshingly candid as are the characters and the underlying theme. If Ms. Lamott's other books follow suit, I'm got a lot of good material awaiting. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.....

I love Anne so much! I lived in a similar town in CA (further up the coast) and I was delighted by descriptions of community and relationships. I wish I was one of her dear friends or maybe she needs a sister? Beautifully written, a great read, so humanistic, go ahead and get it!

What can I say about Anne's writing? This is a great novel for those of us who are used to reading Anne's op-ed pieces. I love her writing which sucks you in from the beginning, and it is hard to put down. Quick reading that goes by almost too fast, I want to read more!

Book arrived as described: just not sure it is for me! But haven't yet done more than read back of book. No complaints with seller or product.