I Was Told There’d Be Cake
by Sloane Crosley
Published by Riverhead Books
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Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
Reading Sloane Crosley’s essays titled I Was Told There’d Be Cake disrupted my family on more than one evening. After continually disturbing my husband by laughing out loud and for long periods of time, he asked me to read in my office. When I finished the book, he picked it up and now I’ve requested that he read it elsewhere as his guffaws are disturbing my peace and quiet.
Crosley has a sharp eye, is a wonderful writer with the wit and wisdom to take the absurd, mundane or any other experience for that matter and write about it in such a way that you are carried off and travel (willingly) down the quirky road she builds.
It’s difficult to choose a favorite essay, but my laugh meter launched into the stratosphere while reading “Christmas in July”. Just thinking about a young Jewish girl being sent to a Christian camp (where she plays Mary in the Christmas play) started me off giggling, and then it deteriorated into raucous laughter. It’s probably my favorite, if forced to choose.
But the “Ursula Cookie” comes close to being my favorite. The visuals of the ‘boss from hell’ and newly hired, Crosley is priceless. “Lay like Broccoli” and “Fever Faker” brought loud snickers, and “Sign Language for Infidels” was the essay where I was sent to my office due to loud laughing. I could see Crosley releasing the butterfly and feel her lack of enthusiasm about volunteering–for anything.
You may not regularly read essays, but if you miss I Was Told There’d Be Cake you’ll be missing out on a gem of a read. Remember, laughing keeps us younger.
Armchair Interviews says: A must read from a new and unique voice.
Author’s Web site: http://www.SloaneCrosley.com