MADreads

Another David on the block

November 1st, 2006 Sarah - Alicia Ashman

Tired of waiting for your copy of Augusten Burroughs’s new book of essays, Possible Side Effects?  Already read everything by David Sedaris?

Then it’s time you stepped up to another David in the (New York) neighborhood: the underappreciated, relatively unknown David Rakoff.  He’s a frequent contributor to the radio program This American Life, but luckily for those of us who can’t remember public radio schedules to save our lives, he’s also published two fantastic little books of essays: Fraud, and the wonderfully titled Don’t Get Too Comfortable: The Indignities of Coach Class, The Torments of Low Thread Count, the Never-Ending Quest for Artisanal Olive Oil, and Other First World Problems.

Rakoff was originally born in Canada, but became a United States citizen in 2003.  Perhaps that is one of the reasons that, as the book jacket for Fraud proclaims: “Wherever he is, David Rakoff is a fish out of water.”  I know how he feels: I live in a state of outdoorsy types and campers, but I agree with Rakoff when he says, in the opening essay of Fraud, “I do not go outdoors.  No more than I have to.  As far as I’m concerned, the whole point of living in New York City is indoors.  You want greenery?  Order the spinach.”

Ever feel like a fish out of water?  If so, Rakoff’ll be good for what ails you.

Entry Filed under: Nonfiction