Why We Suck: A Feel-good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid by Denis Leary
Release date: 2008 / 240 pages
Synopsis: “Do you SUCK? Would you like to not SUCK? Do you know other people who SUCK? Would you like to tell them how to SUCK less or how to possibly become totally SUCK-free? Then buy this book, because inside Dr. Denis Leary is ready to help you overcome all the sucky things that make you such a suckass.
First line: “Just in case you still do not understand (and given the condition of this country and the people we place into elected office, I think there are whole cities full of morons who couldn’t beat a bag of hammers in a game of Scrabble out there) let me make it simple for you: This is a comedy book.”
Review: This could be a two sentence review: If you find Denis Leary’s humor funny, read this book. If not, pass it up.
However, I can’t just leave it at that… I had to wait MONTHS for this book at the libray — which really intrigued me. Not to mention it has been on the NYT’s bestseller’s list for many months. So, I was intrigued… Plus, my husband and I thought we might listen to it on our way to the cabin (but the library did not have it on CD yet), so we each read it instead.
Now, do I find Leary funny? Kind of… sometimes. Do I agree with his world view? Kind of… sometimes. So, ultimately I found this book to be kind of funny at times and rather tedious at times. A whole lot of ranting, spewing, pontificating, you get the idea… some of which was funny.
In fact some bits are quite funny — and I do basically agree with his “common sensical” approach to America. However, I’m not nearly as cynical as he is (and I’m pretty cynical, actually!) and he is really, really a product of his upbringing. In his world, only women are able to nurture, all men are beer-guzzling, skirt-chasing simpletons, and so on…
Now, would I like to see Michael Vick strapped to a meat suit and chased down the field by pit bulls? Well, I wouldn’t actually want to SEE that, but the image does almost make up for the image of Eagles fans giving Vick a standing ovation in the preseason before he had even taken a snap. (Seriously, why WERE you applauding, people?).
And many of Leary’s childhood stories were amusing — God bless his mother. One great irony in this book is how often Leary abuses Dr. Phil, who actually espouses the same common sense, behavioralist theories that Leary subscribes to — only in order to actually help people. So, those bits seemed uninformed, but we are all allowed to voice our opinions even if mislead…
Honestly, I think Leary is most irritated by the logical results of capitalism — you give people what they want, even if what they want is an overpriced cup of Joe or a gas-guzzling behemoth that trashes the environment or a woefully underprepared governor who thinks women will vote for her simply because she’s female…. Frustrating? You betcha!
So, while I appreciated Leary’s point of view, and even agreed with it frequently, his rant felt very long at 240 pages and a bit limited by his paradigm… But, lucky for him, apparently something else Americans want is… to listen to him! Rant! And his voice is refreshing at a time in our country when common sense seems to get drowned out too often…
I listened to the audiobook version, and I agree with your assessment. I don’t always agree with Leary (especially when he is a little to harsh on kids), but I do find him amusing most of the time. My favorite bits were the family stories and his conversion to the Cult of Oprah
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Yes!! His conversion bit was wonderful… My husband is still holding out, though…!