Publication Date: January 12, 2013
[easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”0615741150″ locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51szYdLcVyL._SL160_.jpg” width=”107″]This is a collection of 37 short pieces laced with humor and real-life references dealing with a multitude of topics including parenting, shopping and even proof of life on other planets.
Search John Hartnett in Google and you’ll get endless listings for Josh Hartnett and his fan sites. Not unusual, according to Hartnett, who didn’t bat an eye when I responded to his e-mail using that name. I promised to get his name right in the review and I have. I will not be forgetting his name as I must look for any new releases by this talented humorist.
Hartnett opens his compilation of essays with an introduction to the author. His next essay, “Quiet Please, Soccer Game in Progress” hit home with this former hockey, now figure skating, mom. He cites the freezing temperatures, two games per weekend and says to us, “I saw two four-year-old girls selling Sumbuca out of the back of their parents’ suburban.” He reminisces about the day when a child hopped on their bike to attend an activity and answered the “How did it go?” when he got home. Oh, for those precious days lost.
From there on the essays simply get funnier. My absolute favorite story was “London Calling” which features Edna and Thomas in a Ned Flanders as town watchdog kind of segment. They are cutting crime off at its source, one heart attack and misconstrued group of protesters (schoolchildren on a field trip) at a time. In “Times they are A Changin’,” the subject and his wife head for a rare childless night out where they talk about how they’re not going to talk about the kids. Having had a few date nights of my own with the husband, I not only saw myself in the conversation but the idea of trying to relive the past and finding that the past is, indeed, very old.
[easyazon-link asin=”0615741150″ locale=”us”]The Barber’s Conundrum and Other Stories: Observations on Life From the Cheap Seats[/easyazon-link] is quite frankly a well-written, hilarious look at a side of life we all see every day but don’t take the time to appreciate. Hartnett’s writing style is part Groucho Marx, part Dave Barry and always entertaining.If you’re looking for a quick read that is just good fun, [easyazon-link asin=”0615741150″ locale=”us”]The Barber’s Conundrum and Other Stories: Observations on Life From the Cheap Seats[/easyazon-link] is the book for you.
To order this book from Amazon.com simply click on the image or book title anywhere in this review. Links to the book on Amazon.ca and Amazon.co.uk are below.
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Read a blog interview with John Hartnett on “what exactly is humor“.
For more information about John Hartnett and his work, visit his website. You can connect with him on Goodreads, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter @JohnJHartnett.