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In my search for ALL THE FUNNY BOOKS, I learned about Nora Ephron. I guess I was familiar with Nora Ephron’s work from “When Harry Met Sally”, “Sleepless in Seattle” and “You’ve Got Mail”. But I only consumed these classic romcoms because I had a huge crush on Meg Ryan. I didn’t know, nor care who wrote the original screenplays. If Meg Ryan was in the film, I was immediately a fan. Had Meg Ryan told me these films were the work of Norah Ephron, I would have read Ephron’s books years ago. But unfortunately, and inexplicably, Ms. Ryan did not inform me about her friend and prolific humor writer Nora Ephron. I know now. I can only become aware about these things on my own timeline. Here is my I Feel Bad About My Neck book review.
I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman Summary
In I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts on Being a Woman, Nora Ephron dives into the ups and downs of aging with honesty, and her signature self-deprecating humor. She published this personal collection of essays in 2006 and it became a New York Times #1 best seller later that year. The story topics range from skincare to parenting and the futile struggle against a wrinkly neck. Her reflections center on the realities of being a woman over 60 – in particular one living in the bustling metropolis of New York City.
Ephron tries to reverse the clock of aging through vigorous exercise, diet, coloring hair and an array of magical skin potions. And when all else fails, wear a turtleneck sweater to cover your neck.
“According to my dermatologist, the neck starts to go at forty-three, and that’s that.” – Nora Ephron
“Same with my hairline” – me, Scott Johnson
“Anything you think is wrong with your body at the age of thirty-five you will be nostalgic for at the age of forty-five.” – Nora Ephron
“Ah, yes. thirty-five….” – me, Scott Johnson
“The reason you’re waking up in the middle of the night is the second glass of wine.” – Nora Ephron
“Ooooooh, that makes so much sense now!” – me, Scott Johnson
“Everything is copy.” – Nora Ephron’s Mom, who was also a writer
“When you slip on a banana peel, people laugh at you; but when you tell people you slipped on a banana peel, it’s your laugh. So you become the hero rather than the victim of the joke.” – Nora’s Mom again
Who is Nora Ephron?
Nora Ephron was a celebrated American writer, filmmaker, and humorist. She was known for her witty reflections on love, life, and relationships. She penned screenplays for iconic films like When Harry Met Sally… and Sleepless in Seattle, capturing the humor and complexities of modern relationships. In her essays, she tackles topics from aging to femininity with self-deprecating humor and warmth, making her work relatable and widely admired.
The journalist, screenplay writer and author was a big city gal. She was born in New York City and spent time in Beverly Hills and Washington DC (interning during the Kennedy administration!)
Ephron was one of the few people that knew the identity of “Deep Throat” of Watergate scandal fame. Deep Throat secretly provided key information to reporter Bob Woodward. Woodward and Carl Bernstein wrote “All the President’s Men” in 1974 which detailed President Nixon’s involvement in Watergate. Norah Ephron was briefly married to Carl Bernstein from 1976-1980 and correctly guessed Deep Throat’s identity as Mark Felt. Sorry for the political history lesson. But that seemed like an interesting nugget to share of by brief Nora Ephron bio.
After a battle with leukemia, Ephron died in 2012 at the age of 71.
Now onto the rating! My I Feel Bad About My Neck book review:
My innovative system for rating humor books is explained here
Wholesomeness Score: 3.5/5
Very few swears. And despite the theme of the book (an aging woman and her changing body), Ephron delivered most of her quips in a PG-manner. However, this book does cover very mature topics – sex, death and dying, and rent controlled New York City apartment living. Rent in New York City is absolutely obscene; therefore I docked a point on the Wholesomeness scale. Yes, I’m making my rules up on the fly.
Hilarity Score: 3.5/5
I can’t understand why anyone would write fiction when what actually happens is so amazing.” – Nora Ephron
I agree – real life is often funnier than the stuff we totally make up. And growing old provides a bountiful harvest of hilarious content. Ephron recounts the ridiculous, and often fruitless battle against our failing bodies. (Well not mine. Mine body is fine.)
Overall Book Awesomeness Score: 3.5/5
Funny and superficial, mixed with serious and poignant moments about the struggles of growing old. Pretty easy and entertaining collection of humorous essays from a story-telling icon.
Things I liked:
- That this book was tangentially related to Meg Ryan
- Poking fun at ourselves as we age
- Nostalgia for younger years
- Essays (my favorite nonfiction humor form!) – very easy to consume
Things I didn’t like:
- A pretty short read (< 35,000 words). I checked the e-book out FOR FREE from my library app, so I really have nothing to complain about. But I guess I just did.
- Stories about a 60-something woman in New York City didn’t always resonate with me. YES, I KNOW – I wasn’t the target demographic Nora Ephron had in mind for this book. I still read it, AND ENJOYED it anyway. I just would have enjoyed it MORE if I was a 60-something woman from New York City AND SOMEONE WHO DIDN’T OVERUSE CAPS IN THEIR TEXT!
- Occasionally a bit depressing, rather than funny
Conclusion: Final Thoughts on “I Feel Bad About My Neck: and Other Thoughts on Being a Woman”
Funny, short, easy-to consume collection of essays from the perspective of a big-city woman complaining about growing old. This was the first book I’ve read from Nora Ephron, but I’ve watched several of the movies she wrote. I plan on consuming more of Nora Ephron’s work in the future. Especially if Meg Ryan is in it.
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