Long Island Compromise is not only funny to the person reading it, but funny enough to elicit a giggle out of a spouse who, walking by, peeped one line. High praise in our house!!
PS Realize this might seem surprising in light of her recent NYT piece but in addition to a close look at how trauma ricochets through a family, it also is legit LOL funny at parts (that’s her gift!).
Where's my comment about how thrilled I was to read this? Maybe it stayed in the murky bottom my brain, where all the dead things are. Sigh. I was thrilled to read this is what I'm trying to say. Also, I want to eat all the LA food! xo
Thanks for a great post. When I read the word "hotcakes" I flashed on an old New Yorker cartoon. Guy is operating a food booth at a fair and the sign over it says: HOTCAKES! But the original price has been crossed out, and there's a cheaper number, and that's crossed out, and so is the next one . . . the guy is leaning on one elbow looking glum. Another guy walks up to the booth and asks, "So, how's business?" That's my idea of funny, anyway.
As we seriously aged hipsters used to say: Keep on keeping on!
Happy vacation-sans-kids! I always look forward to your updates. My son lives in LA, and we freaking love Gjelina. And I devoured Catherine Newman's Sandwich! I am now excited to read A Novel Love Story, so thanks for the heads up. And congrats on your top-secret project. Cannot wait.
Kudos to you for taking a kid-free vacation (and props to the in-laws)! Love me some Charles Portis; when I feel down I just read the last few bits of True Grit and I am LOL. If you need more Mexican kaftans, there are tons of gorgeous Oaxacan embroidered dresses on Etsy and eBay!
I was in my 30s before I, an Oklahoman, kinda clued in that True Grit took place in part in Indian Territory (pre-State Oklahoma). I thought "oh, okay, I should probably read this" and undertook my obligation. And was dazzled by how freaking hilarious it was. A wonderful reading memory, thanks for evoking it.
So glad you and Mike had a wonderful vacation. And I bet the kids had a ball too.
Honestly too many ingredients. Did you see the 32 ounce jars of brightly colored sea moss? Sea moss gel? I don't know what the hell that stuff is but the people of Erewhon BELIEVE.
Our hotel -- Silver Lake Hotel and Pool -- was literally next door to Erewhon and we would take our jet-lagged bodies over there when it opened at 7 and just wander the aisles as if it were a museum.
I love this thread...and this newsletter. (And hey, E & L! :)
Back when it looked like my first novel might be a thing, the producer who optioned it and the potential screenwriter took me to lunch at Musso & Frank. That was surreal for many reasons, and so much fun.
At the same time, early 2011, I knew exactly who I imagined would play Ruby: Hailee Steinfeld from the Coens Bros' True Grit. (By the time the movie was up and running, she would have been the right age, and she already had the right gravity.) (Hey, a guy can dream!)
So, to answer your original question in the most roundabout way possible, Emma: I adore Portis's shaggy-dog style and Dog of the South especially...but True Grit (kind of a different thing) was special and inspirational for me.
Thank you for this vacation report. I feel like I took a little 5 min vicarious vacation! What a treat!
“Nothing to See Here” by Kevin Wilson just hit the comedic spot when I read all those years ago.
Congratulations on your new project!
The world is on fire, the country is on fire…but that pink dress *is* fire. So fantastic! Thanks for the fun glimpse into LA on a getaway :)
Long Island Compromise is not only funny to the person reading it, but funny enough to elicit a giggle out of a spouse who, walking by, peeped one line. High praise in our house!!
PS Realize this might seem surprising in light of her recent NYT piece but in addition to a close look at how trauma ricochets through a family, it also is legit LOL funny at parts (that’s her gift!).
Where's my comment about how thrilled I was to read this? Maybe it stayed in the murky bottom my brain, where all the dead things are. Sigh. I was thrilled to read this is what I'm trying to say. Also, I want to eat all the LA food! xo
Charles Portis is my former MEL's favorite writer. That always reminds me that she's more irreverent than she presents. Love the pink!
Thanks for a great post. When I read the word "hotcakes" I flashed on an old New Yorker cartoon. Guy is operating a food booth at a fair and the sign over it says: HOTCAKES! But the original price has been crossed out, and there's a cheaper number, and that's crossed out, and so is the next one . . . the guy is leaning on one elbow looking glum. Another guy walks up to the booth and asks, "So, how's business?" That's my idea of funny, anyway.
As we seriously aged hipsters used to say: Keep on keeping on!
I am reading A Novel Love Story right now and I’ve got Sandwich on my list! So excited by the rave reviews.
Happy vacation-sans-kids! I always look forward to your updates. My son lives in LA, and we freaking love Gjelina. And I devoured Catherine Newman's Sandwich! I am now excited to read A Novel Love Story, so thanks for the heads up. And congrats on your top-secret project. Cannot wait.
The Dog of the South! John Selmer Dix and his lost trunk!
Voted!!! 🧡🧡🧡🧡
Kudos to you for taking a kid-free vacation (and props to the in-laws)! Love me some Charles Portis; when I feel down I just read the last few bits of True Grit and I am LOL. If you need more Mexican kaftans, there are tons of gorgeous Oaxacan embroidered dresses on Etsy and eBay!
I was in my 30s before I, an Oklahoman, kinda clued in that True Grit took place in part in Indian Territory (pre-State Oklahoma). I thought "oh, okay, I should probably read this" and undertook my obligation. And was dazzled by how freaking hilarious it was. A wonderful reading memory, thanks for evoking it.
So glad you and Mike had a wonderful vacation. And I bet the kids had a ball too.
Fun all American “road trip”! Good move, Emma and Mike!
Glad y'all got to recharge a bit!
We were in LA at the same time and, yes, my daughter got the Hailey Beiber smoothie, too. She said it gave her a stomach ache.
Honestly too many ingredients. Did you see the 32 ounce jars of brightly colored sea moss? Sea moss gel? I don't know what the hell that stuff is but the people of Erewhon BELIEVE.
Our hotel -- Silver Lake Hotel and Pool -- was literally next door to Erewhon and we would take our jet-lagged bodies over there when it opened at 7 and just wander the aisles as if it were a museum.
We were there too!!!! Laura!!!! We could have dated!!!!
I feel a novel is trying to start . . .
Two novelists stay at the same hotel….dead body in the pool, maybe?
I love this thread...and this newsletter. (And hey, E & L! :)
Back when it looked like my first novel might be a thing, the producer who optioned it and the potential screenwriter took me to lunch at Musso & Frank. That was surreal for many reasons, and so much fun.
At the same time, early 2011, I knew exactly who I imagined would play Ruby: Hailee Steinfeld from the Coens Bros' True Grit. (By the time the movie was up and running, she would have been the right age, and she already had the right gravity.) (Hey, a guy can dream!)
So, to answer your original question in the most roundabout way possible, Emma: I adore Portis's shaggy-dog style and Dog of the South especially...but True Grit (kind of a different thing) was special and inspirational for me.