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__lv__'s review
5.0
I just finished reading a pretty tragic book and needed to follow up with something a little more upbeat. This definitely fit the bill. As I read this story to myself, I couldn’t help but hear Jean Shepherd’s voice narrate Ralphie’s recollections of his youth – And I couldn’t help visualizing the movie versions of Ralphie and his sidekicks, Flick and Schwartz as adolescents. Ralphie’s stories are sweet and funny… A real treat for nostalgic toy, candy, and radio show lovers!
wvalice's review
5.0
I love the movie A Christmas Story, so I am very familiar with the author’s book, In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash. I think I like this one even better. Little vignettes of childhood, told from the distance of adult life. I definitely recommend.
bookappeal's review
3.0
Jean Shepherd's stories are undeniably funny and he's a master of vividly describing the life of a kid growing up in the Midwest in the 30s but they're best taken in small doses. Together, they can become slightly repetitive. Still, some of Shepherd's lines are worthy of writing down and/or memorizing and Ralphie will always be a beloved home-grown character for readers in Northwest Indiana.
squirrelmonster's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sbn42's review
5.0
Jean Shepherd reveals himself and his neighbors as they grew up in Hammond, IN. This is the third collection of his stories, that culminates with the end of his high school prom, to which he takes Wanda Hickey of the title. There are more vignettes that are recognizable from A Christmas Story such as the meat-stealing hounds.
What is it about growing up in the great flat middle of the country that has made us such a vast repository of humorous stories? Shepard started mining the motherlode in the 1940s through the 1970s, and it has been giving up hilarious observations on the radio, tv, and now podcasts, since then. “A Prairie Home Companion” picked up the vein decades ago, and the same high-quality ore is still bearing current workings such as “Ted Lasso.” For a this-day-in-history view, there is a Shep-A-Day podcast from his WOR days.
Yes, this is mostly a review of the author. Don’t worry, just go read the book. It’s hilarious.
What is it about growing up in the great flat middle of the country that has made us such a vast repository of humorous stories? Shepard started mining the motherlode in the 1940s through the 1970s, and it has been giving up hilarious observations on the radio, tv, and now podcasts, since then. “A Prairie Home Companion” picked up the vein decades ago, and the same high-quality ore is still bearing current workings such as “Ted Lasso.” For a this-day-in-history view, there is a Shep-A-Day podcast from his WOR days.
Yes, this is mostly a review of the author. Don’t worry, just go read the book. It’s hilarious.
teadragon's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Jean Shepherd is a master storyteller. I couldn't stop smiling as I read.
home_for_wayward_books's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
bookshelves_by_kezia's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
chibitecho's review
3.0
Jean Sheperd is the man who created the movie A Christmas Story. Some scenes from the movie were inspired by this book.