Review: I Shudder and Other Reactions to Life, Death, and New Jersey

I Shudder and Other Reactions to Life, Death, and New Jersey by Paul Rudnick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

8 May 2021

Rudnick is wickedly funny, but also kind. "Sisters," the opening piece, is a memoir of his mother and aunts. He sees their quirks but he so obviously loves them, and somehow manages to convey his love for them and for John the doctor, without restraint or cliche. This is a person who really believes it is the thought that counts, and knows exactly what the giver's thought is. It's a rare quality this affectionate insight, so you understand the absurdity of meetings with Disney execs on the script of Sister Act, or Allen Carr's entourage, or Martha Stewart's "barely disguised inpatient sneer," but also what it takes to create popular hits like The Little Mermaid and Grease, or dinner party with Snoop Dogg.

And honestly, my adoration is great in part because I want to be that fond while still clear-eyed.

***

The only piece I didn't adore was [some of] Enter Trembling about Scott Rudin. There's a riff on how horrible he is, played for laughs because Rudnick is funny, contrasted with what a generous and thoughtful guy Rudin could be. The past is problematical.

Library copy

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