Lit Gloss

Things I’ve Learned From Women Who’ve Dumped Me.

by Liz Spikol

One of the funniest things anyone’s ever called me—and the context is too weird to explain—was “too clever by half.” That expression came to mind when I read Things I’ve Learned From Women Who’ve Dumped Me. The book, a collection of essays by extremely funny men who’ve all been traumatized by the fairer sex, is the kind of treat one has to indulge in parts, rather than all at once. Otherwise it does seem too clever by half—or maybe by whole. The reason is that the voices sound too alike; after you put the book down you won’t really be able to remember if it was Ben Karlin, Eric Slovin or Rodney Rothman who couldn’t keep it up, was shocked by a secret admirer named Helen Goldfarb or who—so sadly typical of my people—threw up from a mere two shots of Jameson. And speaking of my people, if you thought the era of great Jewish comedy ended when Mel Brooks started recycling himself, you’ll be heartened by this book, which proves a new generation of Jewish guys are happy to process their loserdom for our collective delight. Many of the rejected have impressive TV credits that reflect their sensibilities: The Daily Show, The Colbert Report (including Colbert himself), The Larry Sanders Show, Mr. Show, The Office and (less excitingly) Saturday Night Live. Also along for the ride are Nick Hornby, David Rees (Get Your War On), former Sen. Bob Kerrey, Dan Savage, Fountains of Wayne bassist Adam Schlesinger and several Onion scribes. You’ll be tempted to read this book in a night, but don’t do it. Linger over it, like a Passover seder. It’s much more fun that way.