Family - The Ties That Bind...And Gag! (1988) - Plot & Excerpts
My god. For some reason, I have fond memories of this book from when I was in middle school, so I continued to slog through it now, more in a desperate attempt to understand my past self than out of any hope to find something of quality in this trashy collection.This is a collection of rambling stream-of-consciousness writing for no greater humor than the title. No exaggeration, it reads as a string of mild gags that never builds to anything. The average standup is better tied together than any chapter of this book.But the worst feature is the subject matter. She utilizes every tired stereotype about family life and gender roles, pushing them to a strange exhausted extreme where you wonder if she actually likes being a wife or mother. However, there's certainly nothing that could be considered pushing the envelope, as it's all in a veneer of sickly sweet sunday morning cartoons. The final product simply feels like a desperate help letter from someone as passed through Miss Manners.Depressing and almost entirely unfunny, I found myself groanign and frustrated throughout.
I love Erma's books! While other kids were sneakily reading the latest issue of Batman or Archie & Veronica comic books between the pages of their schoolbooks during class I was trying not to get caught laughing too loudly at the pages of the latest book by humorist author Erma Bombeck. Its safe to say that I grew up with her books and her name, and stories, just like V.C. Andrews', another author I grew up reading, brings back a lot of good reading memories. Erma, and her writing, will be dearly missed. We lucky that she left behind a treasure trove of very funny writing in her wake for generations to enjoy.
What do You think about Family - The Ties That Bind...And Gag! (1988)?
I have always enjoyed Erma Bombeck's sense of humor. her ability to poke fun at herself with no mercy always touches my funny bone. This is one of her best because it is about family. Her take on the different roles she has played throughout her life will make you think of someone you know. I chuckled and sometimes laughed aloud as she relays her funny stories. I loved the ones about being the strict parent and the all-knowing grandmother. Her writing is crisp and this short book ends too son but it is worth a reread. I have twice read this book - once in 2002 and again this year.
—Jaime Contreras
I really tried to get through this one for the sake of the book group discussion. There were a few humorous parts and I remember thinking her newspaper column was funny. But this had just too much of her sarcastic, deprecating style of humor and it got very tiresome to me. I would have liked a little more of the sentimental stuff that reminded me that she really did like her kids and parenting really can be a great joy. It's also quite dated. I ended up skimming through the last half of the book.
—Carolee Weber
If u have or have had a mother,u will laugh ....reading this book.....If u r the husband, u will nod sagely and understand how mothers the world over r the same , even over time!....And enjoy this book....If u r a mother, u will adore this book and laugh and laugh and......pause a bit when something said is so awesome and true.......and then start laughing again....The only reason the book did not get 5 stars is because it is a bit outdated.......humour tends to be in the present....usually......
—Suchitra
