The Uncollected David Rakoff: Including the entire text of Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish by David Rakoff, edited

Description

Bestselling and Thurber Prize–winning humorist David Rakoff was one of the most original, delightfully acerbic voices of his generation. Here, in one place, is the best of his previously uncollected material—most never before published in book form.   David Rakoff’s singular personality spills from every page of this witty and entertaining volume, which includes travel features, early fiction works, pop culture criticism, and transcripts of his most memorable appearances on public radio’s Fresh Air and This American Life. These writings chart his transformation from fish out of water, meekly arriving for college in 1982, to a proud New Yorker bluntly opining on how to walk properly in the city. They show his unparalleled ability to capture the pleasures of solitary pursuits like cooking and crafting, especially in times of trouble; as well as the ups and downs in the life-span of a friendship, whether it is a real relationship or an imaginary correspondence between Gregor Samsa and Dr. Seuss (co-authored with Jonathan Goldstein). Also included is his novel-in-verse Love, Dishonor, Marry, Die, Cherish, Perish.   By turns hilarious, incisive and deeply moving, this collection highlights the many facets of Rakoff’s huge talent and shows the arc of his remarkable career. With a foreword by Paul Rudnick. Content: My Sister of Perpetual Mercy -- Sagrada Familia -- My first New York -- An open letter to my sisters -- Goodbye to all of you -- A former smoker cheers -- Diary, 1998 -- What's up, Dike? -- The wizards of id -- Laura Bush -- The love that dare not squeak its name -- David Rakoff: essayist, mountaineer, "comic saint," Fresh Air interview -- Fu fighters -- Evergreen safari -- Northern composure -- A basket case in North Carolina -- Traveler's tale: a New Yorker is born -- Walk this way -- I like my dog. Yours? Not so much. -- King of the forest -- Tweenage wasteland -- Unaccustomed as I am ... : how to give a wedding toast -- David Rakoff's Half Empty worldview is full of wit, Fresh Air interview -- The craft that consumed me -- the waiting -- When bad things happen to do-good people -- Author David Rakoff calms himself by keeping a full pantry -- Oh! The places you will not go!, This American Life (co-written with Jonathan Goldstein) -- Stiff as a board, light as a feather, This American Life -- Love, dishonor, marry, die, cherish, perish -- Letter to N.Y. / by Elizabeth Bishop.