Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant?

Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? cover
Good Books rating 4.25
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Technical
  • ID: 8962
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-31
  • ISBN: 9781620406380
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
  • Published: 2014-05-06
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Roz Chast's first memoir combines her signature wit with poignant storytelling to tackle the delicate subject of aging parents. Through a mix of four-color cartoons, family photos, and personal documents, she navigates the complexities of her parents' final years, offering both laughter and tears. The memoir delves into universal themes such as role reversal, the emotional toll of caregiving, and the bittersweet process of letting go. Chast's unique perspective and artistic talent create a deeply personal and relatable narrative that resonates with anyone who has experienced the life-altering loss of elderly parents. /n/n The book is not just a story about Chast's parents but also a reflection on her own journey as a daughter. It captures the idiosyncrasies of her relationship with her parents, highlighting the struggles and triumphs of their later years. Chast's honest and often humorous approach makes the memoir a comforting and comic relief for readers facing similar situations. The blend of visual and textual storytelling makes 'Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant?' a standout in the genre of memoirs.

Reviews
Kirkus Reviews · 2025-12-24
revelatory 4.25

This memoir is a revelatory and occasionally hilarious exploration of the dying process and family dynamics. It adds a new dimension to the author's work and is a top-notch graphic memoir.

Kirkus Reviews praises this graphic memoir as a top-notch addition to the genre, highlighting its revelatory and occasionally hilarious exploration of the dying process. The memoir offers a unique perspective on family dynamics and the challenges of aging, making it a compelling and emotionally resonant read. The illustrations are a standout feature, enhancing the storytelling and making the emotions palpable. It's a book that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on your own family dynamics.


Quick quotes

    A top-notch graphic memoir that adds a whole new dimension to readers' appreciation of Chast and her work.

    A revelatory and occasionally hilarious memoir by...

    The most striking part of the book is Roz's fraught relationship with her mother, which never reaches full reconciliation.

Cannonball Read · ElleSFena · 2022-09-05
delightful 4.50

The book is a quick and engaging read, filled with humor and heart. The author's illustrations are a delight, adding a unique charm to the narrative.

ElleSFena found this book to be a delightful and quick read, finishing it in one night. The humor and illustrations make it a standout, with moments that will have you laughing out loud. It's a heartfelt exploration of family and aging, presented in a way that is both engaging and emotionally resonant. The blend of text and illustrations makes it a unique and memorable read.


Quick quotes

    I really enjoyed this book and finished it in one night.

    Roz Chast's writing and illustrations are funny, and I laughed out loud several times.

    I wish we had been closer.

The Guardian · 2016-11-23
touching 4.00

The memoir is a poignant and humorous exploration of aging and family dynamics, with a raw honesty that resonates deeply. The illustrations add a unique layer to the narrative, making it both engaging and emotionally impactful.

This graphic memoir is a heartfelt journey through the author's experiences with her aging parents. The blend of humor and despair makes it relatable and touching, as it captures the complexities of family relationships and the challenges of aging. The illustrations are a standout feature, enhancing the storytelling and making the emotions palpable. It's a book that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on your own family dynamics.


Quick quotes

    Bold and honest, hilarious and despairing, this graphic memoir from the New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast carefully chronicles the demise of her parents.

    It's also dead funny, writes Rachel Cooke.

    The New Yorker cartoonist's account of her parents' final years is sobering stuff.