Rating:  - Just Plain Fun
Allen Salkin is the most creative, quirky writer today. He takes Festivus and gives us a super clean, fun holiday that "the rest of us" can enjoy. Particularly if you can't stand the holidays, you can turn to Festivus - it's like group therapy for holiday nay-sayers. But I love Salkin's writing and follow his work closely. I suggest you dig into this fantastic piece of work, and by the way, it's a GREAT stocking stuffer too!!
Rating:  - Not funny
Wow, did Allen Salkin get lucky. He must be related to Jerry Stiller or something. From his writing, I'd say that JS's involvement is the only reason he got a book deal.
This book reads like a 9th grade term paper-- and a poor one at that.
What a lame book!
Rating:  - Unfunny and banal
Not the worst book I've read this year, but in the bottom 20%, this allegedly humorous tome explores a generally faux holiday. Plotlines from old sitcoms generally don't make for the most inspired book, that's why there's not a book about Lucille Ball running amok in a factory.
I don't begrudge the authors for attempting to jump on the Seinfeld bandwagon, but guys - that bandwagon left the station 4 years ago.
Rating:  - It's a lot of fun.
FESTIVUS: THE HOLIDAY FOR THE REST OF US falls into the realm of the Just Plain Silly. The book has a foreword by Jerry Stiller. Any fan of TV's "Seinfeld" can tell you why that's significant and will instantly recall the "Festivus" episode that introduced the holiday's Festivus Pole, the Feats of Strength and the Airing of Grievances, all of which are covered here.
It seems Festivus can be celebrated at any time of year and, according to the book, it "can be adapted to fit anything." This little book explains the origin of the word in ancient times and brings us up to date with Festivus party planning, favors, food and games. Hosts of Festivus parties share their personal experiences, which can be bizarre and even offensive.
It's a lot of fun.
Rating: - Festivus...YESSS!
My friends and I always talked about having a Festivus party and thought we were the only ones original and subversive enough to attempt it, but as Allen Salkin thoroughly reveals, we were not. Turns out, people all over the country have been celebrating Festivus since the Seinfeld episode aired, adding their own uniquely hilarious twists on the 3 essential elements of the holiday; the pole, the airing of grievances, and the feats of strength! The book is packed with enough accounts and images of Festivus revelers nationwide to turn even the steeliest reader onto its low-budget charms. I received the book as a Secret Santa gift at work (ironic, no?) and am spreading the gospel to my two brothers, who will both find this tight little tome tucked into their respective stockings this holiday season.
And in the spirit of Festivus, Three Grievances:
1. Gypsies don't excite me the way they used to.
2. The girl across from me looks better in her denim mini.
3. My boss's refridgerator smells like a rancid bait shop.
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