The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death, Laurie Notaro

uthor:
Laurie Notaro – http://www.myspace.com/idiotgirls

Full Title:
The Idiot Girl and the Flaming Tantrum of Death: Reflections on Revenge, Germophobia, and Laser Hair Removal

I really love me some Notaro. I had never heard of her a year ago, then suddenly she dropped onto my lap with a fantastic and utterly hilarious tale about her obsession with the Sims. Months later, Laurie saved my life in a dangerous situation. [more info here: not for the meek]

Jennifer was excited for the release of flaming tantrum. She had it marked on her calendar, sported a small sad little smile when they pushed back the release a couple weeks, updated her calendar, and moved into anticipation mode all over again.

I actually feel like I read this book twice. After it was released, Jenn and I were at the PacNW competition to Denny’s, a restaurant called Shari’s. Huddled together around cups of coffee and a full cigarette ashtray, I was reading my book and Jenn hers. Each time she came across a funny part, she seemed as if she were going to choke on coffee and require a medic. She would then stab me in the ear with a verbal spear, “You HAVE to hear this part!..”.

Eventually, I had to set up a rule. Every time she read me something from the book, I would earn a dollar. This did not stop her of course. it just meant that she saved up things to read to me in batches. She still owes me money. (she does the same thing with Jennifer Lancaster books)

~~

Flaming Tantrum of Death was a hoot. There were a couple stories in it that I really didnt think I could get into, “stupid Jason, forming-opinions-based-on-an-incomplete-reading-of-an-anecdote is for kids..” . Though I really did not care for the first story in it, the last paragraph made my wading through it pay off. I sat with the book in my hand and my mouth open. Slowly a chuckly-sound formed and I made a little guffaw noise.

This book covers a lot of ground for Notaro..

Every Notaro book seems to have one story that stands out above the rest.. Flaming Tantrum had 3-4 of them, one of them strangely enough, was not the title story. The actual story about the tantrum of death was very humorous, but could not hold a candle to some of the others in the book.

For someone looking to buy this book but unsure if they will like it, head over to the local book store and open up the cover. Find the chapter titled “Sickening” and read it.. Once you are done, provided you have money in your pocket, you will walk out of the store and read the rest of it. this chapter deals, in a most hilarious manner, with her recently acquired germophobia.. all thanks to the Discovery channel.

Probably my least favorite chapter is titled “Come Sail Away” – Unfortunately, unlike the STYX song, this was NOT about aliens. A lot of people never listen to all the lyrics to that song (I know that for years i didnt), so they do not know the glory of the alien reality. This chapter, instead, is about a cruise ship. I wanted aliens.

Watch out for the chapter titled “Ready or Not”.. sad… i cried.. went home and cuddled my animals.