Review: Laughed my head off
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 27, 2013
Ginny McMath's `Broken Headbone' is a wild, hilarious romp across the mental and existential landscapes of who seem like six ordinary modern American women. But what's not ordinary about them is how they have taken their respective stories about losing their husbands (for various reasons) and turned them into something that not only heals them, but also immensely entertains others. So apologies if readers like myself find the stories hilarious--we're laughing WITH you girls, not at you.And there, the fun begins. It's not easy to put a strict category to `Broken Headbone', but the fact is, the stories start fast--it pops into you like a magic happy pill, and from then on you're on a journey that, most often, will leave you giggling--from Penny's "Barbie" to Virginia's "Dear Santa, It's Virginia," to Jane's "Clown Porn"--these are stories you may love to tell and retell to your friends and loved ones, and maybe you'll realize the whole thread is universal.The stories/essays are also cleverly categorized according to Elisabeth Kubler-Ross's five stages of grief (denial, anger, depression, bargaining and acceptance), and for me, I think that's a subtle, if emotionally resonant, literary device to use in a collection such as this. Also, perhaps it is safe to say that Ginny McMath may be the female version of David Sedaris--with all the attendant advantages of her unique perspective. Her writing's crisp and funny, but there's a palpable undercurrent of heartbreaking sincerity underneath. You're laughing, but deep down, there is a poignant tug at your heart--which all the more makes the book a must-read.And perhaps most importantly, partial proceeds from the sale of this book will go to breast cancer research, so that just ups the ante of awesome. Highly recommended!