Moranthology
Caitlin Moran
2012
234 pages
“Words can be weapons, or love-spells, or just motorcars you can drive across country borders.” Caitlyn Moran, Moranthology
Warning: this post contains more love for Moran.
I bought Moranthology almost the very second after I finished listening to How to Be a Woman because Moran says oodles of things that I wish I’d thought of. And while I’m not nearly as into music as she is (a fact supported by my abysmal performance on the SongPop app), I forgive her because she’s still both hysterically funny and insightful even when I don’t know what the hell she’s talking about.
Moranthology is a collection of some of her columns from The Times (and most likely published because How to Be a Woman was wildly successful, but if my first book was a runaway success and I had oodles of columns to re-publish you can damn will bet I’d've done the same thing). If you’ve already read How to Be a Woman, some of it is a bit of a repeat, but most is not. Mostly it’s more brilliant social commentary from Moran, mixed in with lots of irreverence. Well, brilliant if you’re a liberal pop-culture loving woman with feminist leanings. Not that others can’t or won’t enjoy. I’m just guessing that those of us who will love it the most are liberal pop-culture loving women. With potty mouths.
Ironically, some of my favorite essays were on topics that I’m totally unfamiliar with.* There was funny one on her interview with Keith Richards (done at the time that his book came out) that made me want to run out and buy his book. And the talk of Dr. Who made me wish I’d seen all the episodes. Ditto for Downton Abbey. And Sherlock Holmes. Not that I can’t buy/rent them now, but if I can’t even be bothered to rent The Shining, do you really think an entire tv show is gonna happen?
Anyhoosie, as I’m sure you’ve guessed, I’m at the point where I’ll read anything Moran writes. She just needs to hurry up and write another book. Please??
*To clarify: I know who Keith Richards is. I’m not THAT oblivious to music. I just haven’t read his book. And I didn’t want to until I read this one.
I have “Life” loaded on my iPod but it is a million years long so I haven’t taken it on yet. But I will. Now this Moran chick. I don’t know much about her, but I’ve seen the reviews for her latest book. Didn’t I see in People (while I was at the hairdresser, just for clarification) that she is in the middle of a big divorce? Or am I getting her confused with someone else?
I read your review of the first one, and it raised my interests, but now that you have read and loved the second one, I think I need to get this. It sounds perfect for me, and what I am really attracted to is the irreverence. I listened to the first half of Life, but that was only because it was narrated by Johnny Depp, and then when his part ended, I kind of just fell away from the book. If you aren’t a Stones fan, it can be kind of boring.
Our library has dvd’s of popular TV shows. Not that I think you need to watch the ones you mentioned, just saying–you can check them out and say you’ll watch them and then return them unwatched (or partially watched) and you’re not out any money. Then again, you may not be as cheap as I am.
I’m sure I told this the last time you reviewed one her books, but I don’t know who Moran is. I wonder if I’m too old to get all the pop cultural references.
“liberal pop-culture loving woman with feminist leanings” – That’s me! No wonder I liked this book so much. Then turned around and put it in my daughter’s hands so I can make sure she’s properly indoctrinated.
I feel like Holly Hunter in Raising Arizona: “I love her so much! I mean, I love her so much!” Complete with the snivel.
I absolutely loved Moranthology but was a bit worried that there might have been too much crossover, so I haven’t read her first book. Thanks for informing me there’s not too much repeated. I’ll have to go back and read her first, now. She’s such a hoot, but so wise at the same time.
I haven’t heard of Moran but this sounds like a fun and very interesting read. I just put myself on hold for the ebook version at the library – I’m next in line so I should be able to read it soon! It looks like it will take me longer to read HOW TO BE A WOMAN – it has a very long wait list for all versions. I put myself down for the audio as that had the shortest wait list.
I just have to read this. I loved her first book – mostly her writing/talking style, and this one sounds just as wonderful.
I didn’t know who she was until I read this book — but I really loved it.
I have a crush on her too!! She needs to write faster!