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I Was Told There'd Be Cake | 
 enlarge | Author: Sloane Crosley
Publisher: Riverhead Trade
Category: Book
List Price: $14.00
Buy New: $5.38
You Save: $8.62 (62%)
New (56) Used (46) Collectible (2) from $4.90
Avg. Customer Rating:  79 reviews
Sales Rank: 822
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 240
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.8
ISBN: 159448306X
Dewey Decimal Number: 814.6
EAN: 9781594483066
ASIN: 159448306X
Publication Date: April 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: new book
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Product Description
Wry, hilarious, and profoundly genuine, this debut collection of literary essays is a celebration of fallibility and haplessness in all their glory. From despoiling an exhibit at the Natural History Museum to provoking the ire of her first boss to siccing the cops on her mysterious neighbor, Crosley can do no right despite the best of intentions-or perhaps because of them. Together, these essays create a startlingly funny and revealing portrait of a complex and utterly recognizable character that's aiming for the stars but hits the ceiling, and the inimitable city that has helped shape who she is. I Was Told There'd Be Cake introduces a strikingly original voice, chronicling the struggles and unexpected beauty of modern urban life.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 74 more reviews...
 Hee hee Not! November 13, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This book had a catchy title that was a reason I was drawn to it other than that it doesn't have much going for it. It started out a little funny with "the Pony Problem" and I could definitely relate to the Oregon Trail references. After a while I lost interest because the writing wasn't that great and she was not that funny. I began to role my eyes at her pretentiousness then I just had to put the book down. I don't understand how she got such rave reviews for this debut.
 Funny slice of life book of essays November 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I loved this book and found much to laugh at in a familiar sort of way, especially the author's essay pondering what her loved ones would think about when they found her dirty apartment, the bed unmade, weeks of laundry piled up everywhere, after her untimely death, either during 911 or in some other random urban event, like being caught in the crossfire of a robber holding up a convenience store, and you're just standing there in the path of a bullet, a poor schmuck holding your carton of cigarettes in one hand and your ATM card in the other, waiting your turn in line at the cash register.
Some have criticized the author for her self-absorbed perspective, but this is the truth: most of us live our lives this way. We view large events - 9/11, for instance, from our own point of view. I recall being haunted for years at the falling bodies, wondering what/how I would feel if that was me. I also briefly thought about what my friends and relatives would think and say when they came to pack up my apartment after my untimely death and they went through all of my personal belongings.
These musings are unique to urban America. Any reader who lives in the comfy burbs won't be able to comprehend the true meaning of the word bodega. There is no English equivalent, and much of the value and wit of this book will be lost on many readers who just don't get the inside joke.
Generally amusing November 8, 2008
My job is verrrrry slow in the winter months, so needless to say I stand around for hours at a time. This book was a rather quick read but it saved me from my impending boredom for at least a few days. Like other reviewers have stated, not everyone can relate to what she writes about. I can't imagine anyone over 35 or male for that matter, getting much enjoyment from this book. Sometimes the content was a little scary, I almost felt like I had a long lost twin sister in NYC. Though some of her annoyances were silly and petty, I found this to be an accurate portrayal of an average 20-something's thought process.
 I expected more November 2, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I just thought this would be a lot more witty. I guess I was just expecting more.
Boring. October 29, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
I was hopeful that this book would be funny, and it's not even close. I thought it was boring.
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