Have you ever wanted to know how to raise a well-rounded child, without having to use a punishment bag?
Or perhaps you are a struggling 16 year old trying to find guidance through the hell that is high school?
Well look no further, because comedian Eugene Mirman has heard all of your cries and has answered all of life’s toughest questions in the form of a satirical self-help book:
“The Will to Whatevs: A Guide to Modern Life.”
Mirman is a comedian, writer and actor who resides in New York City. You may have seen him on HBO’s series “Flight of the Conchords” playing Bret and Jemaine’s creepy landlord. He also has a 30 minute stand up set on Comedy Central.
I will not lie to you, the only reason I decided to read the book was because it had a bright yellow exterior and in the left corner it makes sure to let you know that “The Will to Whatevs” is “not for babies (they can’t read).”
So if you love the color yellow and you are NOT a baby, then do what I did and buy the book immediately.
It could have been the best decision I had made that day (let’s say it was an eight hour day).
The book starts out with praise from other comedians and authority figures.
The second I saw the following quote by comedian David Cross, I knew that I was in for a treat.
“Do you need tips on how to live? I mean, besides the breathing and eating part? Then this book is for you! Includes self-help tips for Jewish robots from the future (I’m Guessing)!!!!!”
With two prefaces and three introductions you should have no problem understanding the objective of the book.
Mirman’s writing style was so much fun to read, it was as if he was sitting on my lap telling me to “stop referring to your husband/wife as your friend with benefits.”
I’m not sure about you, but I know that its not often that a book makes me feel like a grown man is sitting on my lap whispering sweet nothings into my ear.
Just to clarify: Mirman’s words are not nothings but they are sweet.
Throughout the duration of the book, Mirman makes up terms and has little Photoshopped pictures of himself doing various things that correlate to the topic at hand. Most importantly, the book will make you laugh out loud.
There is one drawback, though: sometimes you can look like a fool if you are laughing to yourself in public.
My suggestion is to read it in absolute solitude so that you will not run the risk of looking like a lunatic.
I’m not sure why anyone has not made a satirical self-help book before, but the concept is amazing and luckily, Eugene Mirman executed it very well.
I would recommend this book to anyone who knows how to laugh and needs help—except for babies.