Maeve Higgins, a comedian who grew up in Ireland but now lives in Brooklyn, delivers an entertaining series of pieces about her life and interests. “Lean on Me” shows how Higgins got through the Pandemic. “Bubbles and Planks” explores Higgins’ long struggle with depression. “New York, Fair or No Fair” starts with “One of three New Yorkers are immigrants.” (p. 177) Then Higgins goes on to celebrate the city she loves.
While Higgins includes plenty of humor in her stories, each of her essays tackles a serious topic. For example, the title of Maeve Higgins’ Tell Everyone On This Train I Love Them” comes from a tragic story:
“A man did a terrible thing on a train one: he attacked two teenage girls. This happened in Portland, Oregon, in 2017. He was a hight nationalist, and on of the girls was Black, the other in a hijab. Then there other men on th same trail did a beautiful thing: they stop up to the attacker and saved the girls. The attacker killed tow of those men with a knife and injured the third. One of men he killed was a gentle-looking twenty-three-year-old named Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche…. [A ] passenger told reporters afterward that he said, ‘Tell everyone on this train I love them.'” (p. 202)
Diane listens to Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me on National Public Radio each week and Maeve Higgins is a frequent guest. Higgins may be funny at times, but she has a very Serious Side. GRADE: B+
Table of Contents:
Lean on Me 1
Bubbles and Planks 19
Good Acting 41
Misneach and Rumors of War 57
Situational Awareness 85
Death Tax 113
The Innocents 141
New York, Fair or No Fair 171
Notes and Acknowledgments 205
I have been listening to Sloane Crosley also a humorist with some sober insights.
Patti, I enjoyed Sloane Crosley’s LOOK ALIVE OUT THERE http://georgekelley.org/look-alive-out-there-essays-by-sloane-crosley/
Don’t know her, but it sounds interesting. She does look very Irish. Patti, I’ve read several of Sloane Crosley’s books and plan to read her memoir.
Jeff, Maeve Higgins lives in Brooklyn and hosts a comedy show every week.
Curious though as to why you choose to use a photo of Maeve that is over 10 years old as opposed to a more recent photo that shows how she actually looks now. Yes, obviously, she has gained weight, is older and, in the eyes of traditional body image positivity, she is less appealing to public and men, but I would hope that folks would rise above that and post photos that are more realistic so that women (and men) would be OK with their looks as they are. While I do enjoy posts on this website and I do eschew political correctness that seeps into our lives on a daily basis, I still would like to see a bit more balance overall.
Gail, I have to admit I just copied the first phot of Maeve Higgins that I found online. I didn’t go any further to look at other photos. Sorry. I’ll try to do better next time.
I’ve enjoyed her performances on WAIT WAIT and elsewhere (BBC Radio 4, I think). Thanks for the pointers…
Todd, Diane listens to WAIT WAIT every week and occasionally invites me to listen to it with her when I’m available. I’ve heard Maeve Higgins a few times and found her humorous.
Sounds hilarious, especially the bit about the train stabbings! Hey, just joshing! I’m sure my path will never cross hers! I practically live in a cave these days!
Bob, as I grow older I’ve become more of a homebody, too!