The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell

The Partly Cloudy Patriot by Sarah Vowell
Audio 5 hours
published by Simon & Schuster Audio in 2003 (originally published in 2002)
ISBN-13: 9780743533485

Type: {Commuter Read: format lends easily to starting/ stopping}
Rating: {Me Likey: Enjoyable! Particularly for fans of this genre}

Why You’re Reading It:

• You have read Sarah Vowell before and want to hear more of her personal opinions
• Listening to anybody else’s books when you could be listening to Vowell’s voice is almost a crime
• You remember the early 2000′s and could use a good laugh

What I Thought:

Vowell does it again creating a witty, thoughtful, and intelligent read. Often Vowell will chose a particular subject and concentrate on it (or, at least, on a storyline that pertains that it). In The Partly Cloudy Patriot, Vowell gets a bit more personal. She gives us more anecdotes into her personal life and her opinions on current events. In fact, though incorporating history (as is her forte), this book is more a series of essays about current events. And, of course, current events for the time which she wrote it (the early 2000′s).

Does this mean that it is an irrelevant read in the year 2011? Not quite. And especially not for Vowell fans. Though it would have been more enjoyable to read this when it was freshly published, those of us who can remember our not-so-distant past will get enjoyment out of hearing her commentary about the times. And Vowell fans will enjoy the wider opening of the curtain into her life.

As for new-to-Vowell readers, starting with this book would be robbing yourself of getting to know Vowell. Ironic since it was just stated that this is a glimpse into Vowell’s life? Not really. One must appreciate a person before wanting to know more about said person’s life, while reading a book that is similar to a book of op-eds.  Once you are familiar with Vowell’s work, take the time to read The Partly Cloudy Patriot. Like a good case of beer, you wouldn’t give it to your underage cousin who is trying drinking for the first time… you would save it for when they can appreciate the taste. The same could be said for this book.

If you are interested in finding out about other Vowell books that would be good to start with, see here.