I have just finished reading “For Frying Out Loud-Rehoboth Beach Diaries” and feel as if I have a new friend. I have heard the name Fay Jacobs for several years now and I understand that we were both at the same conference in May but did not meet. Now even though I haven’t personally met her, I feel like I know her a bit. She writes with great wit and humor and is a pleasure to read. In fact time flew and before I knew it I had finished her book in one sitting and I am quite sure there was a smile on my face. It has been a while since I have enjoyed a book like I did this one.
Jacobs has her own way of looking at life—she does it with wit and she has the ability to share that wit with others. The book covers the years 2007-2010 and Jacobs covers a plethora of topics—love, gay culture, change, history, pride, porn, home improvement and so on and on. The world is her oyster (I can’t say that though, Jacobs is a good Jewish girl and everyone knows that they do not eat oysters).
All I know about Rehoboth Beach, I know from Fay Jacobs and she has convinced me that all I have to do is pack my bags and get there and live happily ever after. I am tempted even though I do not see that happening anytime soon.
This collection of essays has got to be one of the most original collections of writings ever but then with chapter titles like “Thanks for the Mammaries…”, “I Will Not be Erases”, “Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay” and “A Whole Lot of Ugly From a Whole Bunch of Stupid” just to cite a few, you know that you are kin for a fun read.
The only problem with discovering Fay Jacobs is that now I have to backtrack and read her other books. She has whetted my appetite as I almost wet myself laughing. I understand that Jacobs is “the secret love child of Dorothy Parker and Jackie Mason” and she lives up to that with her sharp, caustic and literary wit, I am a bit worried about what Jackie Mason’s mother will say now that he has married a shiksa and fathered a child with her. Then again who cares what she and anyone else has to say, I am too busy enjoying this book. It is provocative and thought provoking and has some strong messages. This is the kind of book that yells, “read me” and you must, you really need to read this book.
Amos Lassen
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Reviews by Amos Lassen 