Life Is Short, But It's Wide: In the Southern State of Reality

This is a cute compilation of anecdotes by the author Ann Ipock. She tells her stories as though she is talking to you in person. I could also get into the stories a bit more (I felt) because I live in NC and visit Pawleys Island a good bit.

This second book by Ann Ipock, a collection of six chapters of mini-essays, promises much good work to come from this Pawley's Island, South Carolina journalist. Like any good humorist, she uses the particular to illustrate and poke fun at the general state of humanity. Not only does the middle-aged (and these days, who isn't?) reader identify with Ann's irreverent musings and mishaps, but almost anyone can certainly find some true stress relief as she puts modern suburban life in perspective. I dare the reader to try to resist laughing out loud at her take on our foibles and petty aggravations. While Ann's voice is distinctly southern, her humor has universal appeal. Who wouldn't cackle at her essays on such topics as mall culture, on spouses' coping with snoring and "puffing," on sports-car shopping at 40-something, at Americans' obsession with "scented" everything, on the perils of gardening and grits, and on teaching one's husband to dance? The essay paralleling women perpetually laden with suitcase-weight purses and tourists who can't travel light reminded me of a classic George Carlin skit about people's "stuff." More particularly Southern are her essays on the regional tendency to bestow two names on babies, on collecting Greenbax stamps at the local Piggly Wiggly supermarket, and perhaps even the one on Big Hair. Ann Ipock's irreverent tone, exemplified by her parade of "sassy Southern sayings," definitely shares some characteristics with Celia Rivenbark's writings. (Ms. Rivenbark is another author/journalist from the same region whose columns have been syndicated, much to her readers' delight.) Ipock's comments on recalcitrant critters--from dogs and lizards, or even an alligator--to shopping carts reminded me of Wilmington, North Carolina's Nan Graham and her recollections, which were aired on public radio before written publication. Other than the occasional too-particular delving into family personality quirks (although I couldn't get enough stories about Granny Pinky), the tones and targets of this collection are finely calculated for reader appeal. A "thumbs up" on this little book for readers looking for some cheering summer fare, and my genuine encouragement for Ann to bring us more laughs soon.

I love Ann Ipock's book, "Life is Short, But It's Wide, in the Southern State of Reality." It is so real and Ann has a way of telling a story that keeps you in stitches as you see these same things happening to you. She can always find humor in any situation, no matter how difficult it may be.Keep on writing, Ann--I can't wait to read your next book!!!

Ann Ipock's Life is Short, But It's Wide is a book filled with warm humor to be savored a few essays at a time. It elicits smiles, giggles and occasional cackles.