The Double Life Is Twice as Good: Essays and Fiction

If you are a fan of Jonathan Ames and appreciate his works, then this another great piece to add to your collection. It is an easy read that is both interesting and entertaining, so if you are considering this book, then you won't be disappointed.

Jonathan Ames's eighth book is another collection of essays and fiction. The centerpiece is "Bored to Death," a novella about an amateur detective (also named Jonathan Ames). It's an amusing piece of fiction that originally appeared in "McSweeney's"; it's also the basis for an HBO series, executive produced by Ames and starring Jason Schwartzman, that will debut this fall. "Bored to Death" is also the strongest entry in this book. Compared to past collections, "The Double Life" isn't twice as good; it's somewhat below average for Ames. It won't bore you to death, by any means, but several of his journalism pieces wear out their welcome here. Do we really need a 27-page adventure into New York's meatpacking district? How long does Ames need to hang out with Lenny Kravitz and Marilyn Manson to draw interesting portraits of the rockers? His fiction is more successful, and much more fun, than his non-fiction: He often uses his own life and experience as a basis. "Book Tour Diary", a fictionalized book tour diary (what else?) is a work of genius. The cover copy calls Ames "an edgier David Sedaris". A "weirder David Sedaris" might have been more appropriate. The level of self-deprecation can be off-putting at times. If you're new to Ames, you'll probably want to pick up one of his novels to see how the humor works for you. The Extra Man and Wake Up, Sir! are good places to start.