I wanted to read this book because the description I read lead me to believe it was going to be humorous. I was disappointed in this book and had a hard time staying interested in it.

Reviews on Amazon, Alibris, Barnes & Noble are under pen name toReadistoEscape

I experienced this book in much the same way I did Dave Eggers’ A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius. That is to say, I found the title and the blurb to be funny, charming, and self-mocking. But, as I got into the book, I grew quickly tired of the bantering tone and felt that there certainly did seem to be mocking, but not a reflective self-depreciating sort. Just mocking.

I really wanted to like this book because the title was appealing to me at this moment in my life, as I’m sure it will be to future readers. I guess I was looking more for a self-help type of book, but what I got was a sassy memoir that I sort of could relate to. I don’t think the author meant to come off as bitter and sarcastic as she does, but she is, after all, a Former New Yorker...and don’t get me wrong, I like a bitter and sarcastic book as much as the next person, but I just wasn’t feeling her vibe. Perhaps because she looked at moving away from NY as a failure instead of a new adventure, or maybe I just started getting sick of her many tangents that didn’t necessarily add to anything she was retelling. All I know is that I really wanted to like the book, but I was left with a feeling of melancholy and indifference when I finished. Did I learn anything new? Just that I would’ve never survived as a New Yorker!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

I was excited to read this book because the blurb sounded funny and relatable, and because I’m on the verge of a big move myself. The book starts out rough, to the point where I wasn’t sure whether it was intended as a humorous extended essay or a sarcastic self help book, or maybe some mixture of both. The author’s voice throughout the book is unlikeable, grating, and surprisingly not relatable. I say surprisingly because the half of the book’s premise (making it in the big city) is a common trope.

The author relies heavily on what is intended to be ironic “modern” speech, a device that she can’t quite pull off satisfactorily. Like your sassy, kinda mean friend who ironically calls you Bitch when she invites you to that new brunch spot.

I appreciated the author’s attempts at writing through unexpected change, but couldn’t understand why she insisted on saying that she was moving because her family had “failed” to make it in the big city. And implores the reader to ask themselves if and how they have failed to make it in their current situation. Even under the guise of a satirical self-help book, why pound so heavily on the idea of failure? She also touches on the idea of finding the place that matches your identity, but muddles this into the talk of failing.

I wanted to like this book more, but I think it missed the mark.

The author is a Wisconsin native, who moved to New York City. There she married, had two children, and spent a long, mostly happy time there. It was upon her children entering school age that she discovered the difficulties (admissions, financial, distances) of raising them in an ultra-competitive environment. Clune was fortunate enough to have the means to return to Wisconsin to be close to her family, even if she took a large financial hit.
That's the gist of the first part of the book. It's a little slow going at first, but, boy, does it get moving after that! As someone who was also born in Wisconsin, attended university in the city the author lives (Madison), and moved away to live in many different places (East Coast, Midwest, and West Coast), she nails the Wisconsin experience to a T!
Clune describes the four phases of culture shock: Honeymoon, Judgement, Adjustment, and Mastery. I could relate to each of the phases, and laughed my head off at her depictions of them. There is a lot of helpful advice for people here, not only for those moving to Wisconsin, but for anyone moving anywhere new and different.
Please allow me to hit just a few of the quirks the author pointed out that had my wife and I laughing about Wisconsin.
- TMI - no matter where you move, the people who live there will be annoyed to hear about how great other places are.
- Snarky comments - not appreciated in Wisconsin
- The use of the work "f**k". - ditto
- The use of the words "I'm sorry" to convey anger and displeasure
- Food - a HUGE thing! Especially dairy.
- Wisconsin Dells - you have to read the book to understand...I don't want to ruin it for you!
- Dress Code - "Badger-wear" (sporty red and white clothing advertising the local team) appears everywhere, and is even accepted as classy in fine-dining establishments. I would also add anything relating to the Green Bay Packers.
- Alcohol - in most places, when men become drunk and verbally abusive, it's called alcoholism....in Wisconsin it's called a hockey game.
- Roadkill, mole people, and religion.
There's so much fun in this book. Although, I wonder if the author will find that the people in her new hometown may not appreciate much of it! I hope so.
Highly recommend this book to make you smile!

This book rambled a bit, and was all over the place. I wanted to like it!
Thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book. While I got the book for free, it had no bearing on the rating I gave it.