But Enough About You, by Christopher Buckley

Christopher Buckley long ago stepped out of the shadow of his father, the legendary William F. Buckley.  He has certainly earned his place as a brilliant writer on his own merits.  Besides his tremendously entertaining and humorous political novels, Christopher Buckley has written copiously for magazines such as The New Yorker, The Atlantic Monthly, Forbes FYI, and others.  Many of his magazine pieces have been collected in a newly published collection, But Enough About You: Essays.

The essays and articles herein run the gamut, include travel pieces, reviews and criticism, memoir, and goofy stuff he must have written just because he thought it would be fun.  In the latter category, we find histories of the bug zapper, hotel alarm clock, hotel minibar, and the lobster bib, among other things.  These pieces are intelligently funny, but got a bit tiresome.  They were my least favorite part of the book, yet I know I would have appreciated them much more in the original context, as the silly humor piece in an otherwise straightforward magazine.

OK, I'm done being critical.  This really is a great collection of essays.  The great thing about But Enough About You is that if one essay is not to your liking, surely the next one will suit you.  Buckley has had such a wide range of experiences, in his travels, writing career, political experience, and his circle of friends, that it seems he has no end of interesting anecdotes.  His life is more interesting than most, and he writes movingly and brilliantly about it.  (And, I would add, humbly.  Even though he moves in elite circles, he does not come across as elitist.)

You just have to admire a writer who is as comfortable writing about a visit to Auschwitz or a tribute to Joseph Heller as he is writing about his imcompetence as a ski instructor for his 7-year-old son, or a fake questionnaire for vice presidential candidates.  Even more, he writes effectively about both. I am in full agreement with the dust jacket: "Reading these essays is the equivalent of being in the company of a tremendously witty and enlightening companion."  But Enough About You will have you alternatively laughing, thinking, and wanting to read more of Christopher Buckley.



Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

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