Rating: 
Summary: Fantabulous
Review: I got this book for Christmas, and I read it in 1 day. I simply couldn't put it down. Since reading it, however, I have experienced some rather strange side effects, the most dangerous of which involves the blurting out of random Franian quotes on innocent bystanders. However, reading the book is well worth the risk involved. Fran Lebowitz is the most intelligent writer alive today. Too bad she isn't also the most prolific. Where are you, Fran? We want more!
Rating: 
Summary: LANDLORDS, URBAN OLYMPICS, er, CB RADIOS, MOOD RINGS, etc
Review: Look, anyone who can proclaim that their idea of exercise is having to light their own cigarette has got my vote.There are some brilliant pieces in here, but there is no question that they were of a time. The selections from Metropolitan Life work best for me; they are, as one would've said in '70s Manhattan, "a stitch". Still, I can't imagine even a modern new yorker not being able to identify greatly with some of these insights and witticisms. Kind of like the movie Arthur, it evokes a different time but you'll still be able to recognize all the people and feelings. And it's damn, damn funny. As another reviewer begged, come back Fran, we need to read what you have to say about today's anti-smoking, anti-dancing, anti-livable, post-Giuliani town.
Rating: 
Summary: Over-rated
Review: No writer has gotten more mileage out of so little writing since J.D. Salinger. And Salinger at least produced some memorable fiction, and his books sell year after year, and are taught in schools. Lebowitz's stuff is basically humour pieces. And she has produced in her multi-decade career what Dave Berry produces in six months. She does not warrant the acclaim she has recieved. She admits she finds it very difficult to write. She said, "When I sit down to write, I get stage fright like people would get on a TV show. When I'm on TV, I'm as calm as can be." And she said if it was as easy to write as it was to talk, she'd have written tons. But in my opinion, her interviews I've read have been far wittier than the pieces she's written. So my advice to Fran would be to hang up the pen, and just dictate everything into a tape machine. You'd produce more, and with better results. (Her recent "Vanity Fair" "articles" are really just interviews, and they're great, so that's a start). Nonetheless, if your expectations aren't too high, there are some amusing pieces to be found in this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Yuck!
Review: Oh geez -- Fran is not funny. Lots of sarcasm, but no whit. Now I know why we don't see much of her. This is though a wonderful nostalgic look back at one of the self-annointed celebrity-bohemians of the 60's and 70's. The "cool" writers who loved to name-drop; and sponge free eats, weekends in the Hamptons, and limo rides, off those with money and social status - while proclaiming their elitist snobbery of those same benefactors. I guess both fed off each other. The hipsters got ideas for their mocking articles, while the socialites got a real 'New York writer' to adorn their parties. ("Isn't she funny - and cute?!"). I think if you're looking for some good social commentary with talent of that era -- seek out material of Mort Sahl, or at least a Jean Shepard. I had high expectations, but this book is dull and boring. What's all the ballyhoo about? She wasn't funny when I lived in New York, and she ain't funny out here in the sticks either.
Rating:
Summary: Fran is the President of her own fan club
Review: She aspires to be a wit and satirist on the level of Oscar Wilde and Dorothy Parker. She is not. She is not witty, astute or pithy. Save your money and your time.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: Since the first time I read her witty, sarcastic writings years ago, I've been a loyal fan of Fran Lebowitz. She is amazing, but moreso for city dwellers, especially New Yorkers. It seems that those who criticize her are the hicks or suburbians.
Rating:
Summary: Boring!
Review: The book's cover photo says it all...one picture is worth a thousand zzzzzzzzz's.
Rating:
Summary: No connect whatsoever!!
Review: This book is a feeble attempt to promote a philosophy that is contradictory to conventional judaeo-Christian values and tenets upon which this country was founded. The author has the brazen supremist attitude that her beliefs must be imposed upon other more rational Gof-feaing Americans. If she is unhappy with the progress and direction the country is taking she should buy a one way ticket back to he homeland. This country was built upon the idea that we are blessed compared to all other countries. The measures she is promoting we introduce into our society are in opposition to the views and ideals shared by the majority of the citizens of this country. She argues that we abandon our values and replace them with her heretical beliefs and standards. What a self-centered, empty person who is bereft of any sense of values. This book wreaks of a disconnect with the sensibilties of what made our country a model for all others.
Rating:
Summary: America from North Carolina is an idiot.
Review: This book is great; witty, urbane and sophisticated. One would hope that the President of the United States would have the power to make an extemporaneous speech. Someone to whom is given the responsibility of our country should be able to use his language skills in a manner that is not continuously embarrassing to the country he represents. If you, America from North Carolina, don't believe that to be true you are a buffoon and deserve him.
Rating:
Summary: Why houseplants are bad
Review: This is actually a compilation of two of Lebowitz's books, Metropolitan Life and Social Studies. It is a mixture of pure humor and social commentary, with the emphasis on the commentary. While I found it pretty funny, I will admit that I didn't get all of the jokes, as she wrote in and about New York in the Seventies, so that it is both out of my region and before my time (what the heck is est anyway?) Another thing to bear in mind is that she uses a lot of stereotypes, especially about homosexuals, which could be found offensive. The best parts of the book are the ones where Lebowitz doesn't really have a point to make but just takes a topic and stretches and twists it to ridiculous proportions.
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