[.ca] Pearls in Vinegar: The Pillow Book of Heather Mallick (ISBN 0670044628)

Disappointing:
I look forward every Saturday to reading Heather Mallick's column(s) in the Globe and Mail, so I was really looking forward to reading "Pearls in Vinegar". I read a few lukewarm reveiws of the book in several newspapers, but since I knew that her humour is often divisive (love it/hate it), I didn't pay much attention to them. After I finally sat down to read the book this past weekend, however, I decided to go back and reread some of the more negative reviews of the book. I have to admit that I agree with these lukewarm reviews. Although I have always relished Heather Mallick's acerbic wit in her columns, I found that the humour in this book was frequently mean-spirited. Why have I never noticed how nasty she can be towards women (especially overweight women)? Why is she so fat-phobic in the first place? Why is it that anyone who disagrees with her or who challenges her beliefs is so snidely attacked (and the attacks are all the more cruel when she mentions, as she does ad nauseum, any weight issues these people might have)? There were a few times while reading this book that I laughed, but I have to admit that I spent most of the book feeling pretty glum. I have lost my appetite for Heather Mallick columns.

pearls of wisdom from Heather Mallick:
Heather Mallick's new book "Pearls in Vinegar: The Pillow Book of Heather Mallick" captures all the wit, wisdom, originality and fiestiness we've come to expect from her Saturday columns in the Globe and Mail. It's a joy to read. I found myself identifying with the absurdities of the world we find ourselves living in...feeling we were on the edge of doom on one page and touched by her humanity and passion on the next...I couldn't put it down. I hope there's more!

A few pointed remarks to get you laughing:
The thought blurbs she shares are so diverse and they will at times make you laugh and at times make you shudder with discomfort but they will always make you think. I loved this book.

What a joke!:
A pile of rubbish, just like her columns in the G & M. Canadian lefties will slaver over it because it appeals to their prejudices, but it's really of no worth whatsoever to anyone else. If you really want to sample Mallick as a "writer" wait a bit until this book hits the remainder bins - it probably won't be long. What a waste of trees!

From the West:
I wouldn't spend a dime on or a minute reading anything Mallick churns out. Just another Toronto lefty elitist is Mallick. We in the West are more in touch with reality. We are also much more conservative in our 'opinions' as in minding our own business and booting the Eastern establishment liberal governments out of our bedrooms and our lives, et al. Thanks, but No thanks to Mallick and all the rest of the socialist, angst-ridden, Canadian bleeding hearts from Quebec and Ontario!