Thursday, September 13, 2007
Take the Cannoli by Sarah Vowell
From Library Journal
In this eclectic addition to the autobiographical literary genre, Vowell (Radio On: A Listener’s Diary) explains her journey from natural-born liberal to understanding the differences between herself and her conservative family. Her father is a gunsmith and partial to the Second Amendment. The best anecdotes in this book have been pilfered from her family, and she graciously acknowledges the debt. Her liberal use of pop culture serves as a touchstone throughout the collection. The most memorable essay, “What I See When I Look at the Face on the $20 Bill,” recounts a cross-country trip with her fraternal twin sister. They followed the Trail of Tears searching for their heritage and discovered their own constantly conflicting emotions. Many of these pieces were written for radio and lack depth, but Take the Cannoli is still a satisfying read.
