HOW I GOT TO BE PERFECT

by Jean Kerr ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 21, 1978

Poised behind the modest title are many of lean Kerr's brighter reconciliations, spry pieces previously published or newly conceived. The scenes shift chiefly between Manhattan and Larchmont but the purview is more extensive: marriage (""Unsafe at Any Speed""), out-of-town play tryouts, the perils of a size sixteen shopper, airplane anxieties, and the daily calamities of those children who defy both guidance and gravity (""Do you want to see me drink my milk without touching the glass with my hands?""). Associating freely, she chides Bergdorf Goodman for advertising ""a casual little go-everywhere frock @ $225,"" kicks the soap opera habit (""the only thing you can quit cold turkey is cold turkey""), and rues life as a critic's wife (""Boy! If that was a haunting, luminous performance. . .""). Also on the docket: insights from mother (""what I am looking for is a blessing that's not in disguise""), memories of a Catholic girlhood (""Oh, Grayshus Queen of Heaven, we haste to-oo crown thee-ee now""), and parodies of Lolita and Francoise Sagan (""Banal and I were classmates. Our eyes had met, our bodies had met, and then someone introduced us""). Some enterprising soul has given this lunacy an Index with entries like Critique of Pure Reason, Frosty the Snowman, and ""kill, urge to."" To that list, add Arch, Snappy, and Kerr, Best of.

Pub Date: July 21, 1978

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Doubleday

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 1, 1978

Categories: NONFICTION