Quietly Hostile

Samantha Irby is one of my favourite essayists and this book did not disappoint. She made me snort-laugh at some point I’m pretty much every chapter, and I had a blast reading it. I particularly enjoyed the essays reflecting on Sex and the City and how to get along with cool teens. She is a gem.

Sharply funny, no holds barred, self-deprecating essays from Samantha Irby, writer, comedian and sometimes script writer on Sex and The City. Irby is brutally funny about growing up in poverty and the difference between her world view and those who have been raised with privilege. She writes with razor sharp clarity about her debilitating illnesses in a way that is engaging and with very little self pity, which is a feat, given what she has suffered. I enjoyed every single one of these essays, even the one about SATC, which is a show I watched twice and gave up on because it had absolutely nothing to say to me, and to make me keep reading there is nothing short of a miracle. Wildly enjoyable. I am now off to find all her other books.

I squealed with joy when I received my ACR copy of Quietly Hostile. I love Samantha Irby's writing, her honesty and his she makes me cackle with delight and recognition.

Quietly Hostile doesn't disappoint. Over almost twenty essays, she covers a myriad of topics including the time she dated a man who wanted to pee on her, her love for Dave Matthews Band, nearly dying of anaphylactic shock, porn categories, how to look cool in front of teens and the time she nearly met Bill Clinton.

As any fan of Irby's will know, she has for years dealt with an IBS type condition. She doesn't shy away from describing in eye-watering detail what this entails for her personally (her constant monitoring of her food) and when in public (advice on how to deal with public toilet blocks).

I just love her writing - how sharp, funny and self-deprecating she is. I would definitely invite her to my party.

Available in July from Faber Books.

Samantha Irby's writing just really works for me. She's sharp and funny and has a perspective on the world that I can get on board with. I enjoy essay collection but few as much as hers. From an SATC deep dive to early pandemic woes to lesbian sex and so much in between. It all works for me. Great to pick up and get lost for a while.

Sam Irby is a gift from the 00s blogger boom that keeps giving. She is frank and hilarious. Quietly hostile perfectly illustrates how difficult it is sometimes to just be A Person Doing Things whilst managing your health, family career and email inbox. I really relate to it as an elder millennial myself. I honestly don't know how Irby writes so much and manages to keep it fresh but she does it every time.

Incredibly funny, Samantha has a sharp wit and a strong voice, and this essay collection is fantastic. There are a few stand-out essays - “What If I Died Like Elvis” particularly made me laugh out loud. I will definitely be reading whatever she publishes next.

Hilarious and disturbingly relatable. An unflinching, no-holds-barred collection of essays on a variety of subjects from allergic reactions to sex and the city. A thoroughly clean enjoyable read but not for the easily shocked.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this hilarious book.

Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby is a hilarious and unapologetic collection of essays that explore the author's experiences with everything from anxiety and depression to dating and friendship. Irby's writing is raw, witty, and refreshingly honest, and she has a talent for turning even the most mundane moments into laugh-out-loud comedy.

One of the strengths of Quietly Hostile is Irby's ability to create a sense of intimacy with her readers. Her writing is both candid and vulnerable, and she is not afraid to share her most embarrassing or vulnerable moments with her audience. This creates a sense of connection between the reader and the author that is both powerful and engaging.

Another strength of the book is its exploration of themes such as mental health, race, and sexuality. Irby's essays are both insightful and thought-provoking, and she uses her own experiences to shed light on larger social and cultural issues.

While Quietly Hostile is a work of nonfiction, it also reads like a novel, with each essay building on the last to create a larger portrait of the author's life and experiences. Irby's writing is both witty and poignant, and she has a talent for turning even the most painful moments into something that is both hilarious and relatable.

Quietly Hostile is a stunning collection of essays that is sure to appeal to readers who are looking for a funny and engaging read. Irby's writing is both hilarious and insightful, and her essays are both timeless and timely. It is a book that deserves to be read and celebrated for its honesty, sensitivity, and wit.