Dirtbag Queen
by Andy Corren
You must sign in to see if this title is available for request. Sign In or Register Now
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date Jan 14 2025 | Archive Date Feb 14 2025
Talking about this book? Use #DirtbagQueen #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
“Because she was my mother, the death of zaftig good-time gal Renay Corren is newsworthy to me, and I treat it with the same respect and reverence she had for, well, nothing. A more disrespectful, trash talking woman was not to be found.”
So began Andy Corren's unforgettable obituary for his mother, Renay Mandel Corren, a tribute that went on to touch the hearts of millions around the globe. In his brief telling of the life and legend that was Renay, a “loud, filthy‑minded (and filthy‑mouthed) Jewish lady redneck who birthed six kids,” Andy captured only a slice of his loving and fabulously unconventional mother.
In this uproariously funny, deeply moving family portrait, readers meet the rest of his absurd clan: his brothers, affectionately nicknamed Asshole, Twin, and Rabbi; his one-eyed pirate queen of a sister, Cathy Sue; and then there’s Bonus, who Andy isn’t aware of until later in life since this mysterious oldest brother grew up at the Green Valley School for Emotionally Disturbed and Delinquent Children.
A story of love and forgiveness, as well as a celebration of a woman who was “great at dyeing her red roots, weekly manicures, filthy jokes, pier fishing, rolling joints and buying dirty magazines," Dirtbag Queen is an entertaining and poignant portrayal of the complex and heartfelt humanity that unites us all—especially family.
Advance Praise
"Fantastic. Utterly unhinged, hilarious, and unexpectedly heartbreaking.”
–#1 New York Times bestseller Jenny Lawson
“Dirtbag Queen is told with the kind of unyielding honesty, devastating humor and above all tender familial pride that makes a seemingly eccentric upbringing feel universal. You will not regret a moment you spend with this family—nor will you ever forget them.”
–Steven Rowley, New York Times Bestselling author of The Guncle
“Dirtbag Queen is so funny, smart and original that while I was reading Andy Corren's fantastic memoir I had to keep reminding myself that I didn't write it." –Alan Zweibel, Original SNL writer and Thurber Prize winning author of Laugh Lines: My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781538742228 |
| PRICE | $30.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 288 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Tyler B, Educator
Personal, hilarious, timely, Corren bring people to life and gives us a reason to love them. People I never met become by friends.
tina k, Librarian
Laugh even if you are down is one of the many resilience lessons Andy Corren clearly learned from his mom. Andy Corren's mother died; the obituary he wrote was so irreverent, funny, and ever so tender, that it went viral practically overnight. The story of growing up with his single mom and his five siblings forms the basis of this wild book, a tribute to the outsized character of Andy's adored mom who raised her children and lived her life hard, "the best way she knew how." You read this book written by her son and realize she must have done something right.
Wendi M, Reviewer
Fun and funny! I wasn’t sure that an obituary would be enough for a whole book, but it definitely was! I loved reading about Renay and really wish I could have met her. I feel we could have done a spa day together.
This was well written and knew when to pull the heartstrings or make you laugh.
Definitely recommend!
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.
Librarian 677596
This coming-of-age memoir follows Andy (Ann) Corren and his relationship with his mother, Renay, and the rest of his family. While Andy loves his mother, there are times when he doesn't like her, just like anyone else. It takes her death and his sweet eulogy to announce what she really meant to Andy. The bad and how Renay squeezed those lemons that life handed to her into lemonade.
Renay's larger-than-life persona shines as Andy shares a wonderful tale of traveling all over the USA and even to Japan. Everyone in his family has a nickname, except for his beloved mother, whom he adores and simply calls Renay. This memoir celebrates Renay's legacy: funny, bowling alley queen, and adversary for the Judith Krantz novels, and most of all, mother to Ann and his motley crew he calls his brothers. She will always be his Queen.
My favorite chapter in the book is, “The All Girl Gang.” May we all have one.
I thank NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Readers who liked this book also liked:
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Sci Fi & Fantasy
