I Shudder: And Other Reactions to Life, Death, and New Jersey

by: Paul Rudnick

Published by: Harper Collins

Reviewed by Lauren Segelbaum

Paul Rudnick is a celebrated playwright, screenwriter, and novelist. His plays include I Hate Hamlet, Jeffrey, The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told, and Valhalla, and his screenplays include In & Out, Sister Act, and Addams Family Values. He also writes regularly for The New Yorker.

This is what I know about him, and yet after reading this novel, I don’t know feel I know him any better. Mr. Rudnick is often compared to well-known humorists David Sedaris and Augusten Burroughs–but I can’t be part of that opinion. When I read David Sedaris for the first time this year I laughed out loud because the stories of his family were so funny. After reading Mr. Sedaris I felt I was let into his world through his words, stories and insights. I didn’t get the same reaction from I Shudder, and I didn’t gain the same insight in to Mr. Rudnick’s family as I did with Mr. Sedaris’ family.

The first chapter talks about a visit he receives from his mother and his aunts. I was instantly engaged because he brought the reader into his apartment with his family. I instantly fell in love with the characters he described. However, as I continued reading I wondered where those delightful family members went. I read chapter after chapter about parts of his life that weren’t as interesting.

Every two or three chapters Mr. Rudnick writes from a point of view titled, “An Excerpt from the Most Deeply Intimate and Personal Diary of One Elyot Vionnet.” Will someone please explain who this is? Did I miss something by not reading any of his previous works?

I was confused and not very entertained. I think this pretty much sums up how I feel about the whole book.

Armchair Interviews says: Heeds this reviewer’s comments.