If You Can't Say Something Nice

by Calvin Trillin

The nationally syndicated columnist offers a new collection of witticisms, including composing a motto for the Nebraska license plate and plotting the murder of a neighbor who talks about gutter maintenance.

Genres: Humor, Essays, Nonfiction

Hardcover

Published January 16, 1990

About the author

Calvin (Bud) Marshall Trillin is an American journalist, humorist, and novelist. He is best known for his humorous writings about food and eating, but he has also written much serious journalism, comic verse, and several books of fiction.

Trillin attended public schools in Kansas City and went on to Yale University, where he served as chairman of the Yale Daily News and became a member of Scroll and Key before graduating in 1957; he later served as a trustee of the university. After a stint in the U.S. Army, he worked as a reporter for Time magazine before joining the staff of The New Yorker in 1963. His reporting for The New Yorker on the racial integration of the University of Georgia was published in his first book, An Education in Georgia. He wrote the magazine's "U.S. Journal" series from 1967 to 1982, covering local events both serious and quirky throughout the United States.

Reviews

[Ron]

A collection of Trillin's short humorous essays from the mid-80s that he wrote for, I think, The Nation. Very droll, occasionally a nice little nip of anti-Reagan satire, lots of silliness, in a style that is a bit repetitive when read one after the other.
Read as a sleep aid in bed. Perfect format for that, nothing over 5 or 6 pages. Pleasant style, semi-amusing topics, a fine way to relax into sleep.;
I will remember how lucky he has been in getting gigs like this. Sure, he had to crank out something every week, a thousand words or so, but on any topic he wanted, and so what if he got into a kind of repetitive structural format. I think I picked this up downstairs at the apartment's lending library (repository for residents' unwanted books) and I think that is where I shall return it.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vintage Trillin, circa the mid 80's, comprised of his columns over several years. There is some very funny stuff here, particularly when placed in context of the era, but it becomes repetitive if read more than a few pieces at a time. (So I didn't, parceling the book out for several months.) The best bits made me downright envious. Trillin is one of a kind, deadpan at its best.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trillin writes about his family, his life, and events of the mid 1980's. While some of the latter have dated, others hold up surprisingly well. And it's difficult to summon the same degree of outrage that these essays originally elicited, which makes the humor shine more clearly.

[Valerie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I typically adore Trillin, but this collection isn't worth the paper it is printed on. Skip it in favor of more worthy titles.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

always droll and entertaining

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes funny, often interesting. Written in the 80s, but with some name substitutions, could have been written today.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short essays that display Calvin Trillin's sarcastic humor. Some of these were real "laugh-out-loud" essays. I enjoyed reading them. A fast read!

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Calvin Trillion book. Entertaining and quick read. Look forward to reading more by Trillion and there's a large selection to choose from.

[Mike Harper · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of four-page musings, many of which are very funny.