This book is very dependent on the reader's sense of humor; seeing the cover and reading the blurbs, I expected it to be funny. On the contrary, I thought it was terribly sad; other people disagree with me. I never found it either amusing or inspiring. More of a cautionary tale to stay with me own middle class.

I once had someone ask me why I worked since I hated my job so much. When I mentioned food, clothing, and shelter, they looked astounded. People often seemed to assume that surely someone would support me if I decided to quit. I didn't have a husband, but surely my family . . . -- no, only while I was in the mental hospital getting it through my head that adults are self-supporting.

So while I can see that Rouse could do with some more moral courage, dignity and truth have to weighed against the reality of bills, and the fear of jumping into a new, and possibly no better situation. Some people find that easy, the rest of us accept some suffering. And of course, a woman that I know who changed jobs frequently found out that it weighed against her in later life.

I never thought that The Great Gatsby was the great American novel. I kept thinking about it as I read this book. It is supposed to be about "us," but I see it as being about "them," the social class to which Daisy belongs and Gatsby has worked his way into, the class of the mean mommies of "Tate," people I don't know, and don't want to. ( )

I read an essay by Rouse on-line that was hysterical, this book.... not so much. Too many bad metaphors. ( )

I thought this would be a guilty pleasure, a fun portrait of the rich women who make the lives of the little people miserable. Instead, or actually in addition to that, I found a well-written memoir. Rouse was a closeted gay man working at an exclusive prep school at the start of the book. The journey he takes is memorable. ( )

I have to confess to a weakness for school-based novels so I probably enjoyed this more than I should have. On the other hand, the writing was good enough to keep me interested. I also believe the story was probably based on real life; nothing that happened hasn't already happened in real life. Private schools, helicopter parents, and scheming to attain Ivy League acceptances are all that's important to a certain class of people. Interesting, quick reading. ( )

Personally, I really enjoyed this book. Wade Rouse is a hilarious author, and he writes about a time in his life where he was doing something that he was great at (PR at a Prep School) by sacrificing one very important thing (his dignity). I've seen mothers like this, and I thought it was a very honest and entertaining portrayal. Luckily for him, it seems like this was his big turning point that led him to his next experience in life, moving to the country with his partner (At Least in the City Someone Would Hear me Scream). Can't wait for more books by this author. ( )