Lamentations of the Father

March 3, 2008
Accomplished social satirist Frazier's latest collection reminds us why the novelist and essayist is one of America's funniest living writers. The much-quoted title piece, originally published in the Atlantic Monthly
, gives voice to every parent's battle with table manners, bath time and various “laws, statutes and ordinances” concerning biting (don't), sand (not edible) and pets (not to be taped). Equally entertaining are Frazier's self-declared role as spokesman for crows, complete with slogan (“Crows: We Want to Be Your Only Bird™”) and his mock exposé on the truth behind history's most famous phrases. Caesar's “I came, I saw, I conquered” is, according to Frazier, simply an early example of mankind's obsession with the sound bite, a snappier version of: “I came, I saw, I conquered, I had a snack, I took a bath, and I went to bed, because I was exhausted.” A treat for Frazier fanatics and new readers alike, this compilation from the past 13 years has nary a misstep and begs to be read in one sitting. Researchers, Frazier says, have determined that life is too hard. But it's easier with Frazier at the helm.

October 2, 2000
Many readers will already be familiar with Ian Frazier's hilarious treatise Lamentations of the Father, which has been forwarded countless times on e-mail. Now, Westminster John Knox Press releases an illustrated version of Frazier's commandments to the sippy-cup generation, preserving the author's skillful appropriations of Deuteronomic language. ("Of the hoofed animals, broiled or ground into burgers, you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the cereal grains... and of all the cereals that are of bright color and unknown provenance you may eat, but not in the living room.") Frazier's creativity deserves more sophisticated art than is provided by illustrator Bruce Zick.