As someone who enjoys Parks & Rec and appreciated Amy Poehler's "Yes, Please," I was looking forward to reading "Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living" by Nick Offerman, the actor behind the beloved Ron Swanson character.
However, I must admit that in the first hour of listening to the audiobook, Offerman's approach disappointed me. It felt like he was delivering a lengthy lecture, with topics ranging from his support for organic foods to his love for meat, and even his dismissive attitude towards religion, urging people to keep their fictional stories to themselves. The overall tone came across as condescending, as if he assumed the listener should already know these things without question.
Perhaps I would have been more forgiving if the book had managed to inject some humor into the mix. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case so far, and I'm growing increasingly impatient.
I'm pretty bummed to admit this, but I think I want a refund for this audiobook. It's a shame, really, because I'm a big fan of Nick Offerman's portrayal of Ron Swanson in "Parks and Recreation." However, I found this book to be excessively preachy. You know what I mean? The shock factor wears off after a while, and in my humble opinion, it comes off as a bit arrogant. It's a bummer, but I'll still enjoy watching Offerman in the show. I just can't bring myself to finish the book.
This book is absolutely amazing. I'm definitely going to give it another go and listen to it again. I can honestly say that I haven't laughed this much in my entire life. I'm really grateful that Nick decided to narrate the book himself.
I'm a massive fan of Nick Offerman and absolutely adore the character of Ron Swanson, whom I consider the love of my life. As some other reviewers have mentioned, there are moments in the book where it can come across as a little preachy, and I must admit that there were times when I found this irritating and didn't really feel like continuing to listen. However, these preachy moments don't appear until much later in the book. The saving grace of this audiobook, and what sets it apart from the print version, is the opportunity to hear Offerman sing; this is an experience I would have missed out on if I had only read the book. Overall, it's a worthwhile listen as long as you can overlook the preachy parts.
I was completely engrossed in this audiobook, listening to it all at once because I just couldn't tear myself away. One of the reasons for that is Nick Offerman's captivating voice, but also because I was genuinely intrigued by what he had to share. He's an intriguing individual who genuinely adores his life.
I highly suggest giving it a go. While many individuals were hoping for a book written by Ron Swanson, I personally prefer this one. It possesses a special charm and wisdom that wouldn't exist if it solely focused on meat and scotch.
Loading...
7 comments
Or use one of these social networks