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Rakoff’s essays are a mix of the personal—touching on being a Jew, being a writer, being gay—and reportorial. Think David Sedaris influenced by Malcolm Gladwell. The writer’s voice is unblinkingly honest, self-deprecating, scathing, funny, profane, heartfelt, and moral. His narration at first seems like a caricature of an urban gay voice. And while not immediately engaging, its dryness matches the book’s wit and its feline nature its catty asides. In short order, it’s clear that Rakoff’s excellent pacing and timing, his ability to be intimate in an intimate medium, his precision, remarkable expressiveness, and mastery of tone make this program a standout, a perfect match of written and spoken voices. No one else could read these entertaining pieces, nor would you want anyone else. W.M. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: OCTOBER 2010]