Dating Big Bird: A Novel

Dating Big Bird features an annoying protagonist with a fierce desire to have a baby. Undoubtedly, this character would raise any child to be as whiny and useless as she is. Her preoccupation with the Pickle and Big Bird border on pathological. After detesting Animal Husbandry, I shouldnt have expected anything different from this book.

I cant say I was entirely shocked by some of the behavior recounted in this one. Rumors have been flying around for years of what was going down on that Childrens Television Workshop soundstage. Culled entirely from hypnosis confessions, several of Big Birds victims come forward and tell of their experiences at the hands of this madman. At this point, were all familiar with BBs quirks. Shame, lawsuits, and disease just seem to follow this guy around. Im a little tired of it, and a lot of the material is old news. The more famous stories werent interesting anymore. After all, weve heard them a million times. Who wants to hear again about Grover and that mule? Or how our protagonist got the nickname Birdy Sanchez? The really telling stories were of the lesser known episodes in BBs life. I, for one, didnt know he grew up in a jail brothel or that he lost his virginity to Marth Raye. (yes, he said he often called her The Big Mouth during) That lady was the Wynona Ryder of her day. Not many got away from her. (Hugh Downs and one other) I bet ole Martha Raye would put a hurtin on Bright Eyes. Shed tear that Kansan a new one alright! I felt a little sorry for the young ladies (and gentlemen) as they told of their hotel experiences with Bird. I have to admit though, I couldnt help but chuckle when Dottie M. said she actually fell for it when asked upstairs to see his Yella Fella!! I mean, jeezey pete, thats the oldest puppeteer trick in the book.

I found the language very offensive, gratuitously so in a way that did not move the plot forward. Specific to one minority, using slurs.

What a wierd book! Even before opening the cover you know its going to be... interesting... just by looking at the title. Its not what I expected at all. I figured it would be some really off the wall thing that wouldnt be good at all, but I was wrong. I wouldnt call it a piece of litterary genius or anything, but it was an amusing quick read. Ellens comedic trials with her Pickle, were funny and touching. The eccentric characters that she meets are indeed a little out there, but Im sure everyone could relate someone they knew in real life to these uncoventional friends. Although I took this book as a light comedy, it does touch on some serious issues. The whole subject of invetro fertilization itself is contriversial, and the acceptance from parents, family, and friends is a very real side effect when dealing with this issue. I thought that besides a good laugh, this book provided a glimpse into human behavior in situations that most of us wont ever have to face.

From the title of this book, I figured it would be a light summer read, just what I was looking for. After all, when The Pickle told Auntie La-La that Big Bird was just what the 35-year-old needed when she was lonely at night, I could relate. A three year old sometimes knows what is best for her! It was a mostly funny and sometimes poignant look at the old ticking clock theme with a totally fantasy ending. Ah! Just what we romantics need once in awhile to break up the monotony of all that cynicism.

I was looking for a book that was a bit lighter than my usual picks. I didnt know that this book was for the desperate to have a baby woman. I am 46 and have a nearly empty nest, and I just could not relate to the main character and even the writing could not keep me engaged.

This novel strived for a deep message but seemed to miss the mark, at least to me. I would suppose that it could be considered empowering, in a sense, but it had the same Hollywood fairytale ending they all do. It was a decent book, and I finished it in one night. I have nothing really bad to say about it, but its certainly not thought provoking literature or worthy of excessive praise. If you need a little escapism fluff to read on the beach or while waiting at the docs office, here it is.

Dear Big Bird , I love you and Mr. Dunphy

Ellen Frank is a 35 year-old woman who likens her reproductive system to a gumball machine, and the gumballs are running out. Having devoted most of her adult life to a career in the fast-paced yet shallow world of fashion, Ellen now finds a little voice telling her theyre just clothes more often than she is comfortable with. Moreover, she finds herself absolutely smitten with her 3 year old niece, whom she affectionately refers to as The Pickle. Ellen desperately longs for a Pickle of her own, but her Pickle-producing-profile is not promising. Malcolm, The man in her life is a compassionate and funny companion. The best one Ellens ever had. Except hes a Prozac-induced impotent. Oh yeah, and her doesnt want kids. His lifes is your basic tragedy: his only son died of leukemia, he became an alcoholic and his wife left him. Hes frozen, unable to escape the dark shadows of his past. And yet Ellen loves him.She just doesnt know if she can get a baby out of him. I had trouble putting down this funny, lively book. Zigman does a wonderful job navigating Ellens emotional roller coaster as she tries to determine how to become a mother, and who to include on her journey. It is a satisfying, feel-good read.

While this book is a quick read and can keep you somewhat entertained, its rather simplistic. I saw the movie Someone Like You, based on Zigmans first novel, Animal Husbandry and was glad I didnt read the book. I wasnt really impressed with the characters or the storyline. And Im not very impressed by the characters or the storyline in this new novel either. You may think its because of my male perspective, but I love romantic comedies. These, I dont. I can see Ashley Judd narrating this current story just like the previous one. And it doesnt make it any better. Anyway, this is a good read for you if you like simplism. And if you like that I just made up my own word (simplism) then youll love that Zigmans main character creates her own mind-numbing word, too. Just like creating a theory in Animal Husbandry. One more criticism before I go: the author spoonfeeds the readers with details that arent necessary and implied. For example, when the main characters boyfriend says something, we dont need an explanation of why he said it. We know why. Were familiar with his background. We get it. Just move on with the story. Sorry to be so negative. Its a great story if you dont care about what you read and dont have a lot of time to concentrate. Its quick and simple. Although so is microwaving meat, but you wouldnt pick that over a charbroiled steak, would you? :)