For anyone who grew up with a father who wasn’t the most politically correct, Sh*t My Dad Says is a must read. It will likely bring back memories of awkward teenage years and even more awkward discussions you had with your father about school, sports and relationships.
For anyone who isn’t familiar with the background of the book, the idea behind it started off as a Twitter feed. The feed had quotes by author Justin Halpern’s father, Sam. All were comical and most profanity-laden, and every quote was uttered by Halpern’s father. Needless to say, Halpern developed quite a following and his book and upcoming CBS sitcom are a direct result of Halpern publishing his father’s words of wisdom on Twitter for the world to enjoy.
I wondered how a writer could turn a Twitter feed into a book. I just couldn’t wrap my head around it until I read it. Basically, Halpern re-lives his entire life on the pages of this book. Included at the end of each chapter is a list of quotes by his father. Here are some examples of good quotes (keep in mind, these are just from the first 13 pages):
You are four years old. You have to shit in the toilet. This is not one of those negotiations where we’ll go back and forth and find a middle ground. This ends with you shitting in a toilet.
I don’t give a shit how it happened, the window is broken…Wait, why is there syrup everywhere? Okay, you know what? Now I give a shit how it happened. Let’s hear it.
Why would you throw a ball in someone’s face?…Huh. That’s a pretty good reason. Well I can’t do much about your teacher being pissed, but me and you are good.
Some people might find the book offensive, but to those of us who grew up with fathers who were rough around the edges, this book feels like home.
I can tell you that reading this book reminded me of what I now consider good times in my childhood hearing my father and my late Uncle Larry unintentionally one-up each other with the crazy quotes and what they thought were important words of wisdom when we’d be on road trips and family fish fries. As crazy as it sounds, those were good times and this book helps to bring you back to those simpler moments.
