Rating: 
Summary: Why bother anymore with that cloying elf?
Review: ...and his fatuous harpy of a sister...This guy has pulled eight sheeps of wool over way too many eyes. Let's take him, Eggers, Squeaky Vowell, Frangenides, and all the other ersatz nutz (a phrase which might inspire peals of squeals and subsequent chapters for any of these Supersponges) and write them out of their own self-suckling fables. This is Seinfeld without the neuroses, Pynchon without the mystery, Modernism without the resonance or wit...just a mess of weak minds and quirks masquerading as Personality.
Rating:
Summary: Why bother anymore with that cloying elf?
Review: ...and his fatuous harpy of a sister...This guy has pulled eight sheeps of wool over way too many eyes. Let's take him, Eggers, Squeaky Vowell, Frangenides, and all the other ersatz nutz (a phrase which might inspire peals of squeals and subsequent chapters for any of these Supersponges) and write them out of their own self-suckling fables. This is Seinfeld without the neuroses, Pynchon without the mystery, Modernism without the resonance or wit...just a mess of weak minds and quirks masquerading as Personality.
Rating: 
Summary: Wacky fun!!
Review: As with some of the other reviewers, I pre-ordered THE BOOK OF LIZ quite a long time ago and was somewhat surprised by how short and insubstantial it is (although at that price, I shouldn't have been surprised). However, I was ultimately satisfied with my purchase. The play chronicles a very sweaty and naive Squeamish sister (an obvious play on the Amish) who decides to leave her job making cheeseballs and venture out into the real world. No, I'm not kidding! It should be noted that the play lists Amy Sedaris as the first author, and it definitely reflects her humor more than David's humor. It's kind of a tame variation of her show, "Strangers With Candy." The play is different and fun, and it gave me a few chuckles. Not bad for such a short and inexpensive play.
Rating:
Summary: Reads for the stage--still hysterical
Review: Being a huge "Talent Family" fan, I was excited to see that they had joined forces and written a play. I can understand that if you are used to reading David's books, this might be a different read for some individuals. I was asked by a local theatre producer to search for some new material for possible productions for a season, so that's why I checked it out. I found it hysterical--of course, I was looking at it from a staging point of view. The fact that it is only 50 (+/-) pages makes it "perfect" for a short play--meaning it would run right around an hour to an hour and a half. I guess if you read plays on a regular basis, you will find it enjoyable like I did. If you're used to reading novels or short stories (especially the ones that David is famous for), and play reading isn't your cup or tea, it might not be as entertaining to you. But, you could do much, much worse for your money. I rate it highly.
Rating:
Summary: Reads for the stage--still hysterical
Review: Being a huge "Talent Family" fan, I was excited to see that they had joined forces and written a play. I can understand that if you are used to reading David's books, this might be a different read for some individuals. I was asked by a local theatre producer to search for some new material for possible productions for a season, so that's why I checked it out. I found it hysterical--of course, I was looking at it from a staging point of view. The fact that it is only 50 (+/-) pages makes it "perfect" for a short play--meaning it would run right around an hour to an hour and a half. I guess if you read plays on a regular basis, you will find it enjoyable like I did. If you're used to reading novels or short stories (especially the ones that David is famous for), and play reading isn't your cup or tea, it might not be as entertaining to you. But, you could do much, much worse for your money. I rate it highly.
Rating: 
Summary: Better onstage? (potential spoiler)
Review: From the moment you know the main character is a sweaty nun (well, sort of) who makes unique cheeseballs, well, come on! What do *YOU* think is gonna happen?There are some Sedaresque observational turns that are worthwhile: AA members staffing an IHOP equivalent, an all-too-short interlude with a Mr. Peanut-wearing couple from Eastern Europe... Perhaps onstage, with the aid of a talented comic to interlace these tidbits with some kind of physical running gag, well, it would all be worth it. But I guess it really isn't.
Rating:
Summary: Better onstage? (potential spoiler)
Review: From the moment you know the main character is a sweaty nun (well, sort of) who makes unique cheeseballs, well, come on! What do *YOU* think is gonna happen? There are some Sedaresque observational turns that are worthwhile: AA members staffing an IHOP equivalent, an all-too-short interlude with a Mr. Peanut-wearing couple from Eastern Europe... Perhaps onstage, with the aid of a talented comic to interlace these tidbits with some kind of physical running gag, well, it would all be worth it. But I guess it really isn't.
Rating:
Summary: Laughed so hard I cried
Review: I also saw this play performed and thought it was the funniest live theater I've ever seen. Though I agree that when reading a play you lose a lot (the energy of the performers and the audience reactions) I still think this one is worth having in your collection if you are a fan of either Sedaris.
Rating:
Summary: Apparently I'm the only one who SAW the play
Review: I have read all the luke-warm reviews this book has gotten. The only thing I can say is that if you're a fan of Amy's you'll love it. If you're more of a David fan, you might be dissapointed. I saw the play in New York during its run, and laughed so hard I cried. Sure, Amy did the buck-tooth Jerri Blank bit, but seeing as how I LOVE Jerri, I LOVED the play. Jackie Hoffman (currently in "Hairspray" on Broadway) and David Rakoff (read "Fraud" if you like David's books) were absolutely wonderful. I was lucky enough to meet Amy after the play, and buy one of her cupcakes. She was delightful. Reading plays (or screenplays for that matter) has never really interested me. Unless you've seen the play or movie, it just isn't quite the same. But I will treasure this book as a permanent reminder of the wonderful week I spent in NY, the highlight of which was "The Book of Liz." And Amy, if you ever read these things, thank you for the awesome time.
Rating:
Summary: nice and cheesy
Review: Sister Elizabeth Donderdock is unappreciated in her Squeamish township. (So as not to offend the Amish, the Sedarises replaced the "A" with "Squea". I'm sure no one suspects.) She is the only person who has the secret touch it takes to make the famous Squeamish cheese balls, but the town doesn't realize how important she is until she disappears. Although not David's best work, this play is a lot of fun to read and features a lot of good-natured silliness. On the otherhand, it appears difficult to stage. Make sure you have four good actors who can play male and female roles, Amish as well as alcoholic and can speak Ukranian.
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