My Mother was Nuts by Penny Marshall

Synopsis: Career testimony of a famous American Hollywood Entertainer 

Writing Style: Direct. Humorous. Satire Galore!  

Pacing: Moderately Fast.

Personal Highlights: The opening won me over! I just knew I was delving into a memoir about to make my coveted favorites’ list for the year.

The satirical writing is beautiful…and of course funny. But then, as Penny’s story moves along I learn she was not only Laverne… as in ‘Laverne & Shirley’, but she is a movie producer, director…AND comedy writer! 

Favorites were her stories growing up; mom and grandparents on top. The plethora of stories increase the pacing and entertainment value. Those poems were nice inserts too, as like the photos. Mom’s tribute however, (towards the end) was most moving. She was a true treat to read. Only wished there’d been more stories about her, bringing me to the name-dropping. Like WoW! Small (heavy) world. Talk about knowing everybody! And yet, what really impressed me about this memoir was the same reason ‘Laverne & Shirley’ was so popular. No spoilers. It’s in the book…written between the lines.😉

Overall, this funny, witty memoir filled with dry humor, short chapters…and shorter sentences is a definite winner in my orb. Inserting here one of my favorite Scream Out Loud moments; The Louise Lasser/Mary Hartman bathroom scene. 😂hahaha!!! Very enjoyable and highly recommended. Read soft-copy (text)2012/(published)2024 edition.