Customer Reviews

The Cat That Could Open the Fridge: A Curmudgeon's Guide to Christmas Round Robin Letters

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Simon Hoggart hits the nail squarely on its head in this very funny assault on 'round robiners', as he calls those peculiar people who feel the need to bore the world with even the dullest news of themselves and their offspring.

Especially funny are some quite surreal extracts from the many round robins he has collected over the last few years: those where, for example, news of a close relative's death occupy less space than news of a holiday or recently acquired appliance.

I'd like to think that this book will shame all round robiners into desisting from their Pooteresque annual habit....but I doubt it.

I made a complete fool of myself in a London bookshop by reading this book: I laughed so hard I almost fell over. If, like me, you're infuriated every year by the fact that people really seem to think that the results of the dog's hernia surgery and Chloe's Grade 8 contrabassoon will interest their friends, you may fall over too. If you are a round-robiner, on the other hand, this might shame you into giving up or at least being less economical with the truth. Either way, it's a very good buy.

Recently, I heard a tale of someone sending one from her and her husband. He'd died since she wrote the newsletter, but she sent it anyway, mentioning his demise in a scribbled note at the bottom. These things are beyond parody, and well-done Simon Hoggart for showing them up for what they are. But having said they are beyond parody, "Noel & Ellen's Weird and Wonderful History of the Dreaded Christmas Newsletter" does a pretty good job, and is another barbed present to give to those who are not yet shamed enough!

"My neighbour's windchimes have been keeping me awake every night. I've asked them to do something about it but no reply. I now know the true meaning of hate."

Simon Hoggart's commentary is mildly amusing (though it has to be said, not up to his usual Parliamentary-sketch-standard) but what makes this book so wonderful are the copious extracts from real people's absurd Xmas round robins.

As always from this guy, a good read well written and one easy to pick up and hard to put down.

I already own this book and bought it for a friend. Brilliant, funny, clever and revealing. Such a shame that email and tweeting has killed the Christmas round robin.

Very happy to be able to buy a second copy of this book as it was a gift for a friend - cannot comment on content as I know it already but am certain the stories Simon Hoggart relates about Round Robin letters have to amuse all ( except those who insist on sending them !)

Many people write lousy letters. The premiss of this book is that they should stop trying, and join the lazy lot who cannot be bothered to write anything more on their Xmas cards than 'Love and best wishes, Maureen'.

Personally, I think everyone needs the encouragement to write better letters. I get fed up with receiving the 'Love and best wishes' variant of cards from people I haven't seen for years. All they seem to be implying is that someone in their family is still sufficiently alive to send the card, and yes, they would appreciate a card in return because they like to show them off. I'd rather hear news written badly, boastfully and photocopied than hear no news at all.

Hoggart has done a useful service in highlighting many of the more unintentionally amusing round-robin letters. But the message has to be that writers should raise their game -- not drop out completely.

I'm just about to read this book but it gets 5 stars from me already because round-robin Christmas letters are to me and many others, irritating beyond belief. I have been receiving two Christmas round-robins for many years. One is always just pure showing off - we are given the exact footage of the new wall in the very large garden that has been built along with the precise details of the expensive and tasteful floor tiles and new boiler in the also very large farmhouse kitchen. The other letter demonstrates to us a) how wonderful her children are b) how wonderful the entire family is and c) how wonderful the writer is. I can't agree that any form of writing, even boastful, is better than none - most of us are proud of our families and their achievements - and realising that, we don't bore the pants off our friends in this way. The writers obviously get much pleasure composing their round-robins. It's a pity they don't appreciate how they might be received. A few well chosen lines with your Christmas greeting will convey all you need - if anyone wants to know more they can write back and ask.