Seriously...she's kidding

Ellen's latest book brings heartwarming humour

By Katie Noseworthy

Ellen Degeneres—comedian, talk show host, and dancing queen—has become one of the most beloved television personalities in the past decade. Degeneres's light-hearted demeanor has captured the attention of audiences worldwide. Her most recent book Seriously...I'm Kidding takes everything we love about Ellen and puts it on paper.

When reading the book, the first thing that is obvious is her writing style. Reading through the chapters of this book is like reading a dictation of one of Degeneres's monologues. In fact, you can hear her distinct voice while you read as she effectively expresses her dry wit and perfect comedic timing with the written word.

Degeneres also has a certain knack for addressing her audiences. The book is written like a letter to a friend, always including the reader in the progression of the stories, of which there are many.

It also never ceases to amaze just how real a person Degeneres is. Not only is she a celebrated celebrity, but she is also a genuine human being. The content of the book only furthers this with stories about moving, stories about her mother, funny imperfections about herself, her wife Portia's cooking, and more. Degeneres describes all of these average things with her own comedic spin.

Most of all, this book is the automatic cure for the blues. The chapters, while usually having some overarching theme, never fail to at least put a smile on the reader's face, if not causing outright bursts into laughter. The wit of her words makes Degeneres stand out as a comedian of any medium, a task that is challenging to even the best in the business.

One criticism of the book is the lack of developed personal stories. While Degeneres does include anecdotes of her life, it would have been nice to see her extend the stories beyond short descriptions. As an icon for many demographics, more detailed content surrounding her life story would be appreciated by her readers.

Overall, the book is a true form of entertainment. Although at times lacking in depth, the stories that are included are tinged with some greater meaning. The time spent reading the book is full of giggles and outbursts of laughter. Whether or not you find it funny or offensive, it doesn't matter. Seriously...she's kidding.

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