Maddox writes a short defense of this premise as an introduction to the book, arguing that children should be discouraged from drawing if they suck at it: “If a kid wants to impress me, he has to draw something awesome, just like an adult would. Kids don’t get a free pass just for being kids.” A problematic caveat arises when he actually pseudo-praises a drawing (“I can only infer that you want to eat your cat. Awesome.”) but still gives the kid an F. C’mon, Maddox.
His commentary ranges from straight-up mean (“Look, Emily, I’m not going to sugarcoat this: your entire family is retarded”) to just plain dumb (“I realized that this picture was upside down after I put it in the book and left it that way because it looks about the same right side up”) to cringingly vulgar (“This artist deserves a beer and a blow job, simultaneously”) to borderline misogynistic (“This is so boring it could make women miscarry”).
There are 43
sections. Standouts include “Bowls to Throw Up In,” “Unintentional
Hitler,” “Nice Boner!” and “Sexism, Drugs, AIDS and Crib Death.” Yup,
there’s a little something for everyone. So if you like the idea of an
adult providing abusive commentary on children’s innocent artwork, have
at it. If you have a killjoy relative who gets off on that sort of
thing, I Am Better Than Your Kids would be a great Christmas present.
GO: Maddox will speak at Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W. Burnside St., 228-4651. 7:30 pm Monday, Dec. 5. Free.
"borderline misogynistic "? You never read the Alphabet of Manliness, did you?
Couldn't rate it no stars so heres one *. Strange how each picture was submitted into him not just taken. Submitted in the knowledge it would be ridiculed. but i suppose there isn't any other people who use insults to create merriment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzV6fpSnkh0
I didn't think I'd ever see a bad review for this book. All the complaints you have are about him being mean? That's kind of the selling point of anything he writes or did you discover maddox recently and never visited his site? Seriously your complaints are retarded. I'm pretty sure you might be retarded.
I'm shocked you actually have a job as a writer. Perhaps this is not the correct occupation for you?
"Maddox spends 300 pages being an asshole."
You obviously have NO idea what makes Maddox so popular if you have to state this...I love Maddox because of his ability to be an asshole. If you don't like that, go read a Danielle Steel book...
Willy Week proves once again that there is no finer birdcage liner/puppy training pad available in portland...wtf let this hack get behind a computer?
I'm sure this wasn't your intent, but I was actually laughing out loud at the quotes in this article. This review missed the point in such a totally awesome way.
You do realize that this book isn't meant to be taken seriously, right? If you don't like it/are offended, don't read it. Problem solved.
looks like somebody got trolled.
LOL, no doubt. Apparently we have found at least one person in the world that has read the book and doesnt get the joke. Lighten up toots.
I suppose you came away from reading A Modest Proposal thinking Swift actually wanted you to eat babies then.
Good effort.
How are miscarriges borderline mysognistic?
Really now.
Because equal rights say that men and women are equal, therefore it is straight up sexist to claim only women can miscarry.
Fuck equal rights.
If women and men have "equal rights" then I should be able to punch a women just as I can a men, without getting put in jail. Fucking "equal rights" my ass.
You can. Unless you're beating your girlfriend/spouse, assault law draws no distinction between man-on-man and man-on-woman simple assault. You're going to jail either way, though. Punching people without their consent is illegal.
I guess that clarifies things. But you won't go to jail for punching a guy out, cause guys aren't pussies. XD
Jesus, I couldn't say it better myself. I tried. Believe me.
It's only for killjoy, yet this entire review is a constant whine that someone's humour is too mean. The entire book is one big joke and you've taken it, quite ridiculously, serious. Learn to take a joke.