Harriet Klausner's Review Archive
I'D RATHER LAUGH is a self-help book without the trappings of torture necessary to be labeled as part of the genre. Instead, Linda Richman encourages laughter as the best medicine when tragedy strikes as will happen to everyone at some time in their life. Ms. Richman provides amusing anecdotes (her mother at Bingo reminds me of my mother-in-law who recently passed away). Other reactions to anguish that Ms. Richman has done are similar to what many people have done to pass time and simply cope with negative punches. Cleaning and reorganizing things are a way of life for the depressed during a depressing moment.
This book is worth reading not just when "life has other plans for you", but in everyday situations. Ms. Richman swears by humor to make it through the darkest day. I fully agree. When my mother-in-law died, her three sons, who still love her dearly, told amusing tales about her antics. Those jocular moments were not disrespectful, but a way of remembering a cherished person who is missed but will always be fondly thought of.