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Assume the Worst
Assume the Worst: The Graduation Speech You'll Never Hear | Carl Hiaasen
11 posts | 14 read | 16 to read
This is Oh, the Places You'll Never Go--the ultimate hilarious, cynical, but absolutely realistic view of a college graduate's future. And what he or she can or can't do about it. "This commencement address will never be given, because graduation speakers are supposed to offer encouragement and inspiration. That's not what you need. You need a warning." So begins Carl Hiaasen's attempt to prepare young men and women for their future. And who better to warn them about their precarious paths forward than Carl Hiaasen? The answer, after reading Assume the Worst, is: Nobody. And who better to illustrate--and with those illustrations, expand upon and cement Hiaasen's cynical point of view--than Roz Chast, best-selling author/illustrator and National Book Award winner? The answer again is easy: Nobody. Following the format of Anna Quindlen's commencement address (Being Perfect) and George Saunders's commencement address (Congratulations, by the way), the collaboration of Hiaasen and Chast might look typical from the outside, but inside it is anything but. This book is bound to be a classic, sold year after year come graduation time. Although it's also a good gift for anyone starting a job, getting married, or recently released from prison. Because it is not just funny. It is, in its own Hiaasen way, extremely wise and even hopeful. Well, it might not be full of hope, but there are certainly enough slivers of the stuff in there to more than keep us all going.
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Aimeesue
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It's hot and humid, so I'm having a Hiaasen Summer. 🌴🌴🐢🐍🐊🌴🌴

25 likes1 stack add
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Krisjericho
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Pickpick

“Yes, life is a shit blizzard. No, you‘re not all doomed.” Quick, funny, and honest, this fake commencement speech purports to be cynical, but is my kind of cynical - hopeful with common sense.

47 likes3 stack adds
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megnews
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Pickpick

Well I gave this a few brief moments of my time tonight and had a few laughs.
3.5 ⭐️

Book 101/165 3/21/19

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BookishMarginalia
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Lynnsoprano Love Hiassen! 6y
Gezemice I guess no people with crusty exteriors with a golden heart for Hiassen 6y
hermyknee ♥️ 6y
RealBooks4ever So true! This year I said goodbye to a "friend" who never showed his true self. Gave him the boot! ? 6y
127 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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BookishMarginalia
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A little light reading while waiting for @WanderingBookaneer

110 likes1 stack add
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WanderingBookaneer
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BookBabe I am not good at napping 😭 6y
rabbitprincess @BookBabe Me neither! I would love it if naps worked for me, but they don't ☹️ 6y
Soubhiville I love naps! 6y
Shvonne I only take naps if I really have to. 6y
80 likes4 comments
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Twinred
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Funny quick read about the commencement address that never will be given.

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Jen2
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Pickpick

Love this dude!!!

IamIamIam I never even heard of this book!!! 6y
Chrissyreadit Love the mug! 6y
HOTPock3tt 😁 6y
Jen2 Found it by chance on Libby. He cracks me up! 6y
143 likes1 stack add4 comments
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jillrhudy
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Pickpick

A quick, hilarious, little bonbon of a read, illustrated by the brilliant Roz Chast. #humor #advice

13 likes2 stack adds
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RedGypsy
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Pickpick

This book is spot on! DO give this to a graduate that you love! "Yes, life is a shit blizzard." I'm telling you this book is filled with practical advice. They've heard all the positive, uplifting crap. Now let them read this!

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MisterWhitaker
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This should be A FUN read

britt_brooke 😆 7y
theresidentromantic Third comment attempt is the charm! Stupid auto correct. Carl Hiaasen is the best ❤ 7y
PerksOfBeingABookworm Shit blizzard sounds so disgusting 😂 7y
See All 6 Comments
MisterWhitaker @theresidentromantic never even heard of him before but this was too amazing to pass up 7y
MisterWhitaker @PerksOfBeingABookworm ha! Yes. Yes it does. 7y
theresidentromantic @MisterWhitaker He's known for his satires, but you might actually know him best as the writer of Hoot. It's a middle school book, won the Newberry medal. Enjoy! 7y
38 likes2 stack adds6 comments