This essay collection was a mixed bag for me. Many of the essays are dated at this point and a lot are infused with his goofy, Midwestern humor that doesn‘t resonate with me, even though I‘m from the Midwest. Amidst that humor, however, are profound insights into our culture and life in general. Where Saunders really shines, though, is when he writes about writing. I just wished there had been more of those essays in the collection. 3⭐️