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Judith Podell
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Blues for Beginners and Other Obsessions Paperback – November 1, 2001

by Judith Podell (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 13 ratings
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A collection of wildly humorous short stories by Judith Podell. Part of the Argonne House Press Chapbook Series. Edition limited to 500 numbered copies.
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  1. Print length
    64 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Argonne Hotel Press
  4. Publication date
    November 1, 2001
  5. ISBN-10
    1887641564
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1887641562
  7. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

In addition to the blues, Judith Podell's obsessions include cigarettes, psychoanalysis, sex, love, death, and cats. She is the funniest unknown woman writer in America (according to some of her friends) and the real author of "How To Sing The Blues", which is all over the internet but which first appeared in WordWrights Magazine in 1997. Her works has appeared in numerous publications, including The Village Voice, WordWrights, The Crescent Review, and The Washington Post. An excerpt from Blues for Beginners has been selected for the 2002 edition of Mirth of a Nation: The Best Contemporary Humor. The title selection has been nominated for a Pushcart Press Prize.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Argonne Hotel Press (November 1, 2001)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 64 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1887641564
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1887641562
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.4 ounces
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 13 ratings

About the author

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Judith Podell

Judith Podell

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Judith Podell is a fiction writer, book critic and lapsed lawyer. Her work has appeared in numerous publications, includingThe Village Voice, The Washington Post, Mademoiselle, The New Guard Review and the humor anthologies More Mirth and May Contain Nuts.

She has performed stand-up comedy in bars.

One bar, really, but it was in Ireland.

Visit her blog www.memphisearlene.com if you have a chance.

She lives in Washington, DC .

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
13 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Livingston
5.0 out of 5 stars Surprising and Funny
Reviewed in the United States on September 7, 2023
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This book is a lot of fun. I was never sure exactly where we were headed, which, in my opinion, is a great quality. The stories are hilarious and unique. A relaxing, satisfying read.
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Emmy
5.0 out of 5 stars Freud never said it was easy
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2017
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Blues for Beginners is Renata Adler's Speedboat ride with rocket assist. A man in the psychoanalyst's waiting room thinks it is Thursday. It isn't. But the narrator of these stories resets her watch. How can she make the most if what is left with what she has been given? Stories and obsessions are her path toward answers. Her journey is funny, touching, smart and candid. Every now and then joy happens. You've been warned.
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Francie Nolan
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2015
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I love this book. I love Ms. Podell's sense of humor. Sometimes the writing is laugh-out-loud hilarious. The rhythm is fantastic. I was touched by the poignant stories, too, that hit just the right note. She is a wonderful writer and I wish she had written another 200 pages - about anything really, but especially her life in New York. Even though this is a short-ish book, I would have paid more for it..
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Razberry Lady
5.0 out of 5 stars Blues For Beginners
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2013
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Author Judith Podell looks at the world just a little bit differently than the rest of us and the view is spectacular. Blues For Beginners is funny and provocative; and the writing is so smart; so beautifully sophisticated. This is the book you won't be able to put down until the very last page, and then, I promise you that you will be looking for one more chapter. More! More! More!
One person found this helpful
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Dr. Pepper
5.0 out of 5 stars Judith Podell is smart and funny
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2015
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Judith Podell is smart and funny, and so are her stories. For 99 cents, you can buy a lousy burger that is no more than two bites worth or end up with Blues for Beginners and meet Memphis Earlene and others who will keep you up late at night, laughing.
One person found this helpful
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Jesse's granddaughter
5.0 out of 5 stars Memphis Earlene a great comic character
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2013
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Judith Podell's title essay is a hilarious tribute to the Blues. She's a witty and insightful observer throughout the slim volume, but the title essay is a must read. My only regret is that the book doesn't contain more of her wonderful, strange drawings that can be seen on Podell's blog, [...]
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Anonymous
5.0 out of 5 stars Makes me laugh....
Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2018
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It makes me laugh when I’m depressed! A fellow traveler....😂
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Kate M
5.0 out of 5 stars Love Blues for Beginners
Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2013
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Judith Podell's stories are poignant, funny and written from the heart. It's like sharing memories over a glass of really nice wine with a new, best girlfriend. I laughed, I cried. I want to read more . . . .
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Top reviews from other countries

Elegsabiff
4.0 out of 5 stars Blues
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 6, 2013
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I started the book thinking it wasn't my usual type, but liking the quirky start. All the time I was reading it I was aware it wasn't my usual type of book, but I wolfed it down in 2 sittings so I guess I have a new type of book. I can't imagine any other book like it, though, I'd not be surprised to find it was unique. I do recommend it - one story made me cry, most were just interesting and new. Yes, recommended. I'd be interested to know what you thought.
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