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In her early forties, Jancee Dunn began to wonder why she still felt like a 13-year-old around her family. Talking to her friends, she found the same was true for them—despite successful jobs, marriages, and families of their own. Do we ever really grow up, she wonders? Why is the slow, sticky process of prying ourselves free from our parents and childhoods so difficult?
In Why Is My Mother Getting a Tattoo?, Dunn examines the phenomenon, with scenes ranging from a "haunted Savannah" tour gone wrong to a visit to a tattoo parlor with her sixty-ish mother, who is dying to get a raven inked on her wrist.
Finally, Dunn and her sisters arrange a visit to the house where they grew up, a bittersweet but comic experience that answers her questions and puts her at peace with her parents—until the next tattoo parlor visit, at least.
"I want Jancee Dunn to make me a pie. Actually, I want to sit around and listen to her entire family argue about what type of pie. Such is the extreme charm of her world. No matter the subject, Dunn's gimlet eye for all of life’s minor infractions and daily quirks is superbly addictive."
—Sloane Crosley, I Was Told There'd Be Cake
The hysterical debut novel from former Rolling Stone writer Jancee Dunn features the humor of Laurie Notaro or Merrill Markoe combined with the music-induced nostalgia of Rob Sheffield’s Love Is a Mix Tape.
Lillian Curtis, a 30-something New York City television producer, finds her past and present colliding when she moves back in with her parents, where time seems frozen in 1988 – in her room, there’s a Rick Springfield tape on her dresser and Duran Duran posters hanging on the wall. Back in New Jersey after twenty years, she is forced to confront not only her 80’s nostalgia, but also all the people she thought she’d left behind – including her high school boyfriend.
"Steeped in 80s-era references (Rick Springfield cassettes, Duran Duran posters, and Anais Anais perfume, anyone?), the flashback elements of Lily's life are breezy, reliably tacky fun. But unexpected moments of tenderness...give the story heart."
—People
"Dunn's deft sense of pacing and her old-fashioned niceness make "Don't You Forget About Me" a breezy, entertaining summer read that never insults the reader's intelligence. This is a seemingly modest achievement that should not be underestimated."
—The Los Angeles Times
"In addition to being an impressive treasure trove of cultural references both high and (frequently) low, Jancee Dunn is also a tenderhearted novelist. DON'T YOU FORGET ABOUT ME is wistful,
graceful, and seriously funny.
—Meg Wolitzer, The Ten-Year Nap
One of the "top upcoming summer reads..."
—Daily Candy
When the girl next door lands a dream job interviewing celebrities and rock stars at Rolling Stone, the result is Almost Famous meets Working Girl: A hip and funny true story of the pleasures and perils of the red carpet.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"I loved this book from start to finish ... Jancee Dunn is a wonderful storyteller."
Curtis Sittenfield, author of Prep
"Jancee has "dunn" (pun intended) a spectacular job ... I am so proud to be a part of it.."
Dolly Parton
"Hilarious -- you won’t be able to keep from reading the whole thing."
Matthew Klam, author of Sam the Cat
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Just to let y'all know I'm going to be on the Satellite Sisters show again, on September 21st, 1:30 p.m. EST (that's a Thursday). Last time was an absolute hoot...
On an unrelated note, if you've ever dreamed of seeing your name on a cassette tape, as we all did in the 1980s, do check out this fab wesbite: http://www.says-it.com/cassette/
I suppose this nostalgia will be lost on 'kids today' but for those of a certain age (and you know who you are), it's great fun...
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Nice. The next step? Post a photo of this cassette all warped by the sun. Librarians can use it to warn patrons of what happens when they don't treat their checkout materials with care.
I'm reading your book right now, by the way. Talk about nostalgia.
Posted by: Neel Mehta | September 04, 2006 at 01:29 PM
Dear Jancee,
I am just a few books behind in my Fairmount Book Club reading selections. I fear I will be kicked out of the group soon to start a People Magazine group if I don't catch up. I am half way through your memoir and I am already mourning the night that I finish the book.
You have written the best book to read during the cold, dark days of February when most people need a good laugh! (I'm sure the book is equally as good in other less depressing months). I find myself smiling through situations that we have all had in our younger days. Of course, your working for Rolling Stone is more exciting than my working for Crain's Chicago Business. You can't compare interviewing Bono with a McDonald's franchisee.
Thanks for the sentimental laughs about growing up in New Jersey and your family life - it's nice to know that I am not the only person with eccentric family members.
Yours truly,
Lisa Parks
Chatham, NJ
Posted by: Lisa Parks | March 01, 2007 at 06:08 AM
Dear Jancee,
I have never, in my entire life, written a fan letter before (unless you count the time my mother made me write a condolence note to President Nixon when he resigned), but I just read But Enough About Me and had to write.
I couldn't stop laughing, even when I probably should have. I loved it---thanks for a really fun read.
Lauri
Posted by: Lauri Berkenkamp | March 02, 2007 at 02:14 PM
Just a quick note, I was inquiring about Spoons with name of Citronelle on them and your site came up. I also live in NJ, Quinton, and My Hometown was Citronelle Alabama. Great place to be from. Good luck
Posted by: clara | May 25, 2007 at 10:40 PM