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Out of the Ordinary: True Tales from Everyday Craziness
by
Jon Ronson
A collection of Jon's "Guardian" features, reworked and with new material, with a common theme: the ways in which people get themselves into wholly irrational bubbles, within which all manner of lunacy makes perfect sense. In Jon's previous two books, "Them" and "The Men Who Stare at Goats," the nuttiness took place a long way from everyday life - on US military bases, or...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
January 3rd 2006
by Picador USA
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This book by John 'Men Who Stare at Goats' Ronson would have been much improved if the contents had matched the title. More than half of it consisted of Ronson's old columns, recycled, and most (if not all) of these columns consisted of Ronson's giving us the usual fall back of the desperate storyless journo - tales from everyday everyday. Articles about being a Dad, being a husband and occasionally about being a journalist. If there was something interesting or crazy about Ronson's life, I coul...more
The book is sectioned into different parts: the first is about Jon Ronson's take on life and his family's experiences.
There are some interesting insights into the modern dilemmas and problems parents face, but I found it hard to relate to a lot of the "problems" he has to deal with: private schools? Sorry my sympathies are waning immediately!
The other part of the book deals with his journalistic investigations and opportunities that are frankly beyond the norm.
The heart warming, if slightly dis...more
There are some interesting insights into the modern dilemmas and problems parents face, but I found it hard to relate to a lot of the "problems" he has to deal with: private schools? Sorry my sympathies are waning immediately!
The other part of the book deals with his journalistic investigations and opportunities that are frankly beyond the norm.
The heart warming, if slightly dis...more
My first 12 Books, 12 Months book DONE! Jon Ronson is one of my favorite authors, so when this book, printed only in the UK got sent to me I was so excited.
It was a bunch of short stories and, especially at the beginning, it was ALL stories about his kid & wife. As someone who usually hangs out & writes about terrorists, this was kind of a step down. There was a REALLY long story about some British pop singer who became a pedophile. I am sure if I had ever heard of this man, I might have...more
It was a bunch of short stories and, especially at the beginning, it was ALL stories about his kid & wife. As someone who usually hangs out & writes about terrorists, this was kind of a step down. There was a REALLY long story about some British pop singer who became a pedophile. I am sure if I had ever heard of this man, I might have...more
I am in a Jon Ronson phase of reading at the moment. I love the way he seeks out and pursues the quirky and the offbeat, observing and commenting on real-life characters through the prism of his own psyche. The result is both witty and revealing. This collection of his 'Guardian' columns has some fascinating gems, including a long piece on the misdoings and subsequent trial of pop impresario Jonathan King and the obsessive collecting habits of film director Stanley Kubrick. Every Jon Ronson arti...more
Nothing too memorable. The first half, which focuses on personal stories, made Ronson seem like an ineffective, self-centered wimp. I almost gave up because he was kind of annoying me. The second half, which was more typical journalism, was better. He showed an admirable perspective on the questionable characters he documents, thoughtful and as neutral as possible while still professionally admitting how they had affected him. A harmless enough read, but I won't be running out to read more from...more
Jon Ronson es uno de mis cronistas favoritos y este libro es una muy buena entrada para comenzar a leerlo. Out of the Ordinary es una serie de relatos que van desde historias cotidianas a las clásicas investigaciones de Ronson. Este libro contiene historias sobre gente que regala sus órganos, sectas, colegios elitistas del Londres céntrico y un texto que siguió de cerca al músico Jonathan King mientras ex fans lo acusaban por estupro. King, en medio de su locura esbozaba un muy buen punto: ¿A Mi...more
A sometimes amusing account of some of Jon Ronson's encounters over the last few decades. The stories about his family life were quite comical but I especially enjoyed the informative chapter on the Charles Ingram (millionaire cheat) case.
Really disappointed, just a collection of articles from his guardian column. No real conclusion about anything, other than his publishers ability to ride the wave the goat book!
read this a very time ago. from memory enjoyed it but hadn't got into Ronson's stylke of writing. didn't enjoy as much as psychopath test
Couldn't get into it. I normally love this author but I found myself being annoyed by him.
Steve accidentally bought two copies of this book... Will be passing the extra copy along...
Dec 18, 2009
Thando Mgqolozana
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
All those who've stopped taking themselves seriously
Recommended to Thando by:
Nobody, obviously.
You'd think he tells jokes, he does not; Jon Ronson is funny.
Thought I read it but the spine isn't cracked. Great surprise!
Entertaining book, easy to read and pretty darn funny in parts. Ronson is rarely less than charming. Kinda fluffy (and self-indulgent for that matter) but by no means a bad read, in the end.
A nice easy read about a variety of subjects that is often funny and thought provoking.
Jul 25, 2011
Paige Nick
added it
He's a particularly funny man. these are columns/short stories. looking forward to digging into a novel of his next.
Really enjoyed part II of the book where Jon Ronson does what he does best: analyzing weird events in a way that makes the readers ask questions that they never thought about before.
Skip part I where Jon Ronson confuses himself with David Sedaris. It was a painful read.
Skip part I where Jon Ronson confuses himself with David Sedaris. It was a painful read.
Jul 23, 2008
Ian Kavanagh
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Ian by:
The Author: I was at an event!
It's easy to dismiss Jon Ronson as another sardonic, slightly sneering commentator on the more peculiar members of society. In fact though there is something uniquely human about him and his commentary. He is also extremely funny. This book is highly readable. Not meaningful perhaps but highly enjoyable.
A very minor but enjoyable read. Half the book is about his life and while fun is not really essential. The articles in the second half on the coughing Who Wants to Be a Millionaire cheats and on Kubrick's home are fantastic though.
intersting and quirky insight to this British author
easy to read in chunks
easy to read in chunks
briliant book to make you laugh, blush and think in equal measures
i love jon ronson!! guardian- bring him back!!
May 17, 2013
Jay Robinson
marked it as to-read
May 16, 2013
Joe
marked it as to-read
May 15, 2013
Erica
marked it as to-read
May 13, 2013
Pam
marked it as to-read
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Jon Ronson is a writer and documentary film maker. His books, Them: Adventures With Extremists and The Men Who Stare At Goats were international bestsellers. The Men Who Stare At Goats was adapted into a major motion picture starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges.
He's written the popular "Human Zoo" and "Out of the Ordinary" columns for The Guardian, where he still c...more
More about Jon Ronson...
He's written the popular "Human Zoo" and "Out of the Ordinary" columns for The Guardian, where he still c...more
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