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Just Say Yes: A Marijiuana Memoir
JUST SAY YES, perhaps the first marijuana memoir ever published, is a positive account of long-term cannabis use. With ruthless honesty and deadpan humor, the author observes the effect of weed upon every aspect of her life: marriage, motherhood, friendship, work, sport, sex. Phillip Lopate, Nonfiction Director of Columbia University's MFA Writing Program, lauds JUST SAY YES: "This funny, wry and very candid memoir purports to be a Confession of an American Pot-Smoker but is really a cultural/personal history of the past fifty years. The narrative progresses backward and not only the past but innocence itself is recaptured." John Updike wrote about Hiller's short story collection, SKIN, this is "good, brave and joyful writing." For more reviews of JUST SAY YES, please see the Kindle page and www.marijuanamemoir.com.
182 pages, Paperback
First published April 20, 2015
13 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Hiller
15 books5 followersCatherine Hiller began writing in a diary when she was ten and now has dozens of spiral-bound journals, which she never rereads. She grew up in Greenwich Village and Park Slope and attended Hunter College High School, Brooklyn College, and Sussex University. She has a PhD in English from Brown University.
Her first published piece, about gender role reversal in The Way We Were, appeared in the New York Times. Soon after, she published two books for children: Argentaybee and the Boonie and Abracatabby (both Coward, McCann).
She then started publishing fiction for adults, often about unconventional love. After her third novel, she became interested in documentary film making.
She is the co-producer/co-director, with Robert Richter, of Do Not Enter: The Visa War Against Ideas, about the McCarran Walter Act, which made it difficult for politically leftwing foreigners such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Carlos Fuentes, and Dario Fo (all of whom are in the film) to visit the U.S. The film aired on PBS and was shown to members of Congress. It received a Blue Ribbon at the American Film and Video Festival.
Hiller also co-produced and co-directed, with Regina Weinreich, Paul Bowles: The Complete Outsider, a portrait film about the American writer and composer, author of The Sheltering Sky. The film premiered at the Museum of Modern Art and was released theatrically in 20 cities. Broadcast on the Sundance Channel, the film was called “spell-binding” by the New York Post. The Washington Post said it was “a fabulous film. You want to see it again and again.”
Hiller’s next books return to the subject of passion. Her story collection, Skin: Sensual Tales (Carroll & Graf), was praised by John Updike. The novel Cybill In Between is the most directly erotic of her books, starting with the cover: a photo from neck to knees, of a woman in red lingerie.
Her most recent novel is The Adventures of Sid Sawyer: Mark Twain’s Adventures of Tom Sawyer—turned upside down. Told from the point of view of Tom’s sissy half-brother Sid, we get a whole new angle on this beloved classic.
Hiller’s current mission is to add a new character to the world of contemporary fiction: the adventuresome and appealing older woman. She has written a number of stories on this theme, such as "Her Last Affair," which appeared in the 2010 Summer Fiction issue of the Antioch Review, and "Cybill at Burning Man," which she read at Center Camp, Burning Man, 2009.
In 2015 she released her latest work, a memoir, entitled Just Say Yes: A Marijuana Memoir about her life as a longtime pot smoker, author, and mother of three.
Her first published piece, about gender role reversal in The Way We Were, appeared in the New York Times. Soon after, she published two books for children: Argentaybee and the Boonie and Abracatabby (both Coward, McCann).
She then started publishing fiction for adults, often about unconventional love. After her third novel, she became interested in documentary film making.
She is the co-producer/co-director, with Robert Richter, of Do Not Enter: The Visa War Against Ideas, about the McCarran Walter Act, which made it difficult for politically leftwing foreigners such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Carlos Fuentes, and Dario Fo (all of whom are in the film) to visit the U.S. The film aired on PBS and was shown to members of Congress. It received a Blue Ribbon at the American Film and Video Festival.
Hiller also co-produced and co-directed, with Regina Weinreich, Paul Bowles: The Complete Outsider, a portrait film about the American writer and composer, author of The Sheltering Sky. The film premiered at the Museum of Modern Art and was released theatrically in 20 cities. Broadcast on the Sundance Channel, the film was called “spell-binding” by the New York Post. The Washington Post said it was “a fabulous film. You want to see it again and again.”
Hiller’s next books return to the subject of passion. Her story collection, Skin: Sensual Tales (Carroll & Graf), was praised by John Updike. The novel Cybill In Between is the most directly erotic of her books, starting with the cover: a photo from neck to knees, of a woman in red lingerie.
Her most recent novel is The Adventures of Sid Sawyer: Mark Twain’s Adventures of Tom Sawyer—turned upside down. Told from the point of view of Tom’s sissy half-brother Sid, we get a whole new angle on this beloved classic.
Hiller’s current mission is to add a new character to the world of contemporary fiction: the adventuresome and appealing older woman. She has written a number of stories on this theme, such as "Her Last Affair," which appeared in the 2010 Summer Fiction issue of the Antioch Review, and "Cybill at Burning Man," which she read at Center Camp, Burning Man, 2009.
In 2015 she released her latest work, a memoir, entitled Just Say Yes: A Marijuana Memoir about her life as a longtime pot smoker, author, and mother of three.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 2, 2015
There are memoirs and then there are memoirs; this one is spectacular! Hiller is not pitching marijuana legalization; in fact, she admits it's not for everyone. But she tells her story of weed consumption from present to past--a brilliant strategy--in beautiful, dramatic prose.
January 1, 2018
Excellent personal account of one woman's lifelong use of marijuana. I am personally glad it is now legal in California beginning in 2018. It is ridiculous to me that people should be jailed for smoking a natural herb that alleviates many maladies--both physical and emotional--and provides relaxation, creativity enhancement and psychic benefits to so many "normal" and productive people. My personal theory is that the U.S. government does not want people to "wake up" and see the deeper reality of our human existence or the fallacy of the socioeconomic systems that imprison us each and every day. More people might opt to "drop out" or "push back". Hats off to Catherine Hiller for "coming out" with such candor and good humor.
August 24, 2015
Cathy Hiller's personal history of marijuana use is a series of chapters that alternate between disarming memoir-y episodes and larger ruminations on the place of pot in culture and legislation. With bright humor and an eye for detail Hiller tells stories about Burning Man and the logistics of crossing state lines. Her description of an absurd effort to evade drug-sniffing dogs includes a MacGyver-like modus sequestrum utilizing commonplace travel items. Not that the book is all capering hijinks. Hiller writes honestly about the downsides of habitual marijuana use, such as lethargy and the anxiety of law-breaking. However, the sections on amplified joy and pleasure are persuasive and moving. If marijuana, she concludes, provides access to life's beauty, and adds more happy moments to our lives, why shouldn't we use it? Who doesn't want to live more fully, and be more in touch with positive feelings? Smartly, Hiller always qualifies the prescription: "this is how it worked for me."
July 2, 2015
I absolutely loved this book! Not only was it very interesting to see how weed effected Catherine's life, but I also felt like I made a new friend. It was such a funny, heart-warming, informative book that I couldn't put down. I am really interested in checking out her other books
January 1, 2019
A fun little memoir about a highly creative, highly energetic and intensely liberal writer and how marijuana plays a major role in her life. Obviously not a pleasant read for anti-marijuana crowd.
The author has been smoking weed for most of her life. She’s an advocate for marijuana, but while the title “Just Say Yes” implies a persuasion, the book is hardly ever trying to persuade. Only occasionally does it even presents an opinion. And looking at her life/past actions, most of us would not see her as a positive influence to champion the cause of marijuana legalization, e.g. he smokes weed with her 18 year old son knowing the brain doesn’t fully develop until twenties on the argument that since he seems well adjusted, she thinks he’ll be fine, flirting with other men outside of her husband, sleeping with three separate lab partners in her young age. Despite whatever judgement the readers have of her, the author has promised from the getgo that she’s going to be honest, and she was.
I admit, there isn’t a lot about the author’s life that will make it interesting to read about. But her writing contains a kinetic energic that is youthful and perfectly compliments the subject matter. She’s also an excellent writer, the part where she describes going to Burning Man for the first time is vivid, colorful, resulting from an impressive attention to detail.
Overall, if you don’t care much for marijuana politically, there isn’t much here to compel the read. There hasn’t been really anyone who had written a book exclusively about weed and their own career, so this is a nice, new touch.
The author has been smoking weed for most of her life. She’s an advocate for marijuana, but while the title “Just Say Yes” implies a persuasion, the book is hardly ever trying to persuade. Only occasionally does it even presents an opinion. And looking at her life/past actions, most of us would not see her as a positive influence to champion the cause of marijuana legalization, e.g. he smokes weed with her 18 year old son knowing the brain doesn’t fully develop until twenties on the argument that since he seems well adjusted, she thinks he’ll be fine, flirting with other men outside of her husband, sleeping with three separate lab partners in her young age. Despite whatever judgement the readers have of her, the author has promised from the getgo that she’s going to be honest, and she was.
I admit, there isn’t a lot about the author’s life that will make it interesting to read about. But her writing contains a kinetic energic that is youthful and perfectly compliments the subject matter. She’s also an excellent writer, the part where she describes going to Burning Man for the first time is vivid, colorful, resulting from an impressive attention to detail.
Overall, if you don’t care much for marijuana politically, there isn’t much here to compel the read. There hasn’t been really anyone who had written a book exclusively about weed and their own career, so this is a nice, new touch.
March 5, 2016
Catherine Hiller's memoir, Just Say Yes: A Marijuana memoir, is a brilliant tell-all tale revolving around a previously untouched memoir subject. She masterfully blends a mix of wry humor along with the serious consequences of using cannabis. It’s similar to reading a history novel as Hiller describes her usage of the drug from the 1960s into her current life. It helps younger readers understand the lifestyle of teenagers in the sixties along with the important historical events of that time like Reefer Madness and Woodstock. The author provides insight on the relatively fun times she’s had while using marijuana while also providing insight on the anxiety users feel due to its illegality. Prejudice against marijuana users, as well as the amount of arrests concerning the drug, are strongly denounced by Hiller. I learned quite a bit about marijuana’s effects on its users through this memoir. The enhanced joy Hiller felt whilst on the drug throughout different parts of her life was quite moving to read. I realized how sluggish one can become after using marijuana, and I learned how scary avoiding the law can be at times. The adverse affects of the drug on her lifestyle were quite persuasive and poignant. Hiller also shed light on an interesting effect of marijuana being addictive. She states that she depends on it, but does not have an addiction which was a tad confusing at first. However, she went on a three year hiatus from the drug while she was pregnant and nursing. I learned that it wasn’t as addictive as I once thought, yet it is a different experience for everyone. Hiller also provides that smoking cannabis is better for one’s health than having a cocktail because marijuana is less harmful than alcohol. So, in conclusion, this memoir was quite the marvelous read with great wisdom into cannabis.
January 6, 2020
This is just a memoir, a collection of stories, by Catherine Hiller. I think it was fun to read, and gave some insight into the functioning life of someone who regularly smoked marijuana. I think it definitely changed my perspective on marijuana usage, and I will definitely revisit this again. It's just one of those kinds of laid back, fun reads.
January 25, 2016
Not finished.....1/4 through and nothing much to keep me continue reading.....
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews