Resnick, a writer for Letterman, writes about a character that is ostensibly himself, the result of a family with five brawling, stealing, abusive brothers, a tolerant mother, Joyce, and Merv, a giant Jewish angry insurance salesman. This character grows up to be a withdrawn, weird father of a daughter married to Lorrie, in a state of perpetual war. Doesn’t sound funny, but Resnick writes cleverly and insightfully into the challenges we face in today’s suburban/urban crazy world. From the first story in which he describes his withdrawn, anti-social elementary school self to the final one about getting rid of his daughter’s piano after she spills turtle food into it, these are laugh out loud tales which were recommended in the NYT By the Book interview with Bob Oberdink. A good break from heavy stuff.