You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up

A Love Story

By: Annabelle Gurwitch, Jeff Kahn

Narrated by: Annabelle Gurwitch, Jeff Kahn, Todd Ross

Length: 9 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Actress, producer, and acclaimed writer Annabelle Gurwitch—once fired from a play by Woody Allen—can find humor in any situation. Here she teams with her husband, Jeff Kahn, for a funny look at the ups and downs of marriage.

©2010 Annabelle Gurwitch and Jeff Kahn (P)2010 Recorded Books, LLC

A very funny book

This book is laugh-out-loud funny. The authors admit that they have no real knowledge of how to make a marriage a success as they don't count their own as successful. But they are clearly in love. How would either of them find anyone else to argue with like they do with each other? Some people show their love with hugs and flowers. They show theirs by arguing. But it's not obnoxious -- it's hysterical. There are parts that are tender also. Well worth listening. I often shy away from authors reading their own work but with this book, no one could do it better.

Jewish Comedy Meets Postmodern Couples Issues

If you could sum up You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up in three words, what would they be?

Funny, Honest and Entertaining

Who was your favorite character and why?

My favorite character is their relationship. I know its a bit unorthodox to pick an interpersonal relationship as your favorite character, but it was the best. It's not just Annabelle or just Jeff that makes this love story hysterically funny; their marriage, or better said the marriage between their humor and personalities, is what really make this story work.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I just love all the mishaps and issues that they have arise. It is nice to know that this sort of craziness happens to other people and that they somehow get through it together too. An alternative title for this book, borrowing from Lemony Snicket, could be A Love Story of Unfortunate Events [in both the Schlemiel and Schlemazel senses].

Any additional comments?

A MUST READ! Especially for postmodern Jewish Couples and the like...

Huh?

I was so excited about the title of this book: it was clever, original, funny and I guessed that this book would be shot through with comic genius. But no. There were very few "shining pieces" but you had to wade through so much vulgar garbage to get there I was nearly (not kidding) physically ill. The story of their son was heartbreaking and informative (when it did not also veer vulgar) but it should have been a separate book. The rest was so incomprehensibly, disgustingly tasteless...what a waste of talent from two obviously very talented people. Please authors-clean up your language and references and write something else-we need you! You are capable of so much more.

Essays from a Bickering couple

Would you try another book from Annabelle Gurwitch and Jeff Kahn and/or the narrators?

no

Has You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up turned you off from other books in this genre?

yes

How did the narrator detract from the book?

I imagine they think they are funny. But NO ONE wants to listen to a couple's bickering. Alternating 'he said' 'she said' chapters force you to witness this ugly marriage from both sides even as they pretend their enlightened brand of schizophrenic atheistic degradation might be a story someone wants to hear.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No...take this book out of your cart! I listened to the whole thing waiting for something redeeming.

They're negative and bitter

The reviews of this book led me to believe that it would be funny and tender and lighthearted and holy cow it was anything but. I felt like I was having to unwillingly sit in on someone's therapy session as they spewed really bitter insults and negative emotions at one another. The part (which is actually most of the book) where they discuss their son's physical ailments is extremely sad and depressing and negative and not really what I bargained for at all. They focus so much on the negative aspects of their marriage, and even talk about leaving one another through out the book that it makes me wonder how we're expected to find that enjoyable and funny. This book was way way too serious and negative for me.