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Revenge of the Paste Eaters: Memoirs of a Misfit    by Cheryl Peck Amazon.com order for
Revenge of the Paste Eaters
by Cheryl Peck
Order:  USA  Can
5 Spot, 2005 (2005)
Paperback

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* *   Reviewed by Melissa Parcel

In her first book, Fat Girls and Lawn Chairs, Cheryl Peck hilariously discussed her childhood in middle America. In Revenge of the Paste Eaters, she again gives the reader something to laugh - and to think - about. In a series of over fifty short essays, she draws from experiences of her life and makes them relevant to readers on many levels.

Funny anecdotes about the lawfulness of using a cell phone while driving coupled with an absolutely true-to-life account of a child's-eye-view of waiting for parents to complete the purchase of a car provide variety and interest. The author is upfront about herself and doesn't appear to hold anything back. She talks freely about her plus-sized figure, her sexual orientation, and her relationships with others. This attitude is refreshing and will endear readers to her, whether or not they hold the same beliefs or values. As in her first memoir, the funniest essays deal with Peck's cat Babycakes. When she writes stories from Babycakes' point of view, the world seems clearer and you'll nod your head musing, 'that’s exactly what a cat must be thinking!'

Revenge of the Paste Eaters is a bit more introspective and reflective than the first book, and less funny just for the sake of a laugh. This doesn't make it as readable as the previous one, but it does provide a lot of food for thought. Cheryl Peck's pain and heartache, although covered over by humor at times, is also real and moving. As memoirs go, this one takes an enjoyable look at life from a humorous perspective and makes a delightful reading choice.

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