A Little More About Me

New York Times Book Review

“Houston's vigorous voice and lively take on what it's like to be a woman both physically bold and hopelessly romantic are to be cherished.”

Amy Bloom

“Pam Houston makes the page disappear. She tells us new stories: funny, sad, compassionate, and true as secrets whispered between friends at night.”

Chicago Tribune

She's Indiana Jones meets Bridget Jones.

Mademoiselle

Houston follows her heart and her gut to adventures that most of us only fantasize about, and we, lucky readers, get to share her thrills without leaving the safety of our seats.

Library Journal

Houston (Cowboys Are My Weakness) has captured the essence of truly living and loving life in her latest work. This collection includes essays (six published here for the first time) written over a period of five years. For Houston this was a time filled with adventure. She traveled extensively through 43 countries on five continents, experiencing the emotional highs and lows of living dramatically face to face with nature. In "Powerhouse by the Brook," written about whitewater rafting in the Rockies, the reader experiences the pull of the rapids, "the water thundering around" and the "roar of the falls." Houston's bold and brash essays cannot completely hide her vulnerability and reflect her search for a balanced truth. Whether she writes about Tibet, Bolivia, or Pennsylvania's Poconos, Houston's essays share a common quest for artistic, spiritual, and emotional satisfaction. Recommended for all public libraries. [Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 6/1/99.]--Cynde Bloom Lahey, New Canaan Lib., CT Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

A collection of essays, most of which have appeared elsewhere, by novelist (Waltzing the Cat, 1998, etc.) and adventurer Houston. She writes well. She also skis, rafts, tracks, rides, and climbs well, though often, she claims, people mistake bravado for skill. The combination of her writing ability and her physical endeavors has made her an oft-published writer in a range of venues whose content usually seems, if not diametrically opposed, then at least unrelated, such as Allure magazine and the anthology Women on Hunting. This juxtaposition is what makes her current collection of autobiographical essays stand out from the endless flow of memoirs still coming down the pike. Houston's exploration of personal trauma, such as problems with childhood, self-esteem, body image, and relationships may seem sadly familiar, but her methods of dealing—or not dealing—with them do not, whether that means risking life and limb guiding hunters in Alaska, hiking Mt. Timpanagos, or whitewater rafting in flood season. The collection is hit-and-miss— some of the essays, like "In Bhutan, There Is No Way To Be Famous," are truly extraordinary in their descriptive power and insight, while others, such as "The Morality of Fat," would seem more appropriate in a fashion magazine than here. The book would have benefited from some judicious editing, since there's a redundant quality to some of these pieces. Ultimately, though, when Houston notes that "my need to write the things that terrify me is matched only by my desire to write the things that surprise and delight," it's clear that's she's satisfied both requirements. (Author tour)