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Yeah, I Said It by Wanda Sykes, reviewed by Adam D.

In Yeah, I Said It Wanda Sykes reveals to all her true comic genius. Saying things that no normal person could get away with, Wanda Sykes gets things off her chest, ranging from the president's daughter, to airport security, to clubbing and drinking, to answering machine messages, to marriage and relationships.

Yeah, I Said It, is just like a stand up comedy routine. You can hear Wanda saying these words, just as if you were in a comedy club. Wanda speaks about a range of issues. She explains things about relationships, for example how women used to be able to accept drinks from men, and how men weren’t expected to get any. She makes fun of President George Bush, and how the government is concerned about athletes taking performance enhancing drugs, when they should be worried about the war in Iraq. Wanda goes into how having kids takes away your freedom, but how parents claim they’re worth it. Wanda also goes into age and gender.

The reader who reads this book knows he/she is in for a ride. For those who have ever seen Wanda do a comic routine, you know exactly what she’s trying to say, and how she is really able to make you laugh and think at the same time. You are able to laugh at things that you normally wouldn’t laugh about in public. You think to yourself how you thought the same things Wanda does, but were never able to speak of them at school, work, or home. Wanda is able to write down her ideas in a well thought-out manner, while still being able to get her message across. This book is great for those who want to have a light read, while still being able to enjoy themselves.

Some readers might find the beginning of the book a little slowly paced because Wanda seems to be stalling, like she doesn’t want to write the book or she cant figure out how to get started. A word to the wise, you can skip the first chapter of the book as Wanda is just trying to take up space because she needs a certain amount of words to get paid! Also, you need to be able to laugh at yourself, and not to take things too literally because Wanda picks on everybody, every religion, every race, and every gender. Finally, you cannot go a page without finding a curse on it, so it's probably not the best book for kids.

Overall, this book deserves four stars. Yeah, I Said It, is true comic genius. Wanda Sykes has really outdone herself with this book, and should really be proud. Wanda teaches all how to look at life in a different light, and how to relax a little while still having fun. Readers who don’t like reading will love this book the most, because it's just like watching Wanda on TV, but you don’t have to get in your car and go to a comedy club just to have a good time.


SPR-2004-17 Suzanne Valenza & Denise Ryder
© 2005 Jericho Public Schools