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Cover of Stuff White People Like

Stuff White People Like

Christian Lander

First published 2008 · 211 pages

A deadpan, faux-anthropological field guide to the pretensions of the modern urban yuppie.

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What it feels like

Reading this book feels like flipping through a highly observant, slightly merciless cultural yearbook from the late 2000s. The pace is brisk and episodic, designed for easy dipping in and out, much like the blog it originated from. Its tone is relentlessly deadpan, adopting the voice of a faux-anthropologist studying a very specific, NPR-listening, organic-food-buying demographic. The mood is lighthearted but sharply cynical, wrapping astute observations about class anxiety and performative authenticity in layers of irony. It is a continuous loop of defensive cringing that quickly dissolves into reluctant, amused agreement. This is the perfect read for self-aware urbanites who are perfectly willing to laugh at their own expensive coffee habits and indie music pretensions.

Mood
  • amused
  • self-aware
  • lighthearted
  • cynical
Tone
  • wry
  • deadpan
  • satirical
  • observant
  • tongue-in-cheek
Pace
brisk
Themes
cultural pretension · performative authenticity · class anxiety · consumerism as identity · urban hipster culture
The writing
Punchy, faux-anthropological, and structured in easily digestible, blog-style entries.
The arc
A continuous loop of defensive cringing that quickly dissolves into reluctant, amused agreement.
Who it's for
Self-aware urbanites who listen to NPR, buy organic groceries, and don't mind being roasted for it.
Content notes
  • satirical stereotyping
  • racial commentary

About the book

They love nothing better than sipping free-trade gourmet coffee, leafing through the Sunday New York Times, and listening to David Sedaris on NPR (ideally all at the same time). Apple products, indie music, food co-ops, and vintage T-shirts make them weak in the knees. They believe they're unique, yet somehow they're all exactly the same, talking about how they "get" Sarah Silverman's "subversive" comedy and Wes Anderson's "droll" films. They're also down with diversity and up on all the best microbrews, breakfast spots, foreign cinema, and authentic sushi. They're organic, ironic, and do not own TVs. You know who they are: They're white people. And they're here, and you're gonna have to deal. Fortunately, here's a book that investigates, explains, and offers advice for finding social success with the Caucasian persuasion. So kick back on your IKEA couch and lose yourself in the ultimate guide to the unbearable whiteness of being.Praise for STUFF WHITE PEOPLE LIKE:"The best of a hilarious Web site: an uncannily accurate catalog of dead-on predilections. The Criterion Collection of classic films? Haircuts with bangs? Expensive fruit juice? 'Blonde on Blonde' on the iPod? The author knows who reads The New Yorker and who wears plaid."--Janet Maslin's summer picks, CBS.com"The author of "Stuff White People Like" skewers the sacred cows of lefty Caucasian culture, from the Prius to David Sedaris.... It gently mocks the habits and pretensions of urbane, educated, left-leaning whites, skewering their passion for Barack Obama and public transportation (as long as it's not a bus), their idle threats to move to Canada, and joy in playing children's games as adults. Kickball, anyone?"--Salon.com"A handy reference guide with which you can check just how white you are. Hint: If you like only documentaries and think your child is gifted, you glow in the dark, buddy."--NY Daily NewsFrom the Trade Paperback edition.

Description from Open Library.

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