“Failing and laughing at your own shortcomings are the hallmarks of a sane parent,” writes comedian Jim Gaffigan who, according to his own definition, must be the sanest parent alive.
Dad is Fat is an account of fatherhood told through a collection of vignettes and anecdotes. Every chapter looks at a different aspect of parenting, from critical analyses of children’s books to circumcision. Gaffigan covers most everything you would expect from a father of five young children and does so in exactly the way an accomplished standup comedian would.
In fact, the book reads much like an extended standup comedy routine. Almost every anecdote has a punch line, and the style is very laid back and self-deprecating. There is no shortage of asides and random tangents that give it the impression that the author is on stage, making up these stories as he goes along. If you do pick up this book, I heartily recommend reading it out loud with a few friends. I did so with a few of the chapters, and it made them infinitely funnier.
Of course, that’s not surprising when you’re a comedian who makes a living from telling stories on stage. It works because, regardless of the topic, the book is very funny. Gaffigan combines his knack for sarcasm and self-loathing with genuinely heartwarming tales of parenthood and surprisingly insightful observations. For example, now that I know that having a one-year old child is exactly like being at a bar at two in the morning, I know exactly what to prepare myself for in the future.
At times, his reliance on the “I’m a fat, lazy dad who just watches sports and eats” shtick gets a little tiresome especially considering that everything else in the book tends to suggest otherwise. There are a few too many jokes that end with him being asleep during pregnancy, childbirth, his children’s first steps, and so on. It might be funny at first and his never-ending praise for his wife is admirable, but the joke wears thin after a while and often puts an awkward end to an otherwise amusing story.
That being said, if you are looking for highbrow poignant satire, this is clearly the wrong place to start. Gaffigan’s humour is very down to earth, appealing to problems people face on a day-to-day basis. He’s the Subway of standup comedy: a good alternative to a Big Mac of “Yo Momma” jokes but not quite where you would take the rich girl you’re trying to woo on a first date.
But after another year of university, I have no problem with enjoying a nice, relaxing Subway sandwich. Dad is Fat is one of those books that is meant to be enjoyed just for the sake of enjoyment. It’s lighthearted, funny, and, as long as you’re not expecting Mark Twain or Oscar Wilde, a terrific perspective on living in a huge family.