Review: Waxing Pathetic by M. B. Clark

M. B. Clark plumbs the depths of her own life with dark humor in Waxing Pathetic: My Two Cents, For What They’re Worth. Detailing long-simmering stories from different seminal points in her life, as well as her contemporary thoughts on glass ceilings, self-erected brick walls, technology, and the elusive vapors of youth, this is far from your average memoir.

As the author humorously states in her introduction, this book attempts to “capture more precisely the actual conundrum of the inner workings of my so-called brain,” which is precisely what it proceeds to do. From the dissection of embarrassing childhood recollections to the tragic comedy of cancer survival, Clark holds nothing back from the page. In five distinct parts, tied together by acerbic wit and righteous frustration, this book is a modern critique of the world that is difficult to refute.

Referred to as a “fictional” work, despite being drawn directly from the author’s lived experiences, there is some flexibility in the storytelling, allowing for more humor, bent truth, and the occasional misremembering. Clark waxes poetic about many subjects specific to her – impostor syndrome among writers or accomplished peers, fears of medical treatment going terribly wrong, the inability to recover a sense of normalcy after illness, the feelings of shame she has about her own emotional responses, and much more. Through the microcosm we see the macrocosm that comprises universal concerns – professional insecurities, self-esteem, body image, and mortality.

Manic as the prose may occasionally seem, there is a method to this madness, and the unpredictable pace and energy make it difficult to stop reading. With a punchline or an elbow jab every few paragraphs, or every few lines, this is an uproariously fun read, demonstrating Clark’s sharp wit. This pseudo-memoir is simultaneously an experiment in vulnerability and raw personal writing – a master class in plundering the past for profound (and hilarious) bits of wisdom.

As the wordplay of the title suggests, the author boasts an artful way with language, from playful and whimsical turns of phrase to visceral flashes of imagery. Clark also plays with form and format, breaking down normal expectations for narration, reader engagement, perspective, and stream of consciousness. When she describes watching the “unchanged pockets of poverty” in the towns where she grew up, or dissecting the nuances of developing empathy through adversity, the author demonstrates a sensitivity and thoughtfulness that most books lack, particularly books that can also make you laugh out loud every few pages.

The casual nature of the prose makes it easy to read, but there are a number of sloppy patches of writing that could be sharpened and polished. Fortunately, inconsistent grammar choices, repetitive word choice, and jokes that fall a bit flat are the exception, rather than the rule. Overall, Waxing Pathetic is a snappy, daring, and linguistic delight – a whip-smart takedown of traditional thinking and a blistering commentary on the modern world.