Everybody Says Hello

An epistolary "catching up" with Sid Straw, Kun's character from similarly-penned The Locklear Letters. This is a breezy read, excelling in character development (Sid) and the slow-motion comedic train wreck (similar to Curb Your Enthusiasm) that the reader sees unfolding before him. Kun digs away at the conflict of where good natured, but perhaps daft, people (Sid) rely upon others (or institutions) who stubbornly don't fulfill their end of the bargain. Who hasn't been there?Sid Straw is not Joseph K. or Gregor Samsa, but if Kafka wanted a funny book to read, this would be my recommendation.Prior reading of The Locklear Letters should be a prerequisite for this book, as it explains Sid's beginning, and how he has a real (but realistically platonic) relationship with Heather Locklear.Kun's deconstruction of both Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards are reasons enough to buy this book.

Michael Kun has done it again. All the hallmarks of the Kun Style are here--the deft use of irony, the laugh out loud humor with the unexpected turns into pathos, the inventive technique.I'm amazed at how he can weave a whole complicated story in this epistolary style, especially when told exclusively form one perspective, that of the inimitable Sid Straw. The reader is left to fill in blanks as he complains about stationary, commits outrageous faux pas about coworkers, befriends transvestites and frets over vandalizing yellow pages. Kun gives just enough information for us to imagine the whole messy world Sid is muddling through, and never lapses into staged or situational writing.Through all we're told a moving story of a rather clueless but decent guy looking to find his share of happiness in an often indifferent or sometimes hostile world. You'll be pulling for Sid the whole way!

This is the second book Mr. Kun wrote in this unique style and amazingly, he has managed to improve on his first one, The Locklear Letters. Everybody Says Hello is told through a series of letters from the book's protagonist, Sid Straw, whose trials and tribulations will make you feel better about any situation you're likely to encounter. The letters are amusing from the outset and by the time you're finished the book, you will be laughing out loud.Pick up a copy and you'll be smiling for days.As an aside, it's not necessary to have read the first book to enjoy this one, but of you haven't read Locklear Letters, do yourself a favor and grab a copy of it as well.

The reviewer who likened Sid Straw to Michael Scott of the Office was dead on. Sid makes you uncomfortable when he's awkward like Michael, but he's hilarious throughout. I've read all of Kun's books and they are all very funny, so it's tough to pick the funniest one. Having said that, this one wins.

I loved this book. I laughed out loud so much while reading it, that my husband kicked me out of the room. It's amazing that Mike Kun can develop complete characters and stories simply from letters written by the main character Sid Straw. There were so many times in the book where you cringe at the situatioins Sid gets himself into. The ending is perfect and very satisfying. I read it in one sitting and plan on re-reading it many times.