I’ve been a fan of writer Kristen Arnett since her 2019 debut novel, Mostly Dead Things, an eccentric, darkly funny story about a woman taking over her family’s taxidermy business. Arnett’s latest, Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One, is similarly delightful to read—but also wholly unique.
Narrator and protagonist Cherry is a 28-year-old living in central Florida. By day she works at a dingy aquarium store employed and frequented by a host of quirky characters (including a humorless boss she insists on calling Mister Manager, much to his chagrin). The job allows her to pursue her real passion: being Bunko, a professional clown.
As Bunko, Cherry plays the Orlando children’s party circuit, and has dreams of taking her act to the next level. (Sometimes at these parties, she also hooks up with the birthday boy or girl’s mom—she has a thing for MILFs.) Cherry's high aspirations feel slightly more in reach when she meets Margot the Magnificent, an older, highly respected magician who Cherry hopes will serve as a mentor—with benefits.
Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One isn’t all kooky, irreverent fun; it contains tender meditations on grief, following your dreams and being queer—in Florida, of all places. For fans of Celia Laskey (for queer reasons) and Lauren Groff (for Florida reasons), Arnett’s latest will have you hooked from its hilariously disastrous opening pages.
