Book SummaryLet's Pretend This Never Happened, by Jenny Lawson

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Let's Pretend This Never Happened

The author's unique background and familial experiences

The author shares insights from her unique family upbringing that helped shape her worldview.

The author's family is known for its unique and unconventional dynamic.

The author was raised in an environment that many would consider unconventional or atypical. Her childhood was filled with distinctive experiences as her father operated a business specializing in animal taxidermy out of their home, frequently astonishing the family with an assortment of wild animals.

The author's dad exhibited unusual behavior by positioning sizable untamed creatures atop the dinner table.

Her father's behavior was erratic, often surprising them with live snakes, and on one occasion, he brought a large, chilled serpent of the venomous kind, all the while failing to inform them beforehand of a young wildcat residing within their home. He roused his daughters from sleep at an extremely early time to display the new animals he had acquired, liberally applied deer scent as though it were aftershave, and on one occasion, he came home holding a bobcat, which he tossed in the direction of her soon-to-be husband, Victor, behaving as though such events were commonplace in their household.

Lawson's early years were characterized by a unique set of experiences, such as nurturing raccoons...

Let's Pretend This Never Happened Summary The writer's battles with psychological well-being and stress.

The author describes her personal struggles with mental health and anxiety, giving an intimate insight into the daily challenges she faces.

The author grapples with a condition characterized by widespread anxiety.

The writer's difficulty in interacting and conversing with people in social environments.

The author's life has been profoundly shaped by a constant feeling of discomfort which isn't confined to particular situations, as evidenced by her extreme fear of interacting with anyone besides her mother and the complex methods she has devised to cope with this anxiety. She recounts her profound unease in social settings, which ranged from experiencing hyperventilation during her childhood to seeking refuge in restrooms during adult gatherings to dodge interactions. From as young as seven years old, she began to suffer from intense nervousness that frequently caused her to have severe breathlessness and such overwhelming nausea that she would vomit before she had the chance to leave her house.

The strategies...

Let's Pretend This Never Happened Summary The author shares personal anecdotes laced with wit.

The author shares a variety of comical and absurd situations from her life, revealing an innate ability to find humor in everyday occurrences and unexpected mishaps.

The author has encountered scenarios that are simultaneously absurd and extraordinary.

The author amusingly recounts her encounters involving a "chatty enchanted rodent."

The author warmly shares a tale from her youth, which includes her father and the development of a chatty squirrel character. The peculiar present, Stanley, an inanimate squirrel operated by her father, is depicted humorously, reflecting the naivety of youth and the absurdity of the circumstances.

Humorous events related to the...

Let's Pretend This Never Happened Summary Lawson's marriage and family life

The writer offers a candid exploration of the intricate dynamics present in marital and familial bonds, recounting her personal experiences with her spouse, Victor, while they manage the challenges and triumphs of raising children.

The writer's bond with her spouse, Victor

The spouse of the writer offered a contrasting perspective and character.

The vibrant interaction of differing temperaments and viewpoints stems from the author's connection with Victor. Victor's composed nature serves as a stabilizing force amidst the writer's mental health challenges and her candid uniqueness. Their initial encounter occurred serendipitously at a bookstore and evolved through the author's lighthearted rejections and the other individual's consistent attempts to establish a connection, highlighting the distinctive dynamic between them. This theme of differing traits is evident in many situations, such as the methodical strategy Victor employs to ease his wife's nervousness, which stands in stark contrast to her own whimsical preference for navigating via landmarks instead of...

Let's Pretend This Never Happened Summary Throughout the promotional tour for the book, the author engaged in numerous exchanges.

Reflecting on her book tour's highs and lows, the author shares her experiences, both challenging and humorous, encountered while connecting with her audience.

The writer's unease and apprehension were particularly evident during autograph sessions for her publications.

The strategies employed by the writer to handle nervousness during the tour.

The author recounts the stress and disconnection from reality caused by her book tour’s intense schedule and weird incidents. She wrestles with growing anxieties, highlighted by drawing parallels to another author's mental breakdown, and feels apprehensive about her forthcoming trip to a remote retreat in the famous viticultural region of California. To alleviate her nervousness, she humorously suggests starting in a setting notorious for substance misuse, which she finds less intimidating, worried that her traditional clothing might attract notice.

She uses wit and practical strategies, such as collaborating with another blogger to metaphorically embrace a 'contrarian role' to manage the pressures associated with meetings. She also incorporates the use of...