Jay Got Married

And Other Short Non Fiction Essays

Non-Fiction - Humor/Comedy
179 Pages
Reviewed on 10/16/2019
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

James Robinson, Jr. is an award-wining author who has written 6 books in both the fiction and non-fiction genres. His first book Fighting the Effects of Gravity: A Bittersweet Journey Into Middle Life, was an Indie Award winner for nonfiction. His first foray into fiction, Book of Samuel, was a Readers’ Favorite Award Winner. His latest book—Jay Got Married—is a collection of 9 humorous, sometimes poignant essays.
Mr. Robinson resides in Pittsburgh, PA with his wife of 43 years. He is the father of three daughters ages 37, 38, and 40 and has six grandchildren.
Jay Got Married is not just the name of the book but the lead essay in the book and a statement on love and marriage in the year 2019. I have always been intrigued with the pomp and ceremony of marriage.
I combine this essay with eight others of different subjects with a humorous sometimes somber mood. Essays seem to be the best way of conveying my message; like short vignettes, they afford me the opportunity to express my opinion on different subjects without having to worry about sticking to one major theme.



    Book Review

Reviewed by Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite

Jay Got Married by James Robinson Jr. is a first-person narrative full of fascinating, entertaining, short, non-fiction essays with accompanying hilarious pictures to drive the humor home. The short narratives can range from barely remembered theme papers from fifty years ago (with funny interpretations of an English teacher that seem to wonder why he even exists) to the undeserved, bad reputations of fanny packs.

Jay Got Married is James Robinson Jr.’s own unique voice turned into witty and amusing written words. This book is a quick and entertaining read where the author provides hilarious points of view and thoughts on actual situations he’s encountered and dreams he’s had. It’s made even funnier because of how relatable his thoughts and the situations are, which drew me into the story even more. Sometimes the attempt at humor inevitably touches a few real-life issues but it is quickly diverted again back to humor, so as not to linger or get too serious and forget the main genre. The writer has done an incredible job of keeping my attention and it constantly kept me guessing as to what he’d write about next. I loved the part with the selfie; it was so unexpected but it had me bursting out in giggles and the jellybean part almost made me cry with laughter, especially when the author so kindly provided a picture of said jellybean to further convince me of how evasive they were.

The ‘Jay Got Married’ segment was another favorite. It was sweeter than the rest of the book, with lines like “what if I were faced with the prospect of being without her (author’s wife) for the rest of my life? I would be devastated” and “the mere thought of marrying anyone else is frightful”, which made me realize that as funny and witty as this book is, what really made an impact on me was how much soul and heart was put into it. In every word and with every flip of the page, you can see how James Robinson Jr. poured a bit of himself into creating this book. All the narratives are definitely humorous, memorable and unique. It is sure to put a smile on the faces of its readers; it certainly put one on mine.

K.C. Finn

Jay Got Married is a collection of non-fiction essays centered around everyday life and comical themes, and was penned by author James Robinson Jr. Comprising nine essays in total, this quirky and often poignant collection features slices of life and the bizarre thoughts, dreams and connections which our brains make, but which perhaps very few of us care to share aloud. The themes range from seasonal misdemeanors to comments on modern life and ideas of the future, but each one is treated with the same wry, humorous style and a dash of nostalgia for the idealized, simple way we sometimes think the past was.

I really enjoyed author James Robinson Jr.’s authentic writing style, which blends down to earth humor with the bizarre oddities of everyday life really nicely. The title story is one of the most amusing of the bunch, as a strange dream of mingled memories leads to a discussion about modern marriage and remarriage. Beware The Black Jellybean was outrageously funny too, poking fun at political correctness with a smart but sensitive narration, and I also really enjoyed All Hail The Jetsons! for its intelligent, insightful look at idealism and reality. There’s an excellent blend of poignant and intellectual social commentary, balanced with just the right amount of silliness and humor to make it really accessible for everyone looking (in confusion) at the world today. Overall, Jay Got Married is a delightful slice of life work that’s sure to put a smile on every reader’s face.

Sarah Stuart

James Robinson Jr. introduces himself logically – “INTRODUCTION” – and he became an instant friend, I think. I have reservations; I loved the illustrations but was wary of the humour displayed before I reached the first of the nine essays. Fragment, containing many fragments, denounces other authors with gay abandon, but actually centers on English teachers who mark down essays containing fragments, followed by book editors who do likewise. Frazzled, I read on, and I have no right to complain; there’s a warning on Beware the Black Jellybean. “This essay contains graphic subject matter and may not be suitable for readers with any dignity or sense of self-worth whatsoever.” Hooked, I continued to the end of this very different book.

Anthologies intrigue me – any genre, fiction or non-fiction – but I have never read one comprised of essays before. So, which were my favourites? Other readers will choose their own but, for me Reel to Real, the longest, takes second prize. Note: “Due to Graphic Content, Reader Discretion is Advised.” James Robinson Jr. tackles movies and how to get into the cinema to see them on a child’s ticket when he was overage and, worse, oversized. Next, for me, is the last. I’ll Be Home For Christmas; I couldn’t resist the aftermath, particularly the lady who dealt with her decorated tree by pushing it into a corner and covering it. My winner? I defy anyone to read Jay Got Married in solemn silence; James Robinson Jr. writes brilliant comedy.