House of Cards: Love, Faith, and Other Social Expressions

By David Ellis Dickerson

Book Overview

An original and hilarious memoir by an ex-greeting card writer, virgin fundamentalist, and This American Life contributor that chronicles how, in the belly of the "social expression" industry, he... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1594488819
• ISBN13: 9781594488818
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.14 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.3" x 5.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

A funny, tender, and mildly disturbing memoir

For a 28-year-old man, ex-fundamentalist David Ellis Dickerson has remarkably little life experience. After getting his master's degree, he's only ever worked at one job, as a clerk at a government agency. He got engaged to the first woman he ever dated. Worst of all, he's a virgin. What he's good at, and loves doing, is writing word puzzles and funny poems. When he gets the chance to work at the Hallmark greeting card company, he thinks he's found the perfect job. So he moves hundreds of miles away from his family and fiancee and, for the first time in his life, tries to fit in in the corporate world. You can pretty much guess what happens next. Between his own quirkiness and the vagaries of corporate culture, David has a tough time at Hallmark. He does make some good friends. He also alienates several bosses and has an excruciatingly hard time figuring out the unwritten rules at his new workplace. This is a well-written, cleverly observed, and very funny book. I also found it mildly disturbing, because I think Dickerson sometimes reveals more about himself than he realizes. It's still not clear to me, for instance, that he understands how deep the divide was between his own "romantic" but essentially self-centered fantasies about his relationship and his fiancee's actual needs and desires. And it takes the poor guy forever to figure out that some of his perfectly innocent habits are annoying the crap out of his patient but uncommunicative coworkers. At many points in the book, I felt simultaneously sympathetic and incredibly irritated with him. Ultimately, though, I think Dickerson's perhaps unintentionally unsparing portrait of himself is what makes this such a good book. This was a one-day read for me; I picked it up and almost literally didn't put it down until I finished it. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys funny memoirs about quirky people.

a really great book about a *really* annoying guy

David Ellis Dickerson is one heck of a writer. Why? He managed to make a book about himself- an incredibly annoying, clueless, and self-centered guy (he does *mean* well, though. I think...)- incredibly engrossing and readable. In the hands of a less capable author, Dickerson's experiences at Hallmark, and personal observations, would have been unreadable. But he makes them funny, interesting, and even a little shocking. So despite my dislike of Dickerson as a person, I think he's a good writer. I just hope next time around he picks a less annoying subject.

Leaving faith and fiancee for a first job - authentic, amusing anecdotes

David Dickerson was brought up in a Christian home, living his Protestant values. A Catholic fiancee, his Hallmark job and his innermost feelings force him to rethink his lifestyle and beliefs. With the excitement of a new job, David enthusiastically arrives in Kansas City. He's there to make a difference, but as so often happens managers don't really know where he fits. He tries to fit into the Humor Group. He's good at humor. It makes the book a fun read. David is really good at accentuating the differences between the culture of his family and that of the company. The beginning is a little slow. His narrative style - I did this, thought this, felt this - is incredibly author-centric. He describes himself better than his coworkers and if there's a flaw in the book, it's that the writer talks too much about himself. I'd have liked more rich words applied to his coworkers - they were clearly characters and a little more of their thoughts would have added depth to the text. Warning: if you don't want to read the details of his sex life this book is not for you. David tells passionate stories about being a bloke in a strange culture, juggling a remote fiancee and meeting weird women. He's a world class wordsmith and slips the occasional new word into his text. His authentic writing flows brilliantly. However, some of the poems for cards that he thought so great in the first part of the book don't scan well - in fairness he does make reference to scansion. Writer's block gets him, creativity eludes him and he shows that writing cards ain't that easy. It's an easy read. For some the plot will seem unbelievable, for others who have been through the rituals of company life, there are plenty of credible anecdotes. The book would make an interesting case study for both business and theological schools. Managers need to realize that not everyone is brought up with the same values and pastors need to understand how some people think when they move to their first company. This book would be a fun gift for a student about to start their first job. If you feel like Dilbert, you'll have a blast.

Entertaining and enlightening

I never even heard of the author before ordering the book, which is surprising because I listen to NPR often - I guess I just keep missing him! After reading this, I'll be keeping an ear out for Dave Dickerson because I want more. This book is at times funny, poignant, eye-opening, surprising, and never pulls a punch. For someone who supposedly gets into trouble for using too much flowery language and "literary allusions," this guy never beats around the bush when it comes to sex or God. He is frank to a fault, never makes you guess what he's really thinking! Many of us can relate to having your "dream job" slowly turn into a FAIL of epic proportions...it can feel so much worse because expectations were so high. Following the author on this journey through the levels of corporate hell is cringe-inducing while still being delightfully entertaining. Dickerson is fascinatingly human, and his writing is incredibly open. While he isn't like anyone I ever met (poetry-writing, dictionary-reading, deeply religious virgin), at the same time he's just like everyone I know (smart, witty, confused, vulnerable). I imagine this book would be fun for anyone to read. I couldn't put it down, it was a lot of fun. Highly recommended!

Laugh-out-loud, heartwarming behind-the-scenes memoir from one quirky guy!

David Dickerson has a funny tale to tell about his struggle to find acceptance, romance and happiness in the corporate, straight-laced world of Hallmark in Kansas City as a gift card writer (a job he initially seems destined for) - and he tells it delightfully and with no holds barred! He's a funny, creative, nerdy, socially inept, academic know-it-all, naive-to-real-life, hyper and guiltily, horny 28-year old engaged-to-be-married virgin who was raised in an extremely conservative Christian home - who's now out on his own and trying to find himself. Though few people may be able to relate entirely to all of that combined into one quirky being, I don't think there's anyone that won't be able to relate to him or his story of his awkward and fun attempts to accomplish his missions while at Hallmark: 1) To fit into the Hallmark corporate world - and somehow succeed or at least be accepted. 2) But, simultaneously to find friends, and overcome his loneliness without losing who he is in this staider world and in a brand new town where he knows no one. 3) To find and keep true love, romance and some good sex that will rid him of his virginity 4) While simultaneously figuring out how to make the puritan beliefs he was raised upon and his raging testosterone and sex drive to happily co-exist. BOTTOM LINE: This is a fun journey to share with him, and a great behind-the-scenes look at the unexpected Hallmark world of creating cards. If you've ever worked in the corporate world, felt lonely, or like a peg that hasn't found it's properly fitted hole in either work, love or friendship (and who hasn't?) - than I think you'll enjoy this fun, heartwarming and just a little bit crazy, quirky (like Dickerson himself) tale.