Nonfiction: Hello, Molly! by Molly Shannon

This may have been mentioned before, but I am absolutely loving all of the nonfiction 2022 has to offer. Today I ventured back into the world of memoirs with Hello, Molly! by Saturday Night Live alum Molly Shannon. In the book, Shannon shares what is was like growing up with a single father in Ohio, her transition to college in New York City, and ultimately, what it took to achieve her dreams as an actress.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a memoir that begins on the fateful night that Shannon lost her mother, baby sister Katie, and her cousin Fran in her terrible car accident. Her grief-ridden father, who was behind the wheel at the time of the accident, would now face the difficult task of raising Shannon and her older sister Mary on his own. For the most part the story is told in chronological order, with the occasional jump forward to supplement a story, or a jump backwards to fill in some details. Shannon talks openly about the early years of living in a comparatively lenient household, and how this would later lend to her particular style of comedy and some of the bold characters she would later come to play. The journey was rarely easy and often difficult, but Shannon faces it as it was, letting audiences see exactly what it took for her to land where she is today. And if there is one other main character of this book besides the author, it would be the father who raised her and her sister while also trying to manage his own grief, and also alcoholism. 

My Verdict: Probably the main thing that struck me about this book was how straightforward and honest Shannon is. Sure, it's a memoir, so honesty is expected. But Shannon's approach is almost to provide little commentary on the events that happened. She does not seem to have an axe to grind, or a desire to call anyone out, or embarrass anyone. Like most people, she had her fair share of tough life events, difficult relationships, and of course, crappy jobs in Los Angeles as she was trying to make it as an actress. And there are plenty of celebrity names that are mentioned that readers will recognize, but it is never simply for the sake of mentioning a celebrity. Every mention serves a purpose, as does every wild story. 

Favorite Moment: Being able to learn exactly how some of Shannon's most well-known characters came to be was interesting, particularly Mary Katharine Gallagher and Sally O'Malley.

Recommended Reading: I have read a few memoirs by various Saturday Night Live alumni, and while none of them disappoint, Steve Martin's Born Standing Up remains my favorite.