Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea Summary

10 questions on the main ideas. Each answer comes with a short explanation.

Take it one question at a time

1. Question 1

   What unusual discovery does Chelsea make about one of her boyfriends that leads her to appeal to 'vodka'?

   1. He was secretly married to another woman.
   2. He was having an affair with a Peekapoo.
   3. He stole her entire liquor cabinet.
   4. He was secretly a magician who made her money disappear.
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   B. He was having an affair with a Peekapoo. One of the opening anecdotes in the book describes Chelsea discovering her boyfriend was having an affair with a Peekapoo, prompting her humorous appeal to vodka.

2. Question 2

   What elaborate lie does Chelsea tell her third-grade class?

   1. That she was moving to Hollywood to become a child star.
   2. That she was going to be Goldie Hawn's daughter in a sequel to 'Private Benjamin'.
   3. That her parents were actually secret agents.
   4. That she had a pet lion at home.
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   B. That she was going to be Goldie Hawn's daughter in a sequel to 'Private Benjamin'. Chelsea recounts convincing her third-grade classmates that she had been cast as Goldie Hawn's daughter in a 'Private Benjamin' sequel, showcasing her early knack for fabrication.

3. Question 3

   What unconventional strategy does Chelsea use to try and get upgraded to first class on a flight?

   1. Pretending to be a famous celebrity.
   2. Claiming to be a secret shopper for the airline.
   3. Feigning a medical emergency.
   4. Pretending to be on her honeymoon with her father.
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   D. Pretending to be on her honeymoon with her father. One of the absurd situations Chelsea finds herself in involves pretending to be on her honeymoon with her own father to secure a first-class upgrade.

4. Question 4

   What is the primary characteristic that defines Chelsea Handler's comedic voice in the book?

   1. Subtle irony and understated humor.
   2. Slapstick and physical comedy.
   3. Candor, quick wit, and a deliciously skewed perspective.
   4. In-depth political commentary.
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   C. Candor, quick wit, and a deliciously skewed perspective. The book description explicitly states that Chelsea's comedic voice is defined by 'candor and irresistible turns of phrase' and a 'deliciously skewed collection' of stories, emphasizing her quick wit.

5. Question 5

   Chelsea Handler's 'higher power' for getting things off her chest is humorously identified as what?

   1. Her therapist.
   2. Her best friend.
   3. Vodka.
   4. A daily journal.
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   C. Vodka. The title itself, 'Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea,' directly indicates that vodka serves as her humorous 'higher power' when she needs to vent.

6. Question 6

   What is Chelsea's stated rationale for dating a redhead?

   1. She found them inherently more attractive.
   2. She was trying to be more egalitarian.
   3. It was a dare from her friends.
   4. She had a specific celebrity crush who was a redhead.
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   B. She was trying to be more egalitarian. The synopsis mentions Chelsea 'deciding to be more egalitarian by dating a redhead,' highlighting her unique and often humorous approach to relationships.

7. Question 7

   The book primarily draws its content from which aspects of Chelsea Handler's life?

   1. Her political activism and social commentary.
   2. Her family, relationships, and career experiences.
   3. Her academic pursuits and intellectual theories.
   4. Her childhood fantasies and dreams.
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   B. Her family, relationships, and career experiences. The description states that Chelsea 'mines her past for stories about her family, relationships, and career,' which are the core subjects of her memoir.

8. Question 8

   What recurring theme about Chelsea's character is emphasized by her knack for getting into outrageous situations?

   1. Her shyness and introversion.
   2. Her meticulous planning and caution.
   3. Her ability to navigate and often create absurdity with a quick wit.
   4. Her desire for a quiet and unremarkable life.
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   C. Her ability to navigate and often create absurdity with a quick wit. The text highlights that Chelsea 'has a knack for getting herself into the most outrageous situations' and that 'a quick wit is the best line of defense' in her world where 'absurdity reigns supreme,' indicating her active role in and response to chaos.

9. Question 9

   The book is described as 'deliciously skewed.' What does this imply about Chelsea Handler's narrative style?

   1. It is factually inaccurate and unreliable.
   2. It presents events from a unique, often unconventional and humorous, perspective.
   3. It is overly complicated and difficult to follow.
   4. It is biased towards political viewpoints.
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   B. It presents events from a unique, often unconventional and humorous, perspective. 'Deliciously skewed' suggests that her perspective is intentionally off-kilter and entertaining, offering a non-traditional, humorous view of her experiences rather than a straightforward, objective account.

10. Question 10

    What characteristic is attributed to the 'foulmouthed, rum-swilling little person' Chelsea looks out for, and what does this scenario reveal about her humor?

    1. The person is a fictional character, revealing her imaginative storytelling.
    2. The person looks 'just like her... only smaller,' revealing her self-deprecating and absurd humor.
    3. The person is a close family member, showing her protective nature.
    4. The person is a pet, indicating her love for animals.
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    B. The person looks 'just like her... only smaller,' revealing her self-deprecating and absurd humor. The description specifically notes this character 'looks just like her... only smaller,' which is a classic example of Chelsea Handler's self-deprecating, observational, and absurd humor, often involving exaggerated or unusual comparisons to herself.