Dear Prudence Liberating lessons from Slate.com's beloved advice column

Slate's advice-giving Prudence fields questions about relationships, work dilemmas, social faux pas, and just about everything else. Lavery (Something That May Shock and Discredit You, 2020) was the fourth Prudence, beginning in 2015 and passing the torch in 2021. Under his tenure, Prudie's advice was modern and informed but presented with enough of the gentility and clever turns of phrase of the classic advice-givers to endear the column to a wide readership. Collected here are some of his favorite letters with notes on those that kept him up at night, those he wished he'd answered differently, and those he still hopes had happy endings. The collection is organized thematically, and Lavery winds his own life experience through the commentary, including his estrangement from his family and his gender transition. As he transitioned mid-tenure, many questions involve transitioning or the LGBTQ+ community. Across the board, this retrospective is entertaining and comforting. Answers for those hurting are affirming, gentle, and knowledgeable, but for those on the other side, his wit is on full display and his biting responses satisfyingly pull no punches.