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David Sedaris writes with such ease, honesty, and brilliant self constraint, that you are never left floundering through the pretentious over-writing of many young authors. His wit is dry, his tongue is never mean or rude, as he wisely lets the characters arround him curse or act ugly. Not once did I find a story boring or long as one does in many collections. The Smoking Section and The Man in The Hut are my favorites. Hi delicious descriptions of Japan an then Normandy place you right there with him, experiencing his curious never cruel take on events, places, and people who you can imagine knowing. This is a book which will have you laughing out loud. And the twisted description of this writer as being in your face gay and crude is an absolute mis-truth. He writes as a person who happens to be gay, as would any confident author would write if thye happened to be straight. With these low prices, you really can't beat this book. If you enjoy humour, travel, or biography, this will be a great treat.Read full review
I only just started reading this book, but I have read a good deal of David Sedaris books and articles in the past. So far this is just as entertaining as I was expecting it to be. Be prepared to laugh because the author is a humorist and has a wonderful perspective on most everything.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Skip "When You Are Engulfed In Flames"; I wish I did. It was a gift, so I felt obligated to read it in it's entirety. It was a real chore, though. The back cover has half a dozen quotes attesting to this book's hilarity, but the only smile I cracked was when I reached page 326 (it's that blank page at the end of the book that let's you know you're finished). Sedaris should have put more energy into making his essays funny instead of reminding the reader of his homosexuality every three or four pages. It got old quick. Here's an example of this "comic genius" at work: (I'm opening the book to a random page) In an essay titled "The Smoking Section" (not meaning the designated smoking areas in restaurants or bars... it's the smoking section of the book! Get it? Ha ha ha! Hold on, I've got to hold my sides together so they don't split), Sedaris mentions his predilection for certain crackers because they "taste like penis". Umm... sure, pal. You're gay, point taken. Bon appetit! Can we move on now? Granted, Sedaris is in Norway and might not appreciate how snack food that tastes like private parts never really caught on in the states. I've never heard anyone say, "These cookies taste like ass... give me another!" Whatever. Sedaris' compulsion to constantly refer to his homosexuality is detrimental to the flow of his work. Mark Twain wouldn't be Mark Twain if he felt he had to proclaim his heterosexuality every couple of pages (ex: "Gee, Tom, this cornbread's a little dry. Let's go find Becky Thatcher and dip it in her vagina!" said Huck). See what I mean? Again, don't bother with this book. It's the first one of his I've read, but there won't be another. I've wasted enough of my time on this guy. Thanks for reading.Read full review
Look, David Sedaris is one funny hombre, and people should celebrate the world over that this guy exists, writes, and is published in multiple languages. He's not funny the sort of "ha ha" way you expect a comic you pay $40 to go see. Instead, he's funny in a more muted sort of way that also captures the variety of emotions we live through. He's willing to paint himself in a less-than-likable sort of way, as though we are all viewing the antics of some bizarre civilization that has just been discovered. While there wasn't a single story in this collection that caused me to roll on the floor in laughter, like "6 to 10 Black Men" or "Me Talk Pretty One Day," the whole collection is very funny, and I think this might be my favorite Sedaris book. I highly recommend it.
Thanks!!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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