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casspro's review against another edition
4.0
This is my fiance's version of A Christmas Carol. It's a family tradition that they listen to the Santaland Diaries every year for Christmas. It's a funny, witty, and vicious look at the ridiculousness of Christmas and I loved every minute of it.
midnight_roses's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
I really loved the first section which is what I thought the whole book was about, the rest was very hit or miss
mgouker's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoy David Sedaris's humor. This story has a very original perspective on the holiday season. The protagonist is a Macy's elf, Crumpet/Blisters, and - through him - we get a behind-the-scenes look at the business of manufactured levity.
There is a bitter tone to much of the story, and it's a useful vehicle for us to dress in the skin of the elf, to make it all more believable. It's very credible, especially the anecdotes about how the outrageous parents and their needful children live without regard to the people around them. The elves and santas, of course, forge bonds to get through alive.
A lot of the humor stretches the imagination. Transposing Santa and Satan for example... "Satan will be right with you." "Sure! Everyone loves Satan!" That just couldn't happen, right? But there is enough purchase of credibility that, well, maybe it could have. Oh, I forget this is all a story, but no, it's non-fiction. This is a memoir. No, I just can't believe it. The kid peeing in the fake ice, sure... even the "Your pictures will be ready August 10."
And, yes, you can hear an excerpt on "This American Life." It's well worth it. I think they do it sometimes on "Morning Edition" too.
What else? There are other short stories too? Mine just has the one. The story about the Christmas whore sounds great!
Anyway, this is good stuff. I don't know why I read it in August, but it seems appropriate. Next time I see a photo elf, I'm going to give him/her a thumbs up.
There is a bitter tone to much of the story, and it's a useful vehicle for us to dress in the skin of the elf, to make it all more believable. It's very credible, especially the anecdotes about how the outrageous parents and their needful children live without regard to the people around them. The elves and santas, of course, forge bonds to get through alive.
A lot of the humor stretches the imagination. Transposing Santa and Satan for example... "Satan will be right with you." "Sure! Everyone loves Satan!" That just couldn't happen, right? But there is enough purchase of credibility that, well, maybe it could have. Oh, I forget this is all a story, but no, it's non-fiction. This is a memoir. No, I just can't believe it. The kid peeing in the fake ice, sure... even the "Your pictures will be ready August 10."
And, yes, you can hear an excerpt on "This American Life." It's well worth it. I think they do it sometimes on "Morning Edition" too.
What else? There are other short stories too? Mine just has the one. The story about the Christmas whore sounds great!
Anyway, this is good stuff. I don't know why I read it in August, but it seems appropriate. Next time I see a photo elf, I'm going to give him/her a thumbs up.
perlstein's review against another edition
5.0
People are terrible. Especially during special times, like weddings, holidays, and especially Christmas. Santaland Diaries tells David Sedarisā stories working as a Christmas elf in "Santaland" at Macy's department store. The true stories of the truly awful people fail to really surprise, but still entertain. Like would you be surprised a mother waiting to see Santa instructed her son to pee in the fake snow? Of course not. But do you still cringe and want to know more like a car wreck on the side of the freeway. Yes! From parents requesting not to see the āchocolate Santa,ā to co-workers who aggressively hit on moms, this book has all the greatest hits of customer service nightmares. A fun stroll down repressed-memory lane for anyone who has ever worked in retail, and have been paid to keep the plebeians happy.
aphonusbalonus's review against another edition
5.0
Sedaris does it again! Masterfully hilarious and never leaving a boring moment.
jeffmauch's review against another edition
4.0
Tis the season, so why not read a short essay on David Sedaris's experiences being an elf in SantaLand one Christmas. I really enjoy David Sedaris, but you can tell this is one of his earlier writings and that he may be trying just a bit to hard to be funny. It won't blow you away, but it definitely shows promise in his writing ability that we see in his later works.
ferr05's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.0
I thought this book was supposed to be funny. It wasn't.