Reviews

Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules by David Sedaris

heyitstim's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.25

If I can ever write something 1% as good as "In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson is Buried", I will die a happy man.

"Cosmopolitan" was incredibly strong as well 

sarahbrarian's review against another edition

4.0

I'm a big fan of the short story compilation, be it by one writer or, as in this case, a variety of different authors. I love David Sedaris (I first heard of this book when I saw him speak on a tour to promote "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim"). He has a keen storytelling ability, and a sharp sense for impeccable writing in others, also.

notoriouszoe's review against another edition

4.0

Not Sedaris's writing, but a collection chosen by him. They were good stories, but might be disappointing if you're in the mood for Sedaris instead.

menniemenace's review

3.0

That "Bullet to the Brain" story is so good. Everything else wasn't really that impressive.

galentorrey's review against another edition

4.0

entertaining, funny and twisted---as always. read this in one day...quick read.

nicolec417's review against another edition

3.0

I decided to stop this with two stories left. The collection had some really strong pieces, and I can see how David Sedaris is inspired by some of these, but others were dull and just haven't stayed in my brain long enough to make an impression.

pipercurda's review against another edition

3.0

sedaris is one of my favorites and I mistakenly thought this was another of his books. in fact, it is a collection of essays and short stories that are some of sedaris’ favorites and, upon learning this, i was still just as intrigued to read the words that someone I enjoy enjoys.

some of the stories were great, some were less great. there wasn’t much cohesiveness, though I’m not sure that should be expected of an anthology. more than anything, it was good exposure to some more prolific writers that i’ve yet to read.

would give 3.5 stars if possible.

rhiannoncs's review against another edition

2.0

This was a fine collection - some stories I had read, most I hadn't. A lot of the selections are very much what one expects from the "literary short story" - starkly written stories about children learning a hard life lesson, adults struggling with the futility of daily existence, etc. Not that there's anything wrong with those kinds of stories per se, but I sort of felt like I had already read this book at least once a semester for the five years I worked on my English degree, if you know what I mean.

There were a couple of standouts for me, though - "The Best of Betty" springs to mind.

judyward's review against another edition

4.0

One of the reasons that I love David Sedaris is that he shares my love of reading and books. In his introduction, Sedaris reflected about books and wrote that, in his opinion, "a good one would take me out of myself and then stuff me back in, outsized, now, and uneasy with the fit. This led to a kind of trance that made the dullest work, the dullest life, bearable." And he claimed that "I believed, and still do, that stories can save you." Exactly! David Sedaris wrote the introduction to this book and he has picked his favorite short stories to be enjoyed by readers. The authors are as varied as the stories and include Alice Munro, Dorothy Parker, Tobias Wolff, Lorrie Moore, Patricia Highsmith, and Flannery O'Connor. I picked up this book expecting it to be authored by David Sedaris and, after my initial surprise, found myself engrossed in the wonderful short fiction.

lizburny's review against another edition

4.0

It's difficult to rate a compilation of stories such as this. There were several 5 star short stories, a slew of 4s, and a couple of 2s. Overall, I loved it and it gave me a great list of authors whose work I want to pursue.