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janelleaimi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
daylightgate's review against another edition
4.0
I find David Sedaris to be a very cosy writer - he bristles and moans, but I find myself doing the same thing in time. The experience of reading or listening to his books has become something essentially familiar and I keep them on stand-by for depressive days. I find his personality - or at least his persona - inherently charming, and will enjoy essentially any essays he puts out. Consider it a personality flaw on my end.
As to the fiction, I feel like they're going to get a lot of flak; as pieces of straight fiction, they're hardly outstanding. Forensic pieces, though? That is brilliant. Having briefly been a forensics participant, I could just about see the steely-eyed determination of an obviously gay 13-year old boy as he blocks each line. They are what they are to a hilariously perfect pitch.
The dog poem, however....
As to the fiction, I feel like they're going to get a lot of flak; as pieces of straight fiction, they're hardly outstanding. Forensic pieces, though? That is brilliant. Having briefly been a forensics participant, I could just about see the steely-eyed determination of an obviously gay 13-year old boy as he blocks each line. They are what they are to a hilariously perfect pitch.
The dog poem, however....
alidottie's review against another edition
3.0
While overall I find Sedaris to be a funny guy with humorous insights into his life, this book just included too many things that were less funny to me.
wanderingmole's review against another edition
3.0
Mixed bag of essays, the best of which made me laugh out loud. I think “Standing By” was my favourite. Enjoyed listening on audio to Sedaris read them with the tone he intended for them.
jpaul7383's review against another edition
5.0
I listened to this one as an audiobook because hearing the author read this book is a must! I found myself laughing out loud so many times during this book. David is hilarious!