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jennjennsan's review against another edition
4.0
Ok, so in the beginning, I had a really tough time struggling through it. It bounces around a lot and his stories didn't really interest me. Later on in the book I got a bit sucked in and was actually amused more by his story-telling. It is definitely all over the place and reads a bit like someone's random journal thoughts but I'm glad I worked my way through and I know I will be reading a few more of his books just by prior recommendation.
carlyxdeexx's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe I would have liked the audiobook better. Perhaps hearing the humor would have made it more funny for me.
Because I kinda expected to chuckle out loud to myself reading this, and I honestly never did. Not that it isn’t humorous—the humor is just not the kind that got me laughing while reading, which I guess is difficult, to get someone so immersed in a written work that they lose the self-conscious urge to stifle laughter.
But anyway, I think this book will be a hit with some people and just kinda meh for others. Some of the stories really stood out to me—“That’s Amore” was particularly memorable, and “The Smoking Section” was my favorite, but it’s at the very end of the collection! The rest were just okay, though they had their moments. I agree with another reviewer who mentioned that these stories don’t seem finished. I felt I was waiting for a punch line most of the time, and though each story wrapped up with a line that called back to something, that line didn’t seem to deliver anything to me, and so fell flat. Even the ends of the stories I did like didn’t wrap up with the punch I wanted/expected. I finished thinking, “Okay, but what was the point?” And I guess there doesn’t necessarily have to be a point. But there wasn’t anything else distracting me from the lack.
I’d like to read NAKED and ME TALK PRETTY ONE DAY, since I’ve heard they’re the best of Sedaris’s work and this doesn’t seem like it lives up to that.
Because I kinda expected to chuckle out loud to myself reading this, and I honestly never did. Not that it isn’t humorous—the humor is just not the kind that got me laughing while reading, which I guess is difficult, to get someone so immersed in a written work that they lose the self-conscious urge to stifle laughter.
But anyway, I think this book will be a hit with some people and just kinda meh for others. Some of the stories really stood out to me—“That’s Amore” was particularly memorable, and “The Smoking Section” was my favorite, but it’s at the very end of the collection! The rest were just okay, though they had their moments. I agree with another reviewer who mentioned that these stories don’t seem finished. I felt I was waiting for a punch line most of the time, and though each story wrapped up with a line that called back to something, that line didn’t seem to deliver anything to me, and so fell flat. Even the ends of the stories I did like didn’t wrap up with the punch I wanted/expected. I finished thinking, “Okay, but what was the point?” And I guess there doesn’t necessarily have to be a point. But there wasn’t anything else distracting me from the lack.
I’d like to read NAKED and ME TALK PRETTY ONE DAY, since I’ve heard they’re the best of Sedaris’s work and this doesn’t seem like it lives up to that.
whimsicalmeerkat's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this a few years ago, but apparently forgot to indicate that. Basically, it's hilarious. David Sedaris at his irreverent best.
sydneyyylove's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed some of the essays. He is always really butt-hurt when people call him bad names. I read this book because my roommate Will read it and he got it from the library so I could not waste this opportunity. Will read it because Phoebe Bridgers read it. This is all very important information on the book.
Here are my favs and a little synopsis.
The Road Trip, about telling people he’s gay.
That’s Amore, about his neighbor Helen.
The Monster Mashed, about working in the morgue.
Town and Country, about how having money doesn’t make anyone better or more sophisticated than anyone else.
The Man in the Hut, about his friendship with a sex offender.
Here are my favs and a little synopsis.
The Road Trip, about telling people he’s gay.
That’s Amore, about his neighbor Helen.
The Monster Mashed, about working in the morgue.
Town and Country, about how having money doesn’t make anyone better or more sophisticated than anyone else.
The Man in the Hut, about his friendship with a sex offender.
jobustitch's review against another edition
4.0
Checked out the audiobook at the library (playaway). Listening at the gym.
guppyur's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty standard Sedaris, and whether I enjoy that or not is a matter of mood. Like all of his books, it's in turn funny and upsetting.
antmlobo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.5