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matthewwester's review
4.0
Solid 4 stars from this collection of short stories, hand-picked by Mr. David Sedaris. It's always hard to know how to review a book of short stories by many authors so I'll just say what I always say: several stories will stay with me for a long time and I loved them, a few were terrible and I couldn't wait until they were over, and the rest fell in the middle somewhere.
Don't get this book expecting everything to be humorous. These stories have real punch. Good stuff.
Don't get this book expecting everything to be humorous. These stories have real punch. Good stuff.
cadenceann's review
5.0
A wonderful exploration of the struggles and surprising delights of the human experience
cadenceann's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
One of my very favorite collections, the Tobias Wolf story literally changed my life
apokras's review
2.0
This is a collection of Sedaris’ favorite short stories. Honestly, I read it less than two months ago and perhaps only two stories stuck with me. Meh.
achedester's review
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
myrabbitisadog's review
2.0
I am a pretty big fan of David Sedaris so when I read this I was thinking it was going to be a collection of his short stories, which is surely a failing on my part and I feel silly thinking about it now. The stories were pretty good but not all of them were stories that I found as appealing and entertaining as Sedaris could be, which is an unfair assumption right off the bat. Still it is interesting to see what inspires such a great writer.
heyitstim's review
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
"Cosmopolitan" was incredibly strong as well
sarahbrarian's review
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
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.