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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
I finished this a few days ago, and I already can't remember all that I wanted to say about this collection of short stories and essays by David Sedaris. I was not familiar with David Sedaris when I got this audio book. I think I must have picked it up on sale last year at some point, and because I'm a fan of all things Christmas I thought I'd give it a go. My two star rating probably makes it seem like I didn't really enjoy listening to this, but that's not exactly true. It was okay. There were some stories I laughed out loud for. There were several where I knew that I was supposed to be laughing out loud, but it didn't quite hit me as funny enough for that. And then there was one that I'm still scratching my head about. There is this genre of comedy/jokes that ... well, I don't even know how to describe it ... I guess it is something so over the top and inappropriate that the humor is that it is absolutely nothing that anyone would joke about. Seriously, I can't describe it. It's not like stupid middle school humor where emerging adolescents giggle over talking about sex jokes or stuff like that, but maybe it's more of the adult version of that. I hesitate to say more because I seriously am not sure that I totally understood what I was listening to. I'm going to share it with my daughter and son-in-law to see if this short story was saying what I thought I was hearing. So, anyway ... the verdicts out on that one.
Here's what I'll say ... I can see why there are lots of people out there who are David Sedaris fans. I wonder how old some of these stories are because he uses words like "retarded" pretty liberally in some of these stories, and that is highly inappropriate these days. It was jarring to hear it spoken so casually in a way it was when I was in school. It made me think some of these stories must have been written in the 70s and 80s and not more recently. I couldn't quite get into them enough to find it all that enjoyable, but there were some moments of keen social commentary and touching humor to keep me engaged until the end. Like I say ... two stars. It was okay.
Here's what I'll say ... I can see why there are lots of people out there who are David Sedaris fans. I wonder how old some of these stories are because he uses words like "retarded" pretty liberally in some of these stories, and that is highly inappropriate these days. It was jarring to hear it spoken so casually in a way it was when I was in school. It made me think some of these stories must have been written in the 70s and 80s and not more recently. I couldn't quite get into them enough to find it all that enjoyable, but there were some moments of keen social commentary and touching humor to keep me engaged until the end. Like I say ... two stars. It was okay.
I like the autobio stuff better than the original fiction. The stuff besides "SantaLand diaries" and "Dinah the christmas whore" feel...over-written? if that makes sense
I don't remember a lot about it. It wasn't his best, but it also wasn't his worst.
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am giving up on David Sedaris; maybe its how I am consuming the material. I often find it amusing but the overall voice of the story just never works for me.
Enjoyed listening to the audiobook. Sedaris is a favorite of mine. Love Santaland Diaries. Some of the other stories didn't seem to quite fit with theme. Enjoyed all of them though.
dark
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
This is a short book filled with David Sedaris's witty writing about the Holidays. Most specifically Christmas but Halloween, Easter, Thanksgiving make appearances too. If you need a little help to get through the Holidays, pour yourself a drink, get yourself a snack and open this book. Soon you will laughing and forgetting your troubles.
I read this book shortly after it was published in 1997. At that point I would have given it 4 stars. I took a star away because on this reading it is a bit dated but still very funny. If I could give it 3.5 stars I would.
I read this book shortly after it was published in 1997. At that point I would have given it 4 stars. I took a star away because on this reading it is a bit dated but still very funny. If I could give it 3.5 stars I would.