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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
Just what i needed, some super belly laughing, then crying, then laughing again with David Sedaris. Many stories are repeats from other books but i found myself laughing just as hard as the first time. <3 Please do the audio, he is the best storyteller. (the interview at the end of the work is quite special)
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
I bought this book years ago without knowing who David Sedaris was or what I was getting myself into, but finally picked it up this fall and I am so glad I did! I started reading it because I got to attend a live show of his, in which he read aloud some recent and unpublished essays including "A Long Way Home" in The New Yorker. It really is an irreplaceable experience—his words jump off the page when spoken in his voice.
Beyond the satirical fiction tidbits, I loved the compilation of personal essays, especially those that made me both laugh and cry. Despite writing about the most absurd, unique stories and experiences, Sedaris is able to capture various notions of the human spirit and "characters" that seem to exist in all of our lives in some way, shape, or form. My favorite pieces were the ones he wrote about his family, because he has such a special way of expressing love in spite of flaws. Cannot wait to continue reading and listening to more of his work.
Laugh out loud favorites: Me talk pretty one day, Jesus shaves, and Standing by.
Funny favorites with a deeper meaning: You can't kill the rooster, Us and them, Laugh kookaburra, A guy walks into a bar car, A house divided, A modest proposal, and Unbuttoned.
Favorites with tears: Let it snow, The ship shape, Now we are five, Leviathan, and Why aren't you laughing?
Beyond the satirical fiction tidbits, I loved the compilation of personal essays, especially those that made me both laugh and cry. Despite writing about the most absurd, unique stories and experiences, Sedaris is able to capture various notions of the human spirit and "characters" that seem to exist in all of our lives in some way, shape, or form. My favorite pieces were the ones he wrote about his family, because he has such a special way of expressing love in spite of flaws. Cannot wait to continue reading and listening to more of his work.
Laugh out loud favorites: Me talk pretty one day, Jesus shaves, and Standing by.
Funny favorites with a deeper meaning: You can't kill the rooster, Us and them, Laugh kookaburra, A guy walks into a bar car, A house divided, A modest proposal, and Unbuttoned.
Favorites with tears: Let it snow, The ship shape, Now we are five, Leviathan, and Why aren't you laughing?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Suicide, Medical content
Moderate: Death, Death of parent
I highly recommend the audiobook, as David Sedaris reads his stories and delivers them just as they should be!
I just love David Sedaris. This is a great collection!
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
I've heard most of these before, or read them. I liked this collection in that it maps Sedaris' maturing as a writer, his movement to much deeper work, but still with the kind of humor that is signature Sedaris.
This collection of Sedaris's best essays was a listening treat. If you haven't read Sedaris, this is a good introduction, plus on the audiobook, is an enlightening and entertaining interview of him.
It gets MUCH better. The first few seem just odd and out of place but as he incorporates more of his family short stories it gets really good. He makes me want to write which I take as a sign of a wonderful writer and storyteller. This is also read by him which is great and it finishes with an interview of him talking about pandemic life which is crazy but also delightful. Would recommend if you are into simultaneously sad and hilarious short stories.