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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
I always recommend listening to David Sedaris versus reading David Sedaris, and while that holds true here (there are even some chapters pulled from live shows), you can't go wrong either way. He's a master story teller and these are his greatest hits, along with a few previously-unpublished essays that lean more toward the tender, insightful side than the comical, over-the-top side. Oh, to be a guest at a Sedaris family reunion...
Sedaris is at his best when reading to a live audience. So many great pieces in this book, easy to read them in his distinctive voice.
10 French language courses out of 10
10 French language courses out of 10
This makes me sad, but I just couldn't listen to this. I don't know if I've gotten more more sensitive or he's gotten more biting, or maybe it's just not a great time in the world for ridiculing people for fun?
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
At his best, Sedaris has a brilliant mix of laugh out loud humor and piquant poignancy. His insights into human foibles and worse, usually using himself as his model are often illuminating for all of us (or at least me). I feel the further connection to his love of family coming from a family of five kids myself with joyful, foundational and complicated relations.
Never the less, what does it say that I remembered so little of so many of the stories I know I had read earlier.
Never the less, what does it say that I remembered so little of so many of the stories I know I had read earlier.
I hadn't really read anything by David Sedaris before so I didn't know what to expect. A relative gave me their copy to borrow, saying it was an enjoyable read.
I almost stopped reading it mid-way through. Reading is an escape for me and so I tend to prefer optimistic storylines and characters that increase my faith in humanity. But the first half of this book left me feeling pretty depressed. While the people David encounters are portrayed with humor, it's a biting humor that points out deep flaws in both individuals and our culture. It left me feeling raw and unguarded, like a wounded teenager noticing all the worst sides of people for the first time. To protect my sanity, this is not a mental state I seek out.
Since it was recommended to me by someone close I continued to read through to the end. In the second half, the story focused more on the immediate family dynamics as David and his siblings confront getting older and ghosts in the closet. While not a classic "redemption story" by any means, as the story progressed I felt more kinship to the family and glimpsed a slightly more positive view of humanity.
At the midway point, I would have given this 3 stars, maybe, but sticking with it to the end raised it to a decent 4 stars.
I almost stopped reading it mid-way through. Reading is an escape for me and so I tend to prefer optimistic storylines and characters that increase my faith in humanity. But the first half of this book left me feeling pretty depressed. While the people David encounters are portrayed with humor, it's a biting humor that points out deep flaws in both individuals and our culture. It left me feeling raw and unguarded, like a wounded teenager noticing all the worst sides of people for the first time. To protect my sanity, this is not a mental state I seek out.
Since it was recommended to me by someone close I continued to read through to the end. In the second half, the story focused more on the immediate family dynamics as David and his siblings confront getting older and ghosts in the closet. While not a classic "redemption story" by any means, as the story progressed I felt more kinship to the family and glimpsed a slightly more positive view of humanity.
At the midway point, I would have given this 3 stars, maybe, but sticking with it to the end raised it to a decent 4 stars.
Listened to some old favorites as well as heard some new favorites. Sedaris is best when listened to.
I listened to the audiobook and loved it. Sedaris is hysterical and his delivery is spot on. I've always loved his work, but hearing him read it is my favorite. If you see a red head alone in her car and laughing hysterically, it's probably me running some mundane errand and listening to a Sedaris audiobook.