Scan barcode
rockythefreak's review against another edition
I thought I would enjoy this book, since the titular essay was an interesting assignment in one of my college classes. Well, if you think racism, ableism, child abuse, and gay stereotyping is funny, you'll love the first three chapters of this audiobook.
When Sedaris' is the butt of the joke, it calls to mind unfunny teenagers that self-deprecate to garner a pity laugh. When others are the butt of a joke, he's punching down, like when he mocks Japanese children's accents and the clothes his guitar teacher wears since he's a little person.
One truly disgusting "joke" suggests (child sexual abuse)someone abusing him emotionally would enjoy mutilating children's genitals.
Run, don't walk, away from this garbage. I'm glad for what I got out of the one essay I enjoyed. This shit aged like milk.
When Sedaris' is the butt of the joke, it calls to mind unfunny teenagers that self-deprecate to garner a pity laugh. When others are the butt of a joke, he's punching down, like when he mocks Japanese children's accents and the clothes his guitar teacher wears since he's a little person.
One truly disgusting "joke" suggests (child sexual abuse)
Run, don't walk, away from this garbage. I'm glad for what I got out of the one essay I enjoyed. This shit aged like milk.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Racism, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Ableism, Body shaming, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Animal death, Homophobia, and Outing
majestictrilobite's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Addiction, and Drug use
Minor: Racism
jrisants's review against another edition
1.0
UUgggghhhhh.
I really just wanted a fun book that would make me laugh. Apparently, this was too tall an order. The stories are...inflated at best, and completely false at worst. Even if the stories are real, it seems clear that his sister Amy has better stories and humor. These grievances aren't even the worst of it, what I couldn't stand was the embedded ableism, racism, and sexism. It was subtle and too much at the same time. I'm so tired of comedy that only knows how to joke at the expense of marginalized folks. If you can't punch up, don't take the jab. The only chapter that really got me giggling was "I'll Eat what He's Wearing." While I was reading I kept thinking that this is what it must have been like to be raised by a white upper-middle-class father who thought he was funny.
Someone, please recommend something funny that avoids harm.
I really just wanted a fun book that would make me laugh. Apparently, this was too tall an order. The stories are...inflated at best, and completely false at worst. Even if the stories are real, it seems clear that his sister Amy has better stories and humor. These grievances aren't even the worst of it, what I couldn't stand was the embedded ableism, racism, and sexism. It was subtle and too much at the same time. I'm so tired of comedy that only knows how to joke at the expense of marginalized folks. If you can't punch up, don't take the jab. The only chapter that really got me giggling was "I'll Eat what He's Wearing." While I was reading I kept thinking that this is what it must have been like to be raised by a white upper-middle-class father who thought he was funny.
Someone, please recommend something funny that avoids harm.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Racism
abmochapman's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
2.0
I used to love this collection when I was a kid, listening to the audiobook on longer car rides with my aunt and uncle. Now, though, much of the comedy I once enjoyed falls flat. I may have let out a puff of air at a few of the more clever lines, but that was it. Now that i’m older, the mere existence of communists or short people is not enough to make me laugh and it’s much more difficult to find humor in cheap jokes about not being straight or white. I don’t mean that Me Talk Pretty One Day is egregiously offensive, but that the content has aged quite poorly and I’ve raised my standards. While I might be interested in reading Sedaris’s newer work because I still appreciate his dry, sardonic voice, this is not a book I’d be likely to recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Minor: Racism
cassie_04's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
3.5
Very interesting structure, very funny and relaxing to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Racial slurs, and Racism
More...