Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
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Book Reviews of Me Talk Pretty One Day
Book Review: Off kilter humor for nearly anyone
Summary: 5 Stars
I was in a college course for Education majors about Sociocultural studies in education. A classmate read the short story entitled "Jesus Shaves" from Sedaris' book. The whole class was in stitches. This particular piece is about Sedaris' struggles in an American school in Paris where the students (all from differing cultures) are struggling with the concept of Christianity. I thought this story was absolutely hilarious and was on a mission to purchase the book for myself and read the rest of Sedaris' anecdotes.
Upon actually procuring the book, I learned that the theme of the book is sort of an autobiographical sketch of Sedaris' own trials and tribulations in life, starting with his problems in primary school (talking about his lisp) and extending into his adulthood (with situations dealing with his sexuality).
The book is wrought with humor, some more off color than others... for instance "Big Boy" is an entire story about a piece of excrement. Don't let this scare you away, though. Weaved into each of Sedaris' tales is a lesson to be learned, though presented in a comical manner.
After having my mom read "Jesus Shaves" she confronted me with the usual, "What did you take from this?," and gave me insight to a more morally based meaning of Sedaris' retoric. Thinking back, all of his tales in this book have a deeper, more serious message that we all can learn from, and appreciate.
Book Review: Fear and Self-Loathing...
Summary: 5 Stars
I think this is quite possibly the funniest book I've ever read! David Sedaris trawls through his life and up-bringing to deliver hilarious observations and stories, describing failures, foibles and more failures in minute detail. He has an eye for the little things, the tiny events and ironies that make up this cruel world, and a knack of abstracting ad absurdea. He paints a very self-deprecating, lovingly shambolic picture of himself through his writings, and it's the real identification with his character that causes you to laugh when he laughs and laugh when he cries.My favourite story is called "Big Boy" and details his attempts to use the bathroom at a garden party. It's insane that three pages can be this funny! I read it on an airplane and I was crying with laughter, much the the discomfort of the stranger sitting beside me. You need to read it and see...
I'm not sure this book is for everyone though - if you're a conservative, homophobic, new-york-hater you'll find it hard to identify with the author, and therefore the humour might be lost, but you should probably read it anyway to cure yourself of your conservatism and homophobia...
My favourite line details his experience with speech therapy classes in school, "They should've put a sign above the door saying "Future Homosexuals of America"...". If you think that's outrageously funny then you'll love this book...
Book Review: Sedaris at his very best!
Summary: 5 Stars
This was the first book by David Sedaris that I read, and unfortunately, it now has become the book by which all of his other works are judged. I agree with the majority of the reviews that this is probably his best work. Each essay is funnier than the previous and it's easy to fly through half of this book in one sitting because you don't want to stop.
It seems that most people either love Sedaris or don't get his style of humor. The punchlines aren't 'in-your-face' and require a bit of thought in order to appreciate. Put yourself in his shoes and you'll enjoy the essays even more. If you can handle the subjects and language, then essays like You Can't Kill the Rooster, The Youth in Asia, and I'll Eat What He's Wearing will leave you laughing and gasping for air... unless of course, you don't have the awesome sense of humor that you think you do... in which case, you probably won't be able to finish this book.
Several months after reading this, I had the desire to re-read it, but instead bought the audio book, which is read by the author. It's a completely different experience, but hilarious to hear the stories straight from David's mouth. Whether you're reading it or listening to it, there's no wrong way to consume Me Talk Pretty One Day.
If this is your first Sedaris experience, as it was for me, and you're hungry for more, I recommend Holidays on Ice as the follow up.
Book Review: Sedaris can't kill the rooster
Summary: 5 Stars
The rooster is what I call myself whenput in a threatening situation. David Sedaris has tried to kill the rooster. Twice. One time, I was in the Seattle Airport eating some recommended by Oprah fried chicken,and I waslaughing so hard at Barrel Fever that I actually choked on Oprah's chicken and had to pull a bone out of my throat. The rooster choked on chicken. ........Well, the second time Sedaris almost killed me was last week when I was reading the story "You Can't kill The Rooster". This is a story about his brother who is so very different from the rest of his family. This is a masterwork in storytelling and and character. I was laughing so hard that I nearly died.....People argue that Sedaris is inconsistent. I certainly didn't laugh out loud at all the pieces but I did at least thirty percent of them. I really can't think of a time I have laughed at thirty percent of anything........In this world of guarded storytelling, Sedaris is not afraid to show his warts, his families blemishes, and the world's scabs. Whether it be teaching,tourism,fancy restaurants, Easter(Jesus Shaves in another hilarious piece)or living in a foreign country,Sedaris consistently translates the plight of the odd man out in such a way that you laugh until you choke on a chicken bone, but you can't help but think about the pieces for a while after. ...This is a highly hilarious and recommendable work.Book Review: Carla Benedek
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is close to a masterpiece. David Sedaris convinced me that I don't have to be an important or exciting person to be a good writer. He finds material and humor in the most unlikely yet obvious places, places I never thought of looking. He creates vivid pictures of his family,most of all of his father. Sedaris describes his father's obsession with saving everything in a colorful and entertaining manner. "He hid pastries in the toolshed and the laundry room and then he wondered where all the ants were coming from...he hides these things...until they are rotten. Ant ehn he eats them." What I found truly amuzing was the chapter entitled "Jesus Shaves" and how translating sayings or titles in other languages makes them awkward and confusing. When trying to explain the significance of Easter to a Moroccan student in French class all the student got was something about "A dead man with long hair supposedly living with her father, a leg of lamb served with palm fronds and chocolate." I read this book in one day and it's definetely a page-turner. The pages are filled with emotion, ranging from the pain of losing a pet to the feeling of surrender and "all-mightiness" of being on speed. Sedaris does a great job of molding his life from little anecdotes. He not only exposes his life to the reader, he also adds in smart reflections on life and people's actions and behaviors.