When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
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Book Reviews of When You Are Engulfed in Flames
Book Review: Sedaris's Flames shine bright
Summary: 5 Stars
David Sedaris has to be one of the greatest writers who ever lived. I say this because while other best-selling writers teach you compelling lessons (David McCullough), encourage your inner conspirator (Dan Brown), show you new and scary worlds (Michael Crichton), or take you off into fantasy (J.K. Rowling), Sedaris writes about the mundane and somehow makes it fascinating. Each of the many stories in his books are like literary candy: short, sweet, and easily digestible. That is not to say that he is entirely frivolous, though the books are far from serious, as at each turn Sedaris is able to make quick incisive quips about the absurd and awkward world he tries in vain to live in.
For those unfamiliar with Sedaris's work, he sort of writes about the way life happens to him. The man on the plane who can't stop crying to the point of it being annoying. Being invited on vacation with the town's child molester. Chronicling his life in time spent not smoking. I started following Dave with Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, back in high school and with the exception of Naked have been impressed by what I read. My inner high school self wants to say that Corduroy is still my favourite, but my 20-something self believes When You Are Engulfed in Flames, is his masterpiece.
Read it.
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Book Review: Very Gay
Summary: 5 Stars
David Sedaris reminds me of two other American essayists who wrote with sly, self-deprecating humor: Robert Benchley and James Thurber. But Sedaris has a way of engaging a wide range of human emotions: disgust at the parasite boring out of one's skin, nostalgia for a past before one's own time, embarrassment at the truck driver's indecent proposal, stoicism in the struggle to quit smoking, etc.
Sedaris has a talent for making us laugh at him and through him at the larger absurdity of modern life. He's very matter of fact about being gay and being gay in a monogamous relationship. Like Benchley and Thurber, he indulges in "married" jokes. If he's a little bent, I think that's necessary for his form of mind-bending humor.
It's good to bend your mind a little. Otherwise it becomes inflexible.
I bought the book because I had heard Sedaris reading one of his essays on NPR. Some might think that the only thing better than reading it is listening to the author read it aloud. I'm not sure. Some of the subject matter seems too private. I liked being able to pick up the book and put it down. Like a determined seducer, Sedaris made me laugh every time. I think I'm in love with Hugh, too.
Book Review: Best Yet
Summary: 5 Stars
I have enjoyed Sedaris' stories for years, in books, on NPR, and on long road trips when I favor his books on tape over all others. I find him ridiculous (in a hilarious way) and poignant as an author. This book is my very favorite yet.
I have to say that not every story in this book made me crack up laughing aloud. Many did, of course, but not every one. There was a great depth of emotion in this particular collection, and I found my heart aching for some characters and the author himself at various points in the book, then doubling up laughing again in no time. All my favorite humorists convey serious messages as well, and all of the best comedians can make you laugh at something terribly tragic without losing the importance of it.
My only regret about this book is that I read it so very quickly -- devoured it, really. I wish that I had savored it and extended my enjoyment as long as physically possible!
Book Review: Mrs. Peacock Lives In Infamy....
Summary: 5 Stars
Loved this book - absolutely priceless!
The other parents at my son's Tae Kwan Do studio still look at me funny.... ("There's that woman who sits in the corner reading and bursts into laughter every few minutes...").
Ah. Little do they know the wonderful reason...
This book and "Naked" are the only two Sedaris books I've read thusfar; looking forward to reading all of his books.
Sedaris is quite gifted at mining humor from the dry and mundane "everyday" happenings of life.
(I'm quite sure I'll never forget Mrs. Peacock, her "margarine hair" or her forced back scratches. (Gives me the willies just thinking about it...!)
Book Review: Sedaris is very charming
Summary: 5 Stars
I read somewhere that this was a good book to read if you are just starting off with Sedaris. I don't know if that is true, since I have never read any other Sedaris books other than this. But I will say that now that I read this one, I want to read them all. I read a lot of reviews saying that this book was hilarious. It was not hilarious - not all of it. There were a lot of parts that are very funny for their honesty; and others that are funny but not in that 'HAHA' way. Mostly I was just charmed by Sedaris' writing style and stories. No matter how strange the situations are - and believe me, some of them are really strange - he finds a way to make them relate-able.