The Works of David Sedaris

[mrpancake]

I took the advice of everyone in the free world, and started to read his works. I have just finished Me Talk Pretty One Day and Dress Your Family In Corduroy And Denim. I really loved both, and found myself laughing aloud in many parts, which, to me, meant a lot. He really is a great story teller, very engaging. Discuss his works, your favorite of his storys, etc.

[biondetta]

I always end up laughing out loud at some point when I'm reading his stuff. I was reading Me Talk Pretty One Day on the subway and was trying to stifle the laughter, but it just kept erupting when I least expected it. I had to stop reading it before I ended up looking like a crazy woman or like I was having a fit.

He's an excellent writer who can make me laugh and make me cry.

[Laira]

I love David Sedaris. I recommend Naked. It has the hilarious story of David's week at a nudist colony (he went on a dare from The Rooster) among other stories.

Amazing how one family could produce both David and Amy.

[Deleted]

Wow, I just posted in another thread about my Amy Sedaris love and then I come across this thread. It's a Sedaris love fest kind of day, I guess.

I have all of his books and love them all, actually. Lately, I have started getting them all in audio as well and I REALLY recommend it! His voice and timing just add so much to the stories. I went to a reading of his once and he was just as sweet and humble and hysterical as you would imagine.

My favorites selections are "My Chef" and "Repeat After Me." IIRC, they are both from Dress You Family...

[kostgard]

I was reading Me Talk Pretty One Day on the subway and was trying to stifle the laughter, but it just kept erupting when I least expected it. I had to stop reading it before I ended up looking like a crazy woman or like I was having a fit.

Heh. I also made the mistake of reading Me Talk Pretty One Day on public transportation. I also had to put the book down because people were looking at me like I was nuts.

Between Amy, David, and The Rooster, I can't decide if growing up in that family would be the wildest ride ever or hell on earth. Or both.

He nice, the Jesus...

[brinksteria]

I'm wild about his memoirs/essays. I can't recommend them enough, because they're so funny.

But I don't enjoy his fiction at all. I bought Barrel Fever: most of the collection is fiction. It was disappointing. It's like his 100% make-believe imagination is not as rich as his re-imagined takes on his true recollections. The fiction felt flat and a little dead to me. Also, the fiction was a lot more misanthropic, more cynical. It depressed me. Maybe when he writes about his family, real life, etc., his pre-existing affection for them leavens his take.

I always end up laughing out loud at some point when I'm reading his stuff. I was reading Me Talk Pretty One Day on the subway and was trying to stifle the laughter, but it just kept erupting when I least expected it. I had to stop reading it before I ended up looking like a crazy woman or like I was having a fit.

Same thing has happened to me. One difference is I can't stop reading, and I have to go with being "crazy giggling woman" for the rest of the ride.

[fiona3]

I love David Sedaris and his crazy family. My all-time favorite line is from You Can't Kill the Rooster:

"When shit brings you down, just say, 'fuck it' and eat yourself some motherfucking candy."

[kostgard]

"When shit brings you down, just say, 'fuck it' and eat yourself some motherfucking candy."

Ha! After I had a bad week my friend sent me a "Fuck-it Bucket" filled with candy with that quote on it.

[tinyshoes]

One of my favorite stories is "Shiner Like a Diamond" from Me Talk Pretty One Day. It's a story about Amy and how she likes to ugly up, much to the chagrin of their appearance-obsessed father. I've read it quite a few times and I still laugh.

[mrpancake]

I also really enjoyed "Shiner Like A Diamond." Since I absolutely love Amy Sedaris as well, it's interesting to see a little insight into her personality from someone who knows her. It's lame, but since I'm a big Strangers With Candy fan, everytime he mentioned her name I perked up and got excited about what he would say about her. That story really seemed to capture Amy's personality, and it sort of gives me a background for her, which I enjoyed. I've been slowing on my reading, but am hoping to finish Naked today or tomorrow.