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Times like this are when I really love audiobooks. Is there anything funnier than having David Sedaris read his own books to you? Not much, I'm thinking. While humorous as always, this series of essays felt bleaker than other works of his I have read, but "Six to Eight Black Men", an essay involving Dutch Christmas mythology, had me laughing until I cried, which was pretty embarrassing because I was listening to it at work. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
is not my favorite of Sedaris' works that I have read so far (When You Are Engulfed In Flames currently holds that position), but it is still well worth the time when you're in need of a chuckle.
16 comments:
I haven't found anything funnier than Sedaris reading his own work (except possibly Nora Ephron reading I Feel Bad About My Neck). Will add When You Are Engulfed in Flames to my 'must listen' list. I was lucky enough to see him live last year...my face ached from laughing by the end of the show!
I totally agree - David Sedaris on audio is fantastic!
I listened to "Six to Eight Black Men" while caravan-ing to drop off my fiancé's car at the dealership. When he got in my car for the drive back, I made him listen to it again with me! So funny.
Haven't read any Sedaris yet, but I think I"ll go audio when I do. When You Are Engulfed in Flames, which you say is your favorite, will be my first, I think.
JoAnn ~ I would *love* to see Sedaris read live! That had to have been a blast! The last time my face hurt from laughing at a live show was seeing Weird Al Yankovic. :-)
Bermuda Onion ~ I'm hoping I can find Me Talk Pretty One Day with him reading, but everything I've found so far is abridged. :-(
Alison ~ It's just too funny not to share, isn't it? I made my husband listen to it when I got home from work!
Rebecca ~ I highly recommend audio for Sedaris. My favorite story from "Engulfed in Flames" involved David and Hugh at the zoo. I can't wait to see which one you like best!
Lezlie
Thankyou for your kind words following my FIL's death.
Zetor ~ You are most welcome.
Lezlie
This was the first Sedaris book I ever listened to on audio, and I just roared and roared. He is very funny. Great Review Lezlie
I also love listening to David Sedaris. I have trouble sleeping, and although his voice is not what I would call soothing, I always wake up feeling refreshed after listening to one of his audiobooks before bed. Maybe it's because I fall asleep laughing.
Diane ~ Thanks! I miss some of the subtleties of the humor when I read his essays on my own. I love listening to him!
Charley ~ That would be a great time to listen to him! Going to sleep laughing sounds like something we could all use. ;-)
Lezlie
This was the first Sedaris I ever read, and for that reason it will always hold a special place in my demented little heart. "Six to Eight Black Men" is probably THE FUNNIEST thing I've ever read/listened to in my entire life. Like you, I cried. I was driving down the road, so that's not as embarrassing but it was slightly dangerous.
I had my class do an extra credit project last week by listening to an essay from "...Engulfed in Flames" It was the one about the "Stadium Pal" external catheter that he tried out. They were terribly amused, and they actually got the point of what I was trying to teach them. Cherry on top!
Andi ~ Only the world's coolest teacher would assign the Stadium Pal essay, even just for extra credit. Very awesome! That is one of my favorites. What was the lesson about? I'm all kinds of curious! I think whichever Sedaris book a person read first tends to be the favorite. He has so much good stuff!
Lezlie
I love it when an author reads their own books! They perform it the way it was meant to be (even better when its a funny writer).
Ladytink ~ I couldn't agree more! No one knows better how it was originall supposed to sound than the author. Though I hear some author's aren't so good at reading on audio. Thankfully, Sedaris is not one of them. :-)
Lezlie
Another story about laughing until you cry at 6 to 8 black men--I couldn't stop laughing, and I embarrassed my daughter. We were in a waiting room for parents at a swimming lesson, waiting for her younger brother.
I love the way Sedaris reads it (yes, I got the audiobook after reading the book).
Now we have to tell my son the beginning of the way Sedaris tells the Dutch story every Christmas eve ("listen, you might want to pack a few of your things together...")
Jeanne ~ I'm not sure how a person could get through that story without laughing hysterically. :-) My husband and I now have a new catch phrase: Santa doesn't eat *tapas*!
Lezlie
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