bermudaonion (Kathy)
Stephanie
heidenkind
zibilee
kay @ Infiniteshelf
This is a collection of humorous essays drawn from the author’s life, covering fun topics from his elementary school speech counselor to the time a Frenchman thought he was a thief and went happily on in English about it to his girlfriend, not realizing that Sedaris was an American and understood every word he said. Through his high drug years, his failed stint as a teacher, and even the time he almost saw a girl get killed, David Sedaris makes his readers laugh even as sometimes we know we really shouldn’t.
I had such a strange experience with this book. It was my last choice for the read-a-thon and even though I wasn’t that tired, at first I didn’t find it all that funny. I read the first few essays a little perplexed. When I tried imagining someone reading the book out loud to me, I thought it was more entertaining, but still, sort of “eh.” This mirrored the experience my husband had had with it a few weeks ago when he was looking for a humorous read. Then, all of a sudden, it became hilarious. I’m not sure whether I got used to Sedaris’s writing or whether the later stories were just funnier than the earlier ones, but I began laughing out loud more and more often. And now that I’ve finished, I want to read more of his work. I think for once an audiobook might be better; a lot of people have remarked that Sedaris is funnier in person.
I’ve lost most of the grasp of this book as it’s been a while and I’d read so much during the read-a-thon, so I’m just going to leave it at that. Me Talk Pretty One Day is definitely a funny read; if it starts off not so much, keep reading, and hopefully you will also suddenly realize that this man is hilarious.
I am an Amazon Associate. I purchased this book.
To me, so much of how one reacts to a humor book depends upon one’s mood while reading it. And it’s interesting for me to go back to a book I laughed at, and find nothing funny about it the second time, so I know the first time I had to have been in a different frame of mind!
rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Moby Dick Mondays – Week 2
I’ve listened to a couple of Sedaris’s audio books and loved them. I think I might have this in my TBR pile somewhere – I’ll have to dig it out when I need a laugh. I’m still getting used to you referring to Keith as your husband!
Kathy´s last blog ..Mailbox Monday
I read another one of Sedaris’ books–not this one–and had a similar experience. I read the first few essays, and while I thought he was a really good writer, I didn’t really find it funny. So I stopped reading. I guess I should have kept going!
heidenkind´s last blog ..Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?
I like books like that: where the humor develops as you read onward. I have heard some really great things about this book and I hope that I’ll be able to read it one day. It’s definitely on my massive TBR list.
Jennifer´s last blog ..Review: Mercury in Retrograde by Paula Froelich
I found Sedaris humerous at some points but overall I have not been that drawn to the collections of his that I’ve read. I have found Augusten Burroughs to be much funnier when I am looking for a collection of funny stories. Chelsea Handler’s books are funny too.
Stephanie´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesday: The Jade Cat
I think I might need it as a spacer between my study schedule. I can’t afford to read big fat books but book such as this might help me relax. Thanks for the review.
Shona´s last blog ..The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble
This is one of my favorite books and one that I have loaned out many times. I think it’s probably the best Sedaris out there, although Naked is a really great book too. I am trying to collect all his books and get my husband to read them as well. I am glad that it suddenly became funny for you and that you ended up liking the book!
zibilee´s last blog ..Elynia by David Michael Belczyk – 173 pages
I don’t find Sedaris nearly as funny in print as I do on audio. You should try listening to him, his voice is hilarious!
S. Krishna´s last blog ..Far From Home – Anne deGrace
This is actually, probably, my favorite of his works so far. I did listen to it on audio back when I was driving 40 minutes each way to and from work. I laughed so hard at times that I almost drove off the road. Good luck with more of his stuff! I haven’t read Naked yet, but I hear endless good things about it. I loved Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and When You Are Engulfed in Flames as well.
Andi´s last blog ..Itching!
I’m really not a fan of Sedaris in print at all. I think this is the book of his that I read and I was very ‘meh’ about the whole thing. Some of the same stories told by him on NPR I’ve found very amusing. I really think it helps hearing his delivery.
Jen – Devourer of Books´s last blog ..Bad Girls Don’t Die – Book Review