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geraldinerowe's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
4.75
This is possibly David Sedaris's darkest collection of essays, covering among other topics his sister's suicide and his father's decline into old age. It also has very moving passages: remembering his last conversation with his sister, his changing relationship with his father, and the way he dealt (or rather didn't) with his mother's alcoholism. And yet it also manages to be one of his funniest. Be prepared for some frank lavatorial humour though. And worse.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Excrement, and Vomit
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, and Death
Minor: Addiction, Body shaming, Cancer, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, and Rape
baileyk123's review
funny
medium-paced
2.0
Eh… some of this is classic Sedaris in the best way, some of it sounds like a boomer complaining about kids these days, and much of it just did not age well. I especially hate the fatphobia.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
corriejn's review
dark
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Meh. Not at all his best. Less "darkly hilarious" and more just dark. There are portions of Sedaris's more typical dry and often self-deprecating humor, but other large stretches just seem a bit bitter and sad. While his family members and relationships have always been a feature in his writing, his lengthy takes on a deceased relative in this book are uncharitable and feel unnecessary (at least living friends and relatives can let Sedaris hear it if they don't appreciate how he describes them and their lives).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
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