Reviews

When You Are Engulfed in Flames is a comedy essay collection/memoir . This collection was just okay to me. There were some genuinely funny moments in some of the stories, but for the most part I didn't find much of this book that funny. A lot of points this book came off as random ramblings I could care less about.

jessplayin's review

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4.0

A series of memoir style essays by Sedaris that are both harsh and funny. It's a collection of awkward moments that feel like long jokes with poignant punchlines. Replete with a lot of self loathing and introspection Sedaris never feels like a true ass because he is acutely aware of his flaws and his failings. This book had me laughing out loud at times and deeply thinking in others. Definitely checking out more of his work, would recommend.

quenchgum's review

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4.0

This was my first David Sedaris book I've ever read, and I liked it. He was funny, he was definitely witty, and his comedic timing was impeccable. The topics that he touched upon were death, mortality, love of his partner Hugh, quitting smoking, and humanity itself.

My favorite passages were when he talked about Hugh. I couldn't quite figure Hugh out, even after he was mentioned in one way or another in almost all of the essays. He seems like a great guy, though, somebody that you just want to be around. I can see why Sedaris writes with such love whenever he's brought up.

The essays flowed nicely to me, and I didn't get tired of reading it. I could see how people say that when you read one Sedaris book, you've read them all; I really should read a second book, though, before affirming that claim.

Final judgment: if I ever see another Sedaris book at Goodwill or a garage sale, I'm DEFINITELY going to snatch it up!