filesm's review against another edition
4.0
Really great, giving it 4 because I’ve definitely been more charmed by other Sedaris books. The family come through really differently in this one- rip Tiffany Sedaris. Also brings up some ethical questions with David’s work that I think are worth examining.
gsroney's review against another edition
5.0
“Usually when I was forced to compete, it was my tactic to simply give up. To try in any way was to announce your ambition, which only made you more vulnerable. The person who wanted to win but failed was a loser, while the person who didn’t really care was just a weirdo—a title I had learned to live with.”
“I thought of all the pie I had eaten during the course of my life, and wondered how different things might be if only I had wished upon the points. To begin with, I would not be seated at the Apple Pan, that much was certain. Had I gotten my wish at the age of eight, I would still be rounding up mummies in Egypt, luring them from their tombs and trapping them in heavy iron cages. All subsequent wishes would have been based upon the life I had already established: a new set of boots, a finer whip, greater command of the mummy language. That’s the problem with wishes, they ensnare you. In fairy tales they’re nothing but trouble, magnifying the greed and vanity of the person for whom they are granted. One’s best bet—and the moral to all those stories—is to be unselfish and make your wish for the benefit of others, trusting that their happiness will make you happy as well. It’s a nice idea but would definitely take some getting used to.”
“I thought of all the pie I had eaten during the course of my life, and wondered how different things might be if only I had wished upon the points. To begin with, I would not be seated at the Apple Pan, that much was certain. Had I gotten my wish at the age of eight, I would still be rounding up mummies in Egypt, luring them from their tombs and trapping them in heavy iron cages. All subsequent wishes would have been based upon the life I had already established: a new set of boots, a finer whip, greater command of the mummy language. That’s the problem with wishes, they ensnare you. In fairy tales they’re nothing but trouble, magnifying the greed and vanity of the person for whom they are granted. One’s best bet—and the moral to all those stories—is to be unselfish and make your wish for the benefit of others, trusting that their happiness will make you happy as well. It’s a nice idea but would definitely take some getting used to.”
hiltzmoore's review against another edition
3.0
I'd say this is a 3.5 star. I like his voice and writing style, but none of the stories really knocked my socks off as really funny. There were only a couple lines that I actually got a chuckle from. I think he has an interesting life and I think I'd like to read more of his books, though.
ginbott's review against another edition
5.0
Honest, embarrissing, shocking, akward, laugh out loud funny. Sedaris is one of the best non-fiction, short story writers around. Sadly sometimes to his family's desperation, as he himself admits, this collection of stories moves from stories about his childhood, through teenagehood up to adulthood and gives an uncensored look at the life and times of the Sedaris family.
One story is my absolute favorite, for purely chauvenistic reasons - Six to Eight Black Man is about a particular Dutch Holiday tradition seen through the eyes of a bemused and slightly jealous foreigner, no scrap that, American (actually an important part of why the story is funny). As is often the case, seeing yourself through the eyes of another leads to hilarity and incensement. If your not Dutch, it's just an odd and amusing tale...
If you're looking for a genuinly funny book to read, filled with memorable passages and jaw-dropping anecdotes, pick this up!
One story is my absolute favorite, for purely chauvenistic reasons - Six to Eight Black Man is about a particular Dutch Holiday tradition seen through the eyes of a bemused and slightly jealous foreigner, no scrap that, American (actually an important part of why the story is funny). As is often the case, seeing yourself through the eyes of another leads to hilarity and incensement. If your not Dutch, it's just an odd and amusing tale...
If you're looking for a genuinly funny book to read, filled with memorable passages and jaw-dropping anecdotes, pick this up!
radiojen's review against another edition
4.0
I love David Sedaris' short stories. His sense of humor is so bizarre -- a lot like my own. If you can get past the sometimes crude talk, the bottom line of every story is usually extremely funny.
In this particular book, I love the story he tells at the very end -- about the stranger who comes to his house for directions. The way he describes his house is hilarious, and I've often thought the same thing about my surroundings -- how things so very coincidental could possibly freak someone out.
I also loved one of his stories near the beginning of the book, where he talked about making a snowman out of what snow was left over after so much had melted...he had to use a lot of mud to keep it together. They called the creations Snow Negroes.
These kinds of stories about his life make me laugh out loud. I can definitely relate to much of what he writes!
In this particular book, I love the story he tells at the very end -- about the stranger who comes to his house for directions. The way he describes his house is hilarious, and I've often thought the same thing about my surroundings -- how things so very coincidental could possibly freak someone out.
I also loved one of his stories near the beginning of the book, where he talked about making a snowman out of what snow was left over after so much had melted...he had to use a lot of mud to keep it together. They called the creations Snow Negroes.
These kinds of stories about his life make me laugh out loud. I can definitely relate to much of what he writes!
pghreader's review against another edition
1.0
I really thought this was an awful collection of immature writing. I'm very surprised at the amount of dislike I held for it.
dorothy_gale's review against another edition
4.0
I had forgotten how funny David Sedaris is. The opening sleepover story scared me a bit, but I was glad the rest of his family stories didn't stick with that type. Since I don't have a commute these days, it's more of a challenge to get audiobooks in. I like that he narrates his own though. Each night I would listen to a story/chapter just before bed, and it was nice to drift off with a smile or smirk haha.