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bookwitch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
2.0
Some of this was really funny, but some of it was REALLY terrible and cringey. I don't think I will be reading anything else from this author; our sense of humor doesn't completely line up, and if his other books are anything like this one, I will not enjoy any of them.
His one essay about his mother, and how even with such a large family (of outspoken people), NO ONE said anything to her about her alcoholism. That felt pretty personal, as did his essay about how depressed he was after the 2015 election results.
His one essay about his mother, and how even with such a large family (of outspoken people), NO ONE said anything to her about her alcoholism. That felt pretty personal, as did his essay about how depressed he was after the 2015 election results.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Suicide
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Cancer, Rape, and Suicide attempt
jojothefool's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
3.75
Fun time, David Sedaris can always make me laugh. Thought this was a really interesting look into deeper parts of his life. I liked the parts about grieving. Ive kind of forgotten half the stories already as I was reading this book over the last few weeks so lol
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Dementia
gingerfoxtales's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
Love how these little anecdotes tricked me into reading short stories (which I hate)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
soule_soph's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
kmoz's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
Minor: Cursing and Vomit
lzjolo's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Suicide
mimi_whimsy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
This collection of essays is my first foray into the world of David Sedaris. I'm already queuing up my next. ;o)
I love how his family is featured so prominently in his work. Yet, there is no tedium to the stories like I would imagine my own set of essays might suffer from if I focused on me and mine so much. Maybe it is because he has a way of gently landing on a highlighted moment for one family member, then on to tumor-ridden snapping turtle, a stop by a "did he/she just say/do that" public moment, and back to a family member. The essays have the open, easy feel of conversation, but there is a masterful structure to them. Bones, that you don't see but can just feel below the surface.
I walk away hearing David's father saying "Fantastic." It leaves me with a sweet, sad smile. So much is shared here, and I cherish it all.
I love how his family is featured so prominently in his work. Yet, there is no tedium to the stories like I would imagine my own set of essays might suffer from if I focused on me and mine so much. Maybe it is because he has a way of gently landing on a highlighted moment for one family member, then on to tumor-ridden snapping turtle, a stop by a "did he/she just say/do that" public moment, and back to a family member. The essays have the open, easy feel of conversation, but there is a masterful structure to them. Bones, that you don't see but can just feel below the surface.
I walk away hearing David's father saying "Fantastic." It leaves me with a sweet, sad smile. So much is shared here, and I cherish it all.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism and Suicide
maedayx43's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
A very enjoyable read. David Sedaris' take on life makes me laugh and makes me think. This is a book about family and with it comes some sad stories but even within sadness he finds humor. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Suicide
lexreadsstories's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide