smithjasont01's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
2.5
"In terms of emotional comfort, it was our belief that no amount of physical contact could match the healing powers of a well-made cocktail."
This is my first time picking up a book by David Sedaris. An autobiography poking fun at autobiographies. He starts out making you think his family is well off then you quickly learn they are your typical middle class family of the 60s, 70s. Telling about everything from his nervous tics, the interplay between him and his large and varied family members, volunteering at a mental hospital, cross country journeys he took as a young adult, and his brief foray into nudism. As he is going through all this he sprinkles in his sharp humor. It is hard to tell if the people he talks about throughout are as he describes or if he is exaggerating them to make them into more ridiculous characters.
Now I am not a fan of biographies or autobiographies and that holds true with this one. They just jump around topics to much and when they are done with a section it doesn't flow well to the next, it is pretty much just a hard cut we were here now we are here. That and most people's lives are not that interesting to read about. I think this work showed off his humor well and has made me curious of his other books but as a read this one was just ok.
This is my first time picking up a book by David Sedaris. An autobiography poking fun at autobiographies. He starts out making you think his family is well off then you quickly learn they are your typical middle class family of the 60s, 70s. Telling about everything from his nervous tics, the interplay between him and his large and varied family members, volunteering at a mental hospital, cross country journeys he took as a young adult, and his brief foray into nudism. As he is going through all this he sprinkles in his sharp humor. It is hard to tell if the people he talks about throughout are as he describes or if he is exaggerating them to make them into more ridiculous characters.
Now I am not a fan of biographies or autobiographies and that holds true with this one. They just jump around topics to much and when they are done with a section it doesn't flow well to the next, it is pretty much just a hard cut we were here now we are here. That and most people's lives are not that interesting to read about. I think this work showed off his humor well and has made me curious of his other books but as a read this one was just ok.
girlgotnoidentity's review against another edition
5.0
‘right, and I breast-feed baby camels in my backyard just for the freaking fun of it. Just tell me where you live, Pinocchio, and save the baloney for lunch.’ (no context passage from the book)
Funny as hell. Prepare yourself to laugh and cry all at the same time. Bring some snacks while you're at it too so the laughter will be even better.
Such a great book to start the year.
Happy New Year, Goodreads fam!
Funny as hell. Prepare yourself to laugh and cry all at the same time. Bring some snacks while you're at it too so the laughter will be even better.
Such a great book to start the year.
Happy New Year, Goodreads fam!
natty_light's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
David Sedaris’s writing in this reads like a stream of consciousness, bringing a delightful vividness to the prose. Coupled with the dry humor and dripping with sarcasm, it does a wonderful job of making you feel as if you’re experiencing things right there with him. Please do yourself the favor of reading.
olivia76's review against another edition
2.0
Adored the beginning of the book. I'd have to agree with Shannon, some spots were a bit rough for me. It was enough to make me stop reading, but I still appreciated much of the humor.
finlaaaay's review against another edition
4.0
I like Sedaris's sense of humour. Pretty good in general, I feel like I should read more of his stuff.
esalamon's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
some essays were very funny and some i felt went on for too long. overall, enjoyable!