Let me preface this by saying I love David Sedaris so much, I cannot read him in public. If you didn’t already know, Sedaris writes memoirs, and his memoirs are hilarious anecdotes about his life. Whenever I flipped the page when reading Me Talk Pretty One Day, I would double over in laughter. The effect was repeated with his other books, Naked, Dress Your Family In Corderoy and Denim, and Holidays On Ice. I still haven’t read Barrel Fever.
In terms of When You Are Engulfed In Flames, I felt it was funny, however it wasn’t quite as gut-busting as his other books. Some of his anecdotes seemed to just drag on and on, especially his story about moving to Tokyo to quit smoking. However, there were a few gems. For example, his story about Helen — his crazy neighbor. I think the story of Helen works so well because we all know someone like Helen, we all know someone who is nutty and happy with being nutty. Whereas not very many people can relate to moving halfway around the world just to quit smoking.
When You Are Engulfed In Flames by David Sedaris contained more stories about Hugh, Sedaris’s partner. Hugh is awesome to read about, and I can relate because my boyfriend keeps me functioning as well. My one wish pertaining to When You Are Engulfed In Flames is that I would have liked it if it contained more stories about his crazy childhood and mother. In his other writings, I find those to be his most touching and funny stories, perhaps it is because I can connect to them more than I can connect to his upper class lifestyle.
While reading When You Are Engulfed In Flames by David Sedaris, I recommend you sip on a margarita, perhaps it will make the Tokyo section funnier.
Other Reviews of When You Are Engulfed In Flames by David Sedaris:
I Wish I Lived In A Library – “there were a number of times where I literally burst out laughing”
Sophisticated Dorkiness – “it felt more like a reading out of obligation”
Support Good Books & Good Wine:
Latest posts by April (Books&Wine) (see all)
- 5 Audiobooks I Just Listened To: Mini Reviews - May 30, 2023
- 5 Contemporary Romances To Pick Up RIGHT NOW - May 29, 2023
- 5 Young Adult Books I’ve Recently Picked Up - May 14, 2023
I have trouble with Dave Sedaris. Everyone always just finds him so funny, and I've never understood it. I guess I will have to pass on this one, as it seems less funny.
Although I think I would actually love the tokyo story that you didn't like so much.
Preferably, I enjoy a crisp, refreshing white wine. So if you're looking for something along those lines, I’d go with JM Fonseca Twin Vines. Crisp, refreshing and light, this brand of wine goes down smoothly with just about everything. If you’d like to compare it, compare it to a Pinot Grigio, just more refreshing. I will leave the link for the wine below in case you seem interested. Hope you enjoy:
http://tinyurl.com/meko65
I'm so hesitant to pick this one up. I keep hearing that it's not as good as the other ones…so I just keep putting it off.
Definitely not Sedaris' best work. But any Sedaris is better than almost anyone else.
Hi April, thanks for the review.
Vicky recently posted..E Cigarette Battery Maintenance