Rating:  Summary: Tears of Laughter Review: I picked this book up, not even knowing who David Sedaris was. I saw on the leaflet, that one of the stories was about living in France and the various comical misunderstandings which arise when trying to communicate in a language other than your mother tongue. I'm a Francophile, and it looked like it might be amusing... Well, it may well be the funniest book I've ever read. I was crying, indeed shreiking with laughter as Mr. Sedaris led me deeper and deeper into absurdly hilarious,and yet often very familiar situations. France was only one of his mileiu of varied venues. I cannot remember laughing so hard about anything in a very long time. I quickly purchased another to give to a relative who is going through Chemo, and another for a friend who also needed cheering up, and then I bought another as a gift for a perfectly healthy friend, and so on... To be sure, my own copy is and will remain on my shelf reserved for cherished books. It will take on the hue and texture of an often read and greatly enjoyed book. Laughter is indeed a powerful medicine and "Me Talk Pretty One Day" will make anyone feel giddy to be alive.
Rating:  Summary: Huge disappointment. This book is awful. Review: I was disappointed and embarassed. I had given this book as a Christmas present last year to a member of my family because I read so many glowing reviews about it being funny and that the author is a modern-day Mark Twain. But I hadn't yet read it. Yesterday I saw it in the airport bookstore and bought my own copy, anticipating a fun read for the next seven hours. It wasn't fun and it isn't funny. It's like eating chewing gum off the sidewalk -- something novel, but not something you want to have inside your body. I'm embarassed that I gave it as a gift and I am writing an apology letter; they must think I regard them as boorish, gross, and unfunnily sarcastic people. Don't waste your time.
Rating:  Summary: Buy it and pass it on...for a while. Review: I bought this book a few weeks ago and my only regret is that I immediately lent it to my brother, who still has it, and I'm already wanting to read it again. I fell for David Sedaris when I saw the hilarious "SantaLand Diaries" in Denver (Gary Culig's performance was no less than brilliant). I really needed a good laugh again, so I looked up Sedaris [...] and shazam! this book delivered. But Me Talk Pretty is more than a good snort, it's refreshingly well written. Sedaris has mastered the personal essay format. In an age when the Self is overglorified and boring as hell, he leaves out all extraneous ramblings. His sense of humor is like a heat-seeking missile and I, for one, am grateful.
Rating:  Summary: Laughing out loud Review: This was a great read. I sat reading laughing out loud enough to annoy my TV watching family.
Rating:  Summary: Hysterical Review: David Sedaris is so funny! I almost wet myself! He is also the most adorable author living today. I want to have his babies. Armistead Maupin says of this book "achingly funny" on the dustjacket, which is quite a compliment in itself. READ IT NOW then Buy it for a depressed friend ! You owe it to your inner Vachette.
Rating:  Summary: The Prime Of Mr. David Sedaris! Review: I don't care one whit for any intellectual or comparative examination of the content of this book, all I know is that I was laughing and shaking my head at the joy and discovery of what he can say and how he says it. Amazingly, he does it out of nothing: his subjects include elementary school, living in New York, family (whose banality he venerates), bad jobs, learning French, all commonplace but he re-visits them from a wonderfully skewed perspective and makes everything we've got in common seem funny, fantastic and sometimes deeply touching. The person who can write a book that makes the reader laugh out loud and feel that he/she has lived, or could have lived, the same experience is very special indeed. David Sedaris is a real star. Just like certain stage actors in their prime, his charisma and talent draw the participant into feeling a deep relationship with him. I finished this book feeling a lot of humanity and other corny stuff too simple and sweet to spoil by giving them names.
Rating:  Summary: Me Stop Laughing One Day Review: I was standing in Miami Airport, looking for something to read on my impending long flight. I saw this book, flipped through a couple of pages and thought "What the heck?" The hours that followed were filled with my audible and uncontrollable laughter permeating through the departure lounge and the aircraft. I kept grabbing my best friend/travel companion so I could read passages to her - I haven't laughed that much in a long time. I have since purchased an unprecedented 10 volumes for family and friends, so impressed am I with this work. David Sedaris' take on life is hilarious - the chapter on his brother, Paul, "The Rooster" is one of my favourites. Each chapter is a short story about one subject or the next. Make sure you concentrate on each one. I now own all the David Sedaris books, and can't wait for his next installment. Just terrific!
Rating:  Summary: funny stuff Review: David Sedaris is just plain silly and that's the beauty of him. I just know if I was at a dinner party and he was seated next to me, I'd have a great evening. His essay on Big John, the leftover in the bathroom, had me in stitches. This is a very funny book and I will make it a point to read everything he's written. What a gas!
Rating:  Summary: Pretty Darn Funny! Review: This book was recommended by one of my brightest friends so, despite its weird title, I picked it up and started reading. I quickly found that Mr. Sedaris has an incredible gift for writing straight from the heart and telling it like it is. As a former foreign language teacher, I especially connected with the hysterical accounts of his struggle with French - which is where the weird title comes from, by the way. The format of this book is a refreshing break from the novel genre, especially for someone with time constraints that don't always allow huge chunks of reading pleasure. While there were a few essays which I could have done without, overall I found reading Me Talk Pretty One Day to be a wonderfully entertaining way to spend my time.
Rating:  Summary: Funniest series of essays I've read this year Review: Sedaris' wit ranks with any other writers, reminding me mostly of David Barry, and his series of personal essays left no doubt as to his writing ability. This one has made most bestseller lists by now, so if you haven't read it, pick it up. A great way to finish off the summer!
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