Sedaris 10, background music 0

I love listening to David Sedaris read his work, but would rather not have to listen to the cheap-sounding ‘lift’ music in the background.

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Mixed.

I found the first section where the narrator is talking about Santaland absolutely hilarious but didn't enjoy the rest as much.

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T'was the night before Christmas..HIDE.

Mr Sedaris is a brilliant absurdist, writer and performer. His series on BBC Radio 4 has had me giggling, laughing and on occasions, snorting. I love listening to his views on the world and allegedly true recollections of his life. Some reviewers have complained about his use of language and insults to other people but that is to miss the point. I believe the written Mr Sedaris is as fictional as the written David Copperfield and is used as an instrument to describe certain kinds of, mainly American, middle class, aspiring, well off human beings in the same way Dickens' described Victorian London. The terms he uses fit that character in the same way Tarentino uses the N word in his films. It is often the real Mr Sedaris' sparkling and dramatic use of the English language here that is the main joy and often that is best enjoyed listening to Mr Sedaris read his own work . Some works are better read out loud.
This book is often darker and often nastier than his other work and not always easy to listen to. This may not be a good starting point for new readers/listeners but it is often funny, often cringe making but always interesting. Think Ricky Gervias meets P J O'Rouke. These characters are opinionated, often obnoxious and you really would not want to be stuck in a house with them over Christmas but I loved it

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I love David Sedaris

I have some of Davids books as hard copies, but nothing beats listening to him read his own work. The chapter on being an elf in a department store had me laughing out loud. I have several of his audiobooks now, and am on alert for any new ones.

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2 people found this helpful

A great listen over the Christmas period

Very funny sometimes very dark but really good fun to listen to over Christmas. David Sedaris is a very funny man!

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great in places

First time I heard the elf memoire I was in stitches. Having relistened I find myself less tolerant of the casual way in which the author is happy to upset others for his own amusement, and by our listening, ours. I guess I'm a bit sensitive after 2016, year of the unconscionable hater. Its still pretty funny in many places, and does offer the occasional pause for reflection but its patchy.

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4 people found this helpful

David Sedaris is brilliant, as usual

I picked this up, knowing David Sedaris from his "appearances" on This American Life. It's a great, funny, and insightful look into life from David's point of view. He's brilliant reading his own work, so much so, I think it's probably better to buy the audio book, than the printed book. Great listen for any lover of the absurd.

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3 people found this helpful

The subversive, funny, absurd side of Xmas

David Sedaris is subversive, funny, absurd and dry, and this book mostly about Christmas has some priceless gems, but I wish I'd started with one of his others first.

Having heard his live readings on BBC radio, I have come to love his wonderful and often poignant observations on the absurdities of life. His humour never fails to make me laugh, and reminds me of Tom Lehrer, with an absurdist twist. From the politics of being one of Santas Elves at Macy's to the difficulties of explaining the Easter bunny to a Muslim in French, or his fascination with autopsy reports, this book has some priceless and delicious stories.

So, why only 4 stars?

Some of the stories, (such as the Dunbar family Christmas circular), are certainly more poignant than funny - almost tragic, and his brilliant but biting cynicism sometimes left me feeling deflated. (He is at his best when being autobiographical, and with a live audience).

However, I think for me it is because this is a "collection" of assorted stories on a theme, rather than a whole book, which left me wishing I'd started with one of his more complete audiobooks.

That aside, I am off to buy another, and probably many more after that, for he is a rare talent, with an astute eye for Homo absurdus, and a genius for expressing that in humour. Don't be put off by his voice. Once you get used to his style, his delivery is impeccable, and his timing and inflection certainly add to the humour of the writing.

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8 people found this helpful

Deliciously dark collection of festive stories

I've had these waiting on my phone for months, deciding to listen to this in December in the run-up to Christmas. While it doesn't give much festive feeling, admittedly, I was amused from beginning to end with the subversion and black humour.

Of course, the centrepiece, a narration of a Macy's elf and his work life is very funny. The longest of the stories, it's the reason I bought this collection in the first place and is totally worth it. My other favourites were the 'Round Robin Christmas letter 'that escalates quickly from the usual boasts to a hideously dark story, and the one-man-upmanship that likewise takes on a very, very black turn. The animal story of a Secret Santa with a sting in the tail is also wonderfully morbid. For those alone, this is recommended, but the other stories also have their merits.

I loved listening to this, I got to smirk along with the author as he told me his own stories. They translate very well to audio, some are told to the listener/reader straight anyway. Sedaris is a talented reader, definitely one I'd listen to again.

I just love subversion, especially of traditional themes, so this collection was right up my street. I'll probably listen to it again next December as well.

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Sedaris at his brilliant best

I've long been a fan of David Sedaris, and this is him at his very best. Not only are the stories amongst his most keenly observed and sharpest, but the audio brings an added dimension ... for example (and unforgettably) his version of Silent Night, sung in the style of Billie Holiday...

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