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Book Review

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David Sedaris, Holidays on Ice

  • 2009
  • | Publisher: Little, Brown

Arguably the most memorable non-Jesus-related Christmas story of all time.

Chances are you’ve already heard, or read, “The Santaland Diaries.” David Sedaris true-but-ridiculous memoir of his stint as an elf named Crumpet in Macy’s holiday dystopia is, arguably, the most memorable non-Jesus-related Christmas story of all time. It was written in 1992 and still holds up, still rings true in its gentle criticisms of our wayward consumer culture.Holidays on Ice collects all of Sedaris’ snarky essays and short stories on the season, and each is worthy of repeat listens, thanks to the fast-paced, charismatic readings (sometimes bolstered by cameos by his sister Amy). It’s really his greatest hits. Oh, and you need to check out “Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol,” in which a small-time theater critic unleashes his vicious wit on the hapless children in grammar school Christmas pageants. A sixth-grader cast as Tiny Tim leaves him unimpressed beyond the child’s ability to “sustain a decent limp.” He writes: “The program noted that he’d recently lost his right foot to diabetes, but was that reason enough to cast him?” God bless us, everyone.

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