Once again, David Sedaris brings together a collection of essays so uproariously funny and profoundly moving that his legions of fans will fall for him once more. He tests the limits of love when Hugh lances a boil from his backside, and pushes the boundaries of laziness when, finding the water shut off in his house in Normandy, he looks to the water in a vase of fresh cut flowers to fill the coffee machine. From armoring the windows with LP covers to protect the house from neurotic songbirds to the awkwardness of having a lozenge fall from your mouth into the lap of a sleeping fellow passenger on a plane, David Sedaris uses life's most bizarre moments to reach new heights in understanding love and fear, family and strangers. Culminating in a brilliantly funny account of his venture to Tokyo in order to quit smoking, David Sedaris's sixth essay collection will be avidly anticipated.
eMusic Review 0
06.12.08
David Sedaris, When You Are Engulfed in Flames
2008 | Label: Hachette Audio
The celebrated humorist travels the world in search of. . . something.
With a title inspired by a Japanese safety pamphlet, David Sedaris’s new book of essays whips through time and space traveling, in no particular order, through his past and present. Readers familiar with his work will enjoy more tales of Sedaris’ childhood in North Carolina. In “The Understudy,” he recalls the incredulousness with which he and his siblings observed a live-in babysitter named Mrs. Peacock who collected dolls and demanded that her charges scratch her back with what appeared to be a monkey paw attached to a stick. Sedaris mines his present life for anecdotes that reflect his witty touch on sometimes-macabre subjects — like the practical difficulties of purchasing a human skeleton as a present for his boyfriend.
Are there as many laugh-out-loud moments as in prior books such as Me Talk Pretty One Day? No — occasionally his transitions and endings feel a bit stretched. But Sedaris at his weaker moments is still more fun to read than many other humor essayists at their best. The book, practically a collection of travel essays, is an especially enjoyable read during the summer, when there’s more time to dream about far-flung locales like Rotterdam, Tokyo, Normandy, Sydney and North Carolina, and to enjoy Sedaris’ distinct way of observing them.
Write a Review 8 Member Reviews
New to Sedaris
This was my first Sedaris book and I enjoyed it quite a bit. As one of the other reviewers stated there are definitely more hits than misses, and a couple of real gems. His approach to humor is laid back but cerebral, and often thought provoking. Worth the download
true to kind
If you are a David Sedaris fan, this book is a must.
hope you are right desean
this is the best use of reviews, actual, factual details re the practical details @ enjoyment of hearing the book community--our humanity-- is revealed here, thanks Kasha
Just get it
Not of all it hits the mark, but more than enough of it does to justify the purchase. Most of it is top notch writing and performance in a subtle way. More turns and twists than you expect- some of it simply fabulous. My favorite from Sedaris so far. See him live, too- you will have a great evening and go home and sleep only so so because your brian will be racing with new thoughts. Or perhaps there is a skeleton in your room.
problem fixed, i think
Just downloaded this today, I haven't listened to the whole thing yet but I played track 25 and 26 with no problems, so it appears they fixed the problem the previous commenters were discussing.
Audio problem fixed?
Does anybody know whether the audio problem mentioned in other comments has been fixed? I desperately want to download this audiobook, but not until I know they've fixed the problem.
Funny but the audio breaks up...
Love Sedaris and the audio starts off fine, but starts breaking up at track 25. A whole section is missing due to the audio problems.
Corrupted audio
The audio is good at the beginning, but breaks up at track 25. Several tracks are completely ruined.
