Erin's review

[close]

blog this review

Copy/paste the text below into your blog. <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1044355.When_You_Are_Engulfed_in_Flames?utm_medium=api&amp;utm_source=blog_review" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img alt="When You Are Engulfed in Flames" border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51rI%2BNF4VwL._SL160_.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1044355.When_You_Are_Engulfed_in_Flames?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">When You Are Engulfed in Flames</a> by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2849.David_Sedaris">David Sedaris</a><br/><br/> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/24024358?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review"><h3>My review</h3></a> rating: 5 of 5 stars<br/>I was so excited when I saw the new David Sedaris book because I am an avowed fan of all things Sedaris and am kicking myself for not seeing him for a third time at Barnes and Noble, and that I'm not sure I can see him when I move up to Rochester. But, even having read some of these stories when they were published in the many magazines he writes for, they were equally endearing and hysterical. <br/> <br/>One of the other 'Good Reads' reviews before starting this book, and was struck by the idea that the book was less ridiculous, and also focused on DS's relationship with Hugh. The funny thing is, there is one story that is entirely fabricated--where Sedaris writes about going to Princeton and majoring in patricide. As a whole, the book focuses on experience-based stories and essays, but this Princeton story moves into the fantasy aspect, but never extends to some of the stranger stuff of Barrel Fever. As for the second point about his relationship, I am always struck by the kindness and affection of their relationship, and warmed by the idea that people have loving, long-term relationships. Coincidentally, I also an article in the New York Times over the two days I was reading the book, about what heterosexual couples can learn from non-hetero couples about relationships--equality, treating partners as people instead of genders, etc. Something to keep in mind, and it's very apparent in the way Sedaris writes about his relationship. <br/> <br/>But, in all things Sedaris, he is just the funniest author and is the only writer that can quite literally make me laugh out loud on the subway, and not care that people are looking at me. I always want to hold up the book, almost as an explanation and recommendation, but never do because it would interrupt my reading, laughter, and enjoyment. <br/><br/><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/342986?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_review">View all my reviews.</a>