Marty’s review of Naked > Likes and Comments
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I agree with that although I gave it three stars because the beginning was just so hilarious. I think maybe his earlier books might be better. I am going to give Me Talk Pretty One Day a try and see.
I agree with your review, even though I gave the book 3 stars. Try out When You Are Engulfed in Flames - I thought it was much better and he's more likable.
I agree with everything you said here also. The first 3 chapters or so were downright hillarious! I couldn't even read them outloud beacause I was laughing and crying so hard. But then it completely goes downhill and you end up feeling so sorry for the poor guy. And you're wondering, if his life was really so sad and selfish why is he writing a book about it?
QUOTE: This is a guy who is an unapologetic drug abuser, uses obscenities with graphic language and descriptions, takes advantage of people, looks down on others.
I didn't have a problem with what you mentioned here (in fact, I didn't see it that way at all), but I full-heartedly agree that this book, which started so strong, so funny and overall great, became a snooze real quick. After the first few chapters, he lost it and it just wasn't interesting anymore. Such a shame.
Shanna wrote: "I agree with that although I gave it three stars because the beginning was just so hilarious. I think maybe his earlier books might be better. I am going to give Me Talk Pretty One Day a try and ..."
You should definitely read Me Talk Pretty One Day. It was really great, and David Sedaris doesn't come on as strongly with the whole drug abuser thing in it. It was definitely one of my favorite books.
I don't know....it's true that David Sedaris often paints an unflattering picture of himself. However, a big part of what I like about him is this self-awareness. He is materialistic and superficial. If his stories are to be believed, he has treated some friends and family very badly at times. While I tend to believe that he's exaggerating some of these things, to me, the point remains--he has some big, ugly character flaws, and he knows it. What separates him from the current despicable trend of celebrating jerks who are proud of being jerks is that he is not proud.
He can be harsh and judgmental to the people around him, but he is always taking a more searing look at himself. While I believe that reading more of his books might change the mind of someone who thinks he's an awful person, I'm not trying to convince people who don't like him to read him. First of all, life is too short, and you'll never have enough time to read all the books you WANT to read. Secondly, heaven knows I already have a hard enough time getting tickets to one of his readings. However, for whatever reason, I do feel the need to point out his humility, depth and even kindness, if only because it's what I feel sets him apart from authors who have truly disgusted me, such as Augusten Burroughs and Dave Eggers.
Me Talk Pretty One Day is his best! It's worth a shot!
Very well put, Erin. I completely agree.
I completely agree with this review! You put into words exactly what I was trying to. I've read "Me Talk Pretty One Day," prior to this, and I found it to be a much better read.
Me Talk Pretty is hilarious! I'm just rereading Naked now so I can't compare the two, but MTP and Engulfed in Flames are AWESOME!
Here's the thing, Marty... I entirely disagree with you.
I think that his rudeness, cruelty, and overall first class jackass behaviour is what made me fall in love with him, and this book. He's brash and unapologetic, and I see something so human in him. He doesn't try to hide his normal selfish reaction, he just bares it all out, fighting the urge to cover up his weaker moments.
Also, you can tell that he knows that he can be hurtful at most times. What I love so much about him is that he's a person who plays the role of the antagonist so WELL, that he turns himself back around entirely.
It was funny, and mean, and sarcastic, and everything that most see as bad about him, I love.
The book is called Naked for a reason: he shows you the good, bad and the ugly of himself. If he never moved on from the innocence of childhood (for better or worse) the book would've been called Arrested Development.
Unapologetic drug abuser. Yes, most marijuana users are a bain to their society and require 1 star critics to unleash their reviews of negativity, in an attempt to keep their creativity away from a sedated society.
Ha. Sorry you took the review so personally, Nick … I didn't know you were a family member(?). Anyway, you mention the creativity of marijuana users, yet I never harped on Sedaris's creativity, that was never in question.
I simply noted that my personal response was much more positive during his childhood moments as opposed to his later life where his forays are far less centered on his family (quirky yet endearing) and more on himself. And, as it turns out, I didn't much like his adult self and the choices he made, nor did I find humor in it (which, I believe, was his primary focus).
I'm sorry that that offends you, but I guess that is the best that you'll get from someone who is apparently "sedated" because he doesn't depend on the brain-damaging wonders of a little plant from Colombia to get my thrills out of life.
I agree with most reviews.... great start...poor finish. Disapointing
I want to know why so many people who agreed with this review gave it three stars!?! I agree with this review...I gave it 1 star, if I could have given it a zero, I would have. Giving it 3 stars perpetuates this terrible book as something of quality. You can't give it three stars because the beginning was good.
Marty, your review is right on the money. I picked this book up in the store and knew it was one I had to read. I read your review and thought, "If it starts out good, how could it get THAT bad." Now I know. What starts as a off-handed comical look at the shit life has to ofer quickly turns into a disgusting pitty party. Too bad. It had great potential.
I kind of had the opposite reaction... After the first few stories I thought of just not going any further. I could tell by the writing style and the language used in the first three stories that this person was not (portraying himself as) a stand-up person. The language he used talking about his grandmother was kinda violent. So I just resigned myself to it--yes, he's judgmental, he smokes cigarettes and drinks alcohol, he's been shaped by his family's dysfunction. And then I started enjoying it so much more. I agree with the commenter Erin as well.
I also agree with your review. I only wish I would've read it before I read this book and had to quit on it 2/3 in.
I'm so sorry you see it this way. David Sedaris is a hilarious genius! I've read all of his books multiple times and they just get better and better. I've also met him on multiple occasions and he is one of the sweetest people I've ever met! He's always gracious and kind and witty. At his signings, he takes 5 minutes to have a conversation with each of his fans and he won't leave until he's met with everyone there. He writes these stories to make fun of himself and recognise his not-so-great traits, something more men should be doing!
This review is cutting to me, especially since it put people off actually trying it. I admit that this is perhaps not his best work, but "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim" is THE BEST! Whenever I'm feeling down I'll pull one of his books off the shelf and he never fails to make me smile!
The book isn't meant to “meet your standards” or give you a happy little ending, its just meant to illustrate David Sedaris himself.
He only writes because he just wants to share with the world, just how f-ed up his life is.
It's all just his diary material, and with diary material you get the full effect of how someone felt that moment.
You write about something that happened to you a lot later and you're gonna start to judge yourself. Sedaris is just trying to prove to you that he can stick his finger in his own face and laugh, and you don't have to like it.
He wasn't planning or writing or changing or timing his life, the beauty of his books are just the acknowledgment of random fate acting upon the things that happened.
Your review got me curious. A friend had recommended this book, and I wanted to walk in with no expectations. Instead, I will look forward to a Robin William-sque talent now:-)
I agree with you. I read the first few chapters and LOVED them. Then after that, I was kinda "meh." I was afraid that maybe I was just being a prude, or didn't get it.
As someone who has loved David Sedaris's other books, sadly I have to agree with your review of Naked, to the extent that it begins well and then nosedives - my reasons for feeling it did so however differ. I'm just bored!
Had this been the first book of his I'd experienced, I would doubtful have read any of his others, so I can only suggest trying another of his back catalogue and seeing how you feel! Naked however...left me numb.
Thanks, Nainna. I will keep that door opened for sure!
Agreed 100%. I read and mostly enjoyed Me Talk Pretty, but I had to quit Naked 2/3rds of the way through. For whatever reason, he comes across as incredibly unlikable to me in the last half of this book.
That’s good to hear because I had a friend give me her copy of Me Talk Pretty, so with your confirming endorsement, I feel like I can take it off the shelf and get back to the Sedaris that I like!
Couldn’t agree more. By the end of it I was sick of his self-entitled arrogance. Eww.
Right!?! We should be celebrating the pernicious destruction of brain cells for a momentary rush of artificial thrill that could potentially lead to life-altering decisions of oneself or others!!!
... or he can continue doing what he wants, and we can like or dislike what he writes about and have opinions on it. If possible we can have mature discussions about his writing rather than a passive-aggressive defense of your hobby.
Noted.
Fascinating discussion about the novel.
Sure.
Or we could discuss more content-related criticisms, such as how those represent a bigger issue on narrator/audience compatibility. I sense that you disagree with my review, but you are not able to vocalize your thoughts coherently, so instead you are choosing to sarcastically address some very limited points that you disagree with.
The problem is that I made it clear that I did not enjoy Mr. Sedaris by the end of the novel. It seems equally clear that you did. I can respect that other people would like him. My dislike of him should not diminish your own experience. Nor should you personally feel threatened because I don't appreciate his language or drug abuse.
I feel that we've exhausted your ability to have a reasonable discussion on the book. If you would like to try again, I am certainly open to it. If not, I wish you the best--truly and sincerely.
Probably depends on the nun. Either way, I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone that doesn’t like to spend time with a cynical & spiteful person.
Nah, he and his books are absolute gems.
Lindsay wrote: "Nah, he and his books are absolute gems."
I actually don't begrudge anyone enjoying his writing. Having appreciated much of it, I can respect that.
I heard an interview a few years ago with Sedaris where he says that he cringes when he reads the essays from this book in particular. Personally it's one of my favorites of his but it's interesting to know that he probably agrees with your review of it! 😂
That's actually some neat insight. Thanks for sharing.
It’s clear though, to me, that these moments are supposed to be sardonic glances into the thought process of a young narcissistic boy who hasn’t yet matured. It’s nice to see his progression throughout other books especially his “diaries.”
That seems to be a common response from those who have read more of his books (I've read and enjoyed many of his essays), so I trust you. I do feel that personally I should not need to read a canon to appreciate the context of an individual book, but that may not be the audience he is gearing towards anyway, so I can respect someone having a different takeaway. It also means one of these days I really need to pick up another Sedaris! ... it's just that my to-read list is quite as unmanageable and unpredictable as anything else in my life, so we'll see!
There's so much hyperbole for the sake of entertainment that I can't really take his bad characteristics very serious.
Alex wrote: "Oh grow up."
I sense your presumption is that growing up will change my experience of the reading and get me to like the unlikeable. If that is the case, I hope none of us grow up.
I think the “grow up” comment was pointing to the idea that rating a book based on the morality of the writer—rather than the story’s emotional or thematic impact—misses the point of literature. It’s not about liking the author; it’s about engaging with the work.
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Shanna
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May 17, 2008 06:45AM
I agree with that although I gave it three stars because the beginning was just so hilarious. I think maybe his earlier books might be better. I am going to give Me Talk Pretty One Day a try and see.
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I agree with your review, even though I gave the book 3 stars. Try out When You Are Engulfed in Flames - I thought it was much better and he's more likable.
I agree with everything you said here also. The first 3 chapters or so were downright hillarious! I couldn't even read them outloud beacause I was laughing and crying so hard. But then it completely goes downhill and you end up feeling so sorry for the poor guy. And you're wondering, if his life was really so sad and selfish why is he writing a book about it?
QUOTE: This is a guy who is an unapologetic drug abuser, uses obscenities with graphic language and descriptions, takes advantage of people, looks down on others.I didn't have a problem with what you mentioned here (in fact, I didn't see it that way at all), but I full-heartedly agree that this book, which started so strong, so funny and overall great, became a snooze real quick. After the first few chapters, he lost it and it just wasn't interesting anymore. Such a shame.
Shanna wrote: "I agree with that although I gave it three stars because the beginning was just so hilarious. I think maybe his earlier books might be better. I am going to give Me Talk Pretty One Day a try and ..."You should definitely read Me Talk Pretty One Day. It was really great, and David Sedaris doesn't come on as strongly with the whole drug abuser thing in it. It was definitely one of my favorite books.
I don't know....it's true that David Sedaris often paints an unflattering picture of himself. However, a big part of what I like about him is this self-awareness. He is materialistic and superficial. If his stories are to be believed, he has treated some friends and family very badly at times. While I tend to believe that he's exaggerating some of these things, to me, the point remains--he has some big, ugly character flaws, and he knows it. What separates him from the current despicable trend of celebrating jerks who are proud of being jerks is that he is not proud. He can be harsh and judgmental to the people around him, but he is always taking a more searing look at himself. While I believe that reading more of his books might change the mind of someone who thinks he's an awful person, I'm not trying to convince people who don't like him to read him. First of all, life is too short, and you'll never have enough time to read all the books you WANT to read. Secondly, heaven knows I already have a hard enough time getting tickets to one of his readings. However, for whatever reason, I do feel the need to point out his humility, depth and even kindness, if only because it's what I feel sets him apart from authors who have truly disgusted me, such as Augusten Burroughs and Dave Eggers.
Me Talk Pretty One Day is his best! It's worth a shot!
Very well put, Erin. I completely agree.
I completely agree with this review! You put into words exactly what I was trying to. I've read "Me Talk Pretty One Day," prior to this, and I found it to be a much better read.
Me Talk Pretty is hilarious! I'm just rereading Naked now so I can't compare the two, but MTP and Engulfed in Flames are AWESOME!
Here's the thing, Marty... I entirely disagree with you.I think that his rudeness, cruelty, and overall first class jackass behaviour is what made me fall in love with him, and this book. He's brash and unapologetic, and I see something so human in him. He doesn't try to hide his normal selfish reaction, he just bares it all out, fighting the urge to cover up his weaker moments.
Also, you can tell that he knows that he can be hurtful at most times. What I love so much about him is that he's a person who plays the role of the antagonist so WELL, that he turns himself back around entirely.
It was funny, and mean, and sarcastic, and everything that most see as bad about him, I love.
The book is called Naked for a reason: he shows you the good, bad and the ugly of himself. If he never moved on from the innocence of childhood (for better or worse) the book would've been called Arrested Development.
Unapologetic drug abuser. Yes, most marijuana users are a bain to their society and require 1 star critics to unleash their reviews of negativity, in an attempt to keep their creativity away from a sedated society.
Ha. Sorry you took the review so personally, Nick … I didn't know you were a family member(?). Anyway, you mention the creativity of marijuana users, yet I never harped on Sedaris's creativity, that was never in question. I simply noted that my personal response was much more positive during his childhood moments as opposed to his later life where his forays are far less centered on his family (quirky yet endearing) and more on himself. And, as it turns out, I didn't much like his adult self and the choices he made, nor did I find humor in it (which, I believe, was his primary focus).
I'm sorry that that offends you, but I guess that is the best that you'll get from someone who is apparently "sedated" because he doesn't depend on the brain-damaging wonders of a little plant from Colombia to get my thrills out of life.
I agree with most reviews.... great start...poor finish. Disapointing
I want to know why so many people who agreed with this review gave it three stars!?! I agree with this review...I gave it 1 star, if I could have given it a zero, I would have. Giving it 3 stars perpetuates this terrible book as something of quality. You can't give it three stars because the beginning was good.
Marty, your review is right on the money. I picked this book up in the store and knew it was one I had to read. I read your review and thought, "If it starts out good, how could it get THAT bad." Now I know. What starts as a off-handed comical look at the shit life has to ofer quickly turns into a disgusting pitty party. Too bad. It had great potential.
I kind of had the opposite reaction... After the first few stories I thought of just not going any further. I could tell by the writing style and the language used in the first three stories that this person was not (portraying himself as) a stand-up person. The language he used talking about his grandmother was kinda violent. So I just resigned myself to it--yes, he's judgmental, he smokes cigarettes and drinks alcohol, he's been shaped by his family's dysfunction. And then I started enjoying it so much more. I agree with the commenter Erin as well.
I also agree with your review. I only wish I would've read it before I read this book and had to quit on it 2/3 in.
I'm so sorry you see it this way. David Sedaris is a hilarious genius! I've read all of his books multiple times and they just get better and better. I've also met him on multiple occasions and he is one of the sweetest people I've ever met! He's always gracious and kind and witty. At his signings, he takes 5 minutes to have a conversation with each of his fans and he won't leave until he's met with everyone there. He writes these stories to make fun of himself and recognise his not-so-great traits, something more men should be doing!This review is cutting to me, especially since it put people off actually trying it. I admit that this is perhaps not his best work, but "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim" is THE BEST! Whenever I'm feeling down I'll pull one of his books off the shelf and he never fails to make me smile!
The book isn't meant to “meet your standards” or give you a happy little ending, its just meant to illustrate David Sedaris himself. He only writes because he just wants to share with the world, just how f-ed up his life is.
It's all just his diary material, and with diary material you get the full effect of how someone felt that moment.
You write about something that happened to you a lot later and you're gonna start to judge yourself. Sedaris is just trying to prove to you that he can stick his finger in his own face and laugh, and you don't have to like it.
He wasn't planning or writing or changing or timing his life, the beauty of his books are just the acknowledgment of random fate acting upon the things that happened.
Your review got me curious. A friend had recommended this book, and I wanted to walk in with no expectations. Instead, I will look forward to a Robin William-sque talent now:-)
I agree with you. I read the first few chapters and LOVED them. Then after that, I was kinda "meh." I was afraid that maybe I was just being a prude, or didn't get it.
As someone who has loved David Sedaris's other books, sadly I have to agree with your review of Naked, to the extent that it begins well and then nosedives - my reasons for feeling it did so however differ. I'm just bored!Had this been the first book of his I'd experienced, I would doubtful have read any of his others, so I can only suggest trying another of his back catalogue and seeing how you feel! Naked however...left me numb.
Thanks, Nainna. I will keep that door opened for sure!
Agreed 100%. I read and mostly enjoyed Me Talk Pretty, but I had to quit Naked 2/3rds of the way through. For whatever reason, he comes across as incredibly unlikable to me in the last half of this book.
That’s good to hear because I had a friend give me her copy of Me Talk Pretty, so with your confirming endorsement, I feel like I can take it off the shelf and get back to the Sedaris that I like!
Couldn’t agree more. By the end of it I was sick of his self-entitled arrogance. Eww.
Right!?! We should be celebrating the pernicious destruction of brain cells for a momentary rush of artificial thrill that could potentially lead to life-altering decisions of oneself or others!!!
... or he can continue doing what he wants, and we can like or dislike what he writes about and have opinions on it. If possible we can have mature discussions about his writing rather than a passive-aggressive defense of your hobby.
Noted.Fascinating discussion about the novel.
Sure. Or we could discuss more content-related criticisms, such as how those represent a bigger issue on narrator/audience compatibility. I sense that you disagree with my review, but you are not able to vocalize your thoughts coherently, so instead you are choosing to sarcastically address some very limited points that you disagree with.
The problem is that I made it clear that I did not enjoy Mr. Sedaris by the end of the novel. It seems equally clear that you did. I can respect that other people would like him. My dislike of him should not diminish your own experience. Nor should you personally feel threatened because I don't appreciate his language or drug abuse.
I feel that we've exhausted your ability to have a reasonable discussion on the book. If you would like to try again, I am certainly open to it. If not, I wish you the best--truly and sincerely.
Probably depends on the nun. Either way, I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone that doesn’t like to spend time with a cynical & spiteful person.
Nah, he and his books are absolute gems.
Lindsay wrote: "Nah, he and his books are absolute gems."I actually don't begrudge anyone enjoying his writing. Having appreciated much of it, I can respect that.
I heard an interview a few years ago with Sedaris where he says that he cringes when he reads the essays from this book in particular. Personally it's one of my favorites of his but it's interesting to know that he probably agrees with your review of it! 😂
That's actually some neat insight. Thanks for sharing.
It’s clear though, to me, that these moments are supposed to be sardonic glances into the thought process of a young narcissistic boy who hasn’t yet matured. It’s nice to see his progression throughout other books especially his “diaries.”
That seems to be a common response from those who have read more of his books (I've read and enjoyed many of his essays), so I trust you. I do feel that personally I should not need to read a canon to appreciate the context of an individual book, but that may not be the audience he is gearing towards anyway, so I can respect someone having a different takeaway. It also means one of these days I really need to pick up another Sedaris! ... it's just that my to-read list is quite as unmanageable and unpredictable as anything else in my life, so we'll see!
There's so much hyperbole for the sake of entertainment that I can't really take his bad characteristics very serious.
Alex wrote: "Oh grow up."I sense your presumption is that growing up will change my experience of the reading and get me to like the unlikeable. If that is the case, I hope none of us grow up.
I think the “grow up” comment was pointing to the idea that rating a book based on the morality of the writer—rather than the story’s emotional or thematic impact—misses the point of literature. It’s not about liking the author; it’s about engaging with the work.
