Me Talk Pretty One Day
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Jun 17, 2011 06:59AM
What I learned today: This book is a collection of essays. Who knew? LOL.
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Uh, I did. But I already listened to it!
I know you told me to look for his audiobook, but I couldn't get it from the library so I'm doing this the old fashioned way...reading.
I wish there was a way to share audio. It is on my Itunes. Have you ever heard him read any of his work?
No, I rarely listen to audiobooks. But I'll keep an eye out.
I do not listen to audiobooks much either. I have a drive for work, so I have been doing it more than not, but there are just some things that are better listened to. Sedaris reading his stuff is one of them.
Uh..I don't understand spoken English...*head down*
Ok, I'm starting.
I think I need to do this in little bites. At first I was amused, but now I'm feeling like shrugging my shoulders after each chapter and saying "What's your point??"
Just roll with it. Why does it have to have a point?
I need funny or interesting. So far, Sedaris has only managed to reach mildly amusing and then been unable to sustain even that for very long. However when he went through the whole pet thing, including cremating his last cat and then mentions his mother dying and being concerned that his father would bring home a replacement right away, I did grin. Didn't last, though.
Done with part one. Deux tomorrow. :)
This is the first of several of Sedaris' books I've read. With the exception of "Holidays on Ice" I've loved them all. I have a boxed set of his books on CD, including Me Talk Pretty One Day. The audio version of "Talk" was just as good, if not better than the book. Sedaris is my go-to guy when I'm looking for something fun and light to read.
Close to the end...40 pages or so left. I can see how listening to Sedaris on an audiobook would have made this much better. You could get the vocal inflection and the self-deprecating irony which doesn't always come through successfully when you're reading it.
OK, 100 pages of Sedaris in one day is enough. I'll have to finish this another day. Is there a story line in this book hidden under the anecdotes? Is there a point to the turd story at all or was that more of a Seinfeld episode in 5 pages? So far I find him mildly funny, but it reminds me too much of the guy at the party who is masking all his insecurities with jokes and cutting observations, to really appreciate it.
If there was a meta-narrative I didn't find it. The turd story was kind of the high point for me.
I live with two small boys. Turd humor has lost its appeal.
Exaggerated to the point of caricature. The idea of Rooster was great, this guy who is completely unconcerned by other's expectations but is the most caring child of the whole bunch. The first couple times he opened his mouth were funny, but it got old fast. Of course, I felt like I was being bashed over the head with the whole "heart of gold" business too.
Are there many references to the American culture? Until now, I am not having any problems but I have a feeling that if I were American I could enjoy it more.
Yes there are Sara, especially in the second part "Deux". Well, maybe not references to, but assumptions about American culture. I don't know if that would make it funnier or not, but it would make some of it more understandable. Marleen could probably help more with your question.
I thought the Easter Chapter (Jesus Shaves, from memory....)was hilarious!
Marianne wrote: "I thought the Easter Chapter (Jesus Shaves, from memory....)was hilarious!"OMG! Jesus Shaves is one of the funniest essays ever. Better heard than read. I had to pull the car over I was laughing so hard.
The problem with essay books it's that it's too easy to not pick them up again once you've put them down. Still have 50 pages to go and although Deux is a little more interesting than One, I am more preoccupied with what I am going to read NEXT!
Listening to David Sedaris is so intriguing...I can't resist. He has charm with an edge. I first heard him on This American Life on NPR and then searched him out to hear more. These were sort of stream of consciousness essays but came together with a point summing up a coming of age motif. I can only listen to so much at one time and then have to digest it. His communications skills are amazing.
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