Helpful Score: 9
David Sedaris is at his best when writing his memories. The first of the six stories was my favorite. His description of being an elf at Macy's was hilarious and when I tried to read parts out loud to my husband, I was laughing too hard to finish. I love his sarcastic yet amused outlook on life.
I didn't love the other stories, but they were a fun read. He knows when to lay it on thick and poke fun at the hyprocrasy of Christmas and how it's about the *idea* of giving in many cases. The annual Christmas letter is also lampooned, and he goes so over the top with it that you have to laugh.
Not my favorite Sedaris book, but SantaLand Diaries alone made it worth the read.
I didn't love the other stories, but they were a fun read. He knows when to lay it on thick and poke fun at the hyprocrasy of Christmas and how it's about the *idea* of giving in many cases. The annual Christmas letter is also lampooned, and he goes so over the top with it that you have to laugh.
Not my favorite Sedaris book, but SantaLand Diaries alone made it worth the read.
Helpful Score: 4
I loved When You are Engulfed in Flames and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. Sedaris wit, sarcasm and ironic outlook on life, friends and family made me a fan and I am now reading his back catalog.
I picked up Holidays on Ice figuring it might be a tonic to the over commercialization of the Christmas Season. I was right and I was wrong. The first story Santaland Diaries was exactly what I was looking for, a skewering of all the things wrong with the mad rush holiday shopping season. It was funny and witty and I knew I was in for a treat. Then I read the next story, which was Greetings to Our Friends and Family, a twisted look at the ubiquitous holiday letter, it was a little too dark and nasty for me. Then I read Christmas Means Giving, a tale of keeping up with the neighbors that turns very grisly.
Several of the stories I had read before in Flames and Corduroy, so that was a bit of a disappointment, I didnt realize all the stories werent new. One of the other more memorable stories was Dinah, the Christmas Whore which was quite funny and rather touching. Of course it was a story involving Davids family, where I find his humor at its best. I also really enjoyed Jesus Saves, a hilarious story of Davids French class where everyone of a different nationality tries to explain Easter.
So overall this collection was very uneven and it actually took me a month to read this very slight book, because parts of it were just too dark and a little shocking for me.
I picked up Holidays on Ice figuring it might be a tonic to the over commercialization of the Christmas Season. I was right and I was wrong. The first story Santaland Diaries was exactly what I was looking for, a skewering of all the things wrong with the mad rush holiday shopping season. It was funny and witty and I knew I was in for a treat. Then I read the next story, which was Greetings to Our Friends and Family, a twisted look at the ubiquitous holiday letter, it was a little too dark and nasty for me. Then I read Christmas Means Giving, a tale of keeping up with the neighbors that turns very grisly.
Several of the stories I had read before in Flames and Corduroy, so that was a bit of a disappointment, I didnt realize all the stories werent new. One of the other more memorable stories was Dinah, the Christmas Whore which was quite funny and rather touching. Of course it was a story involving Davids family, where I find his humor at its best. I also really enjoyed Jesus Saves, a hilarious story of Davids French class where everyone of a different nationality tries to explain Easter.
So overall this collection was very uneven and it actually took me a month to read this very slight book, because parts of it were just too dark and a little shocking for me.
Helpful Score: 4
I've listened to David Sedaris on APM's This American Life for years now, and finally decided that I'd like to read some of his books. So I requested a bunch on paperbackswap.com, and Holidays on Ice is the first that showed up.
This book has six stories; three original and three previously published. One of them, the SantaLand Diaries has been everywhere, and I'd heard about it before. It's also the best story in the book.
Overall, the book is kind of hit-and-miss. The stories based on his own life are the best (often making me laugh out loud), but his fictional pieces seem a bit forced.
This book has six stories; three original and three previously published. One of them, the SantaLand Diaries has been everywhere, and I'd heard about it before. It's also the best story in the book.
Overall, the book is kind of hit-and-miss. The stories based on his own life are the best (often making me laugh out loud), but his fictional pieces seem a bit forced.
Helpful Score: 3
"Santa Land Diaries" was hysterical reading, though personally I thought "Season's Greetings" crossed the line from sarcastic to not funny, bordering on sick and twisted. Overall, the book was okay, though I liked Me Talk Pretty One Day a whole lot more.
Helpful Score: 3
hilarious! a perfect introduction to David Sedaris or a must-have for an established fan.
Helpful Score: 1
Brilliant, wonderful adult read-aloud holiday tales. An annual read at our house...truly gut busting hilarious!
Helpful Score: 1
Very funny book! I read this when I was at the beach and was laughing out loud. I definitely would read this book again.
Helpful Score: 1
Funny, ironic, sad, allegorical, wise ... and of course, witty!
Helpful Score: 1
Light, fun reading. Perfect for lounging on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa.
Giving this book a rating was a bit difficult. For the most part I was not impressed by the short stories in the book. HOWEVER, I did thoroughly enjoy the first rather lengthy story about Sedaris' stint as an elf at Macy's. I found that an extremely funny and well crafted story. Had that been his only offering I would have given him 4 stars.
This book was a quick read and full of interesting, funny stories. Highly recommended.
Loved the Macy*s story and the holiday letter, but the rest are a bit uneven
Sedaris's humor wasn't a great fit for me but some of his stories were entertaining.
So far, my least favorite David Sedaris book...by far.
Sedaris' twisted humor, at times, was a bit too much for me. The stories were entertaining and somewhat funny, but just okay. Fortunately, it is a quick read. For those who like his type of dark humor, this would be enjoyable. Not really my cup of tea.
Very funny short collection of short stories.
Loved the book, Holidays on Ice, but I'm a David Sedaris fan so... what can I say. His writing is delightful.
I adore David Sedaris and had been keeping this book on my shelf for months now, just waiting for the holidays to come so I could properly enjoy it. As usual, Sedaris's wit is sharp and biting. One story in particular (the second one)had me laughing out loud with tears in my eyes it was so ridiculously hilarious. This is one of his best, in my opinion.
do not read this book during the holiday season unless the holidays suck already for you- which is common BTW
I did not enjoy this book as much as David Sedaris' other books. The stories did not feel like they were his stories as they did in the other books. The distance took away some of the humor.
I was disappointed that these were short stories that were primarily not autobiographical. It wasn't as hilarious as Naked or Dress Your Family.
This book has 6 stories in it, the first one was hilarious and the second one pretty close (and that's the only reason I gave this 2 stars)....but it went rapidly down hill after those. In fact, this book got so bad I was gritting my teeth just trying to finish it. The last two stories were so stupid and weird I was beginning to doubt my sanity in picking this up in the first place. This is the first book of his I've ever read and honestly I guarantee I'm cured of having any urge to ever read any more by him.
Highly disappointing. The first story was great but it was downhill from there. I think that his collections of short stories would benefit a lot if he varied the lengths and used a length comparable to the style he is mocking.
Very comical. David writes various stories that deal with the Christmas season. A definite read!
Really enjoyed reading these dark, short stories. Mostly about Christmas, but can be enjoyed anytime and quite funny. I read it on the commute to and from work, and it fit the time span wonderfully.
short stories, some funnier than others...
"Santaland Diaries" is hands-down one of the all time funniest pieces ever written--and even better when hearing it read out loud by the author (his "Away in a Manger" a la Billie Holliday is perfection). The other stories in this volume are a bit darker, but still funny and biting.
So funny! If you like David Sedaris, you will be pleased with this book!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! I just read it- it took me a little over and hour and i was laughin my butt off. Out loud. I got a few looks.
I love all of the essays in this book- especially his last one. Definitely his best!
I love all of the essays in this book- especially his last one. Definitely his best!
Sharp-witted Sedaris with six holiday vignettes. Perfect to enjoy "by the warmth of a raging fire, the glow of a brilliantly decorated tree, or even in the backseat of a van or police car."
cOMEDY ESSAYS ON CHRISTMAS. PERFECT GIFT FOR THAT FRIEND WHO HAS EVERYTHING AND HAS A WACKY SENSE OF HUMOR.
This book has the Santa Land Diaries in it (which David Sedaris read from on This American Life).
Fucked up. Funny.
Do not read this expecting lovely, charming Christmas stories. There are some lovely and charming aspects, but for the most part I read this with my hand covering my mouth, trying to hold in--what felt like an inappropriate laugh. Witty, shocking, and so very politically incorrect. But so funny, too.
Six of David Sedaris's most profound Christmas stories in one slender volume. Perfect for use as a last-minute coaster or ice scraper. This drinking man's companion can be enjoyed by the warmth of a raging fire, the glow of a brilliantly decorated tree, or even in the backseat of a van or police car. It should be read with your eyes, felt with your heart, and heard only when spoken to. It should in short, behave much like a book. AND, OH, WHAT A BOOK IT IS!
