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Book Reviews of Holidays on Ice

Holidays on Ice
Holidays on Ice
Author: David Sedaris
ISBN-13: 9780316779234
ISBN-10: 0316779237
Publication Date: 11/1/1998
Pages: 144
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 488

3.8 stars, based on 488 ratings
Publisher: Back Bay Books
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

39 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 69 more book reviews
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.
Ladyslott avatar reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 113 more book reviews
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.
SteveTheDM avatar reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 204 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 41 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
hilarious! a perfect introduction to David Sedaris or a must-have for an established fan.
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 101 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Brilliant, wonderful adult read-aloud holiday tales. An annual read at our house...truly gut busting hilarious!
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 124 more book reviews
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.
VivaLaVole avatar reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 119 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Funny, ironic, sad, allegorical, wise ... and of course, witty!
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Light, fun reading. Perfect for lounging on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa.
reviewed Holidays on Ice on
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.
mishakachina avatar reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 2 more book reviews
This book was a quick read and full of interesting, funny stories. Highly recommended.
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 120 more book reviews
Loved the Macy*s story and the holiday letter, but the rest are a bit uneven
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 9 more book reviews
Sedaris's humor wasn't a great fit for me but some of his stories were entertaining.
justpeachy247 avatar reviewed Holidays on Ice on
So far, my least favorite David Sedaris book...by far.
susieqmillsacoustics avatar reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 1062 more book reviews
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.
Collinxx avatar reviewed Holidays on Ice on
Very funny short collection of short stories.
reviewed Holidays on Ice on
Loved the book, Holidays on Ice, but I'm a David Sedaris fan so... what can I say. His writing is delightful.
starfkr avatar reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 53 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 6 more book reviews
do not read this book during the holiday season unless the holidays suck already for you- which is common BTW
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 3 more book reviews
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.
engrlibrarian avatar reviewed Holidays on Ice on
I was disappointed that these were short stories that were primarily not autobiographical. It wasn't as hilarious as Naked or Dress Your Family.
reviewed Holidays on Ice on
Hysterical.
ilovebooksanddogs avatar reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 365 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 75 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 124 more book reviews
Very comical. David writes various stories that deal with the Christmas season. A definite read!
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 42 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 19 more book reviews
short stories, some funnier than others...
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 412 more book reviews
"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.
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 21 more book reviews
So, so funny!
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 9 more book reviews
So funny!
reviewed Holidays on Ice on
So funny! If you like David Sedaris, you will be pleased with this book!
thebeakeeper avatar reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 167 more book reviews
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!
euphoria avatar reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 25 more book reviews
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."
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 161 more book reviews
cOMEDY ESSAYS ON CHRISTMAS. PERFECT GIFT FOR THAT FRIEND WHO HAS EVERYTHING AND HAS A WACKY SENSE OF HUMOR.
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 21 more book reviews
This book has the Santa Land Diaries in it (which David Sedaris read from on This American Life).
reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 6 more book reviews
Fucked up. Funny.
abookwanderer avatar reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 43 more book reviews
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.
reviewed Holidays on Ice on
very entertaining.
joann avatar reviewed Holidays on Ice on + 413 more book reviews
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!