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Me Talk Pretty One Day
Me Talk Pretty One Day
Author: David Sedaris
"As far as I was concerned, the French could be cold or even openly hostile. They could burn my flag or pelt me with stones, but if there were taxidermied kittens to be had then I would go and bring them back to this, the greatest country on earth." David Sedaris's new collection, Me Talk Pretty One Day, tells a most unconventional life story. ...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780316776967
ISBN-10: 0316776963
Publication Date: 6/5/2001
Pages: 288
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 1922

3.9 stars, based on 1922 ratings
Publisher: Back Bay Books
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on + 40 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 13
A different read for me, and if I hadn't have pushed myself to keep reading after the first couple of chapters, I wouldn't have become glued to the book. David Sedaris is able to put thoughts to paper in a way we never could, even though we may have thoughts similar to his. He took every day situations and turned them into humor. It was a nice refreshment read from my usual reads.
VeganFreak avatar reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on
Helpful Score: 12
Funny, fast read. Each chapter is a different humorous essay, so it is easy to pick up and put down. It would make a good vacation book or book to read when you are busy.
The different stories that he tells come from different times in his life, so it is a bit hard to sum up quickly. He writes about his childhood, his quirky family, pets, lame jobs, his stupidity, his time in France and learning to speak french.
marcym avatar reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on + 159 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 12
I wasn't aware that this was a series of short essays, but I'm glad it was. I found I needed a rest from the authors humor every few pages, and the format enabled me to do so. I actually loved his dry humor, but sometimes found it to be a little overwhelming and I wasn't certain if he was being sarcastic or honest.
Foucault avatar reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on + 27 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
So, it was funny. It was. The humor wasn't as "acid" as the hype suggested, but there were parts that made me laugh out loud. The second half of the book, which takes place after Sedaris moves to France, is definitely funnier, but perhaps that's because I can relate somewhat, having spent some time in France myself. The parts about his Father were hilarious, and I have to admit that he reminded me at times of my own Father.

Often, when reading a memoir, you're reading about someone who has done some extraordinary things. Here, I think we're hearing about a fairly ordinary person, who has not done anything terribly extraordinary, but who writes rather well. He's not as outrageous as many gay writers; in fact he seems rather conservative in outlook.

I've been advised by several that his work is much funnier when hearing him read it, but I haven't had the opportunity yet.
poppysbabies avatar reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Nothing prepared me for the sheer audacity and frankness of this book. I found myself laughing for days - literally days - after I read some passages and recalled them even weeks afterwards. David Sedaris has a gift for sketching the most bizarrely true events in his life and putting them in spare terms that hit your funny bone 'just so'! This is a perfect book for a savvy college student, anyone who faces a struggle of learning a new language or anyone who likes modern stand-up comedy. This is a book of autobiographical chapters and if you're not prudish, his rapier wit will exhilarate you- even as it stuns you - with sheer insightful humor. Just hilarious!
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Minehava avatar reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on + 829 more book reviews
Funny at times, fast read. Each chapter is a different essay, so it is easy to pick up and put down. It would make a good vacation book.

He writes about his childhood, his quirky family, pets, lame jobs, his stupidity, his time in France and learning to speak french. The stories that he tells come from different times in his life, so it has a bit disorganized timeline.

There were some funny sections, but overall this was below average. The author is a somewhat dysfunctional, spoiled kid (now adult) that failed to achieve any degree of success, his father did. His father was a Greek immigrant who got himself a degree in engineering & became an IBM specialist. Sadly he was his children's target for scorn and belittling. What could have been funny stories turn into hurtful attacks on his lack of "fun factor"
Eventually the patents filled the empty nest (after 6 kids) with pet (dog) which they adored. This dog loved them back unconditionally an became more vital to them then their absent, dysfunctional kids. Which made said Kids resentful. Sadly this is the tragic story of many American families.

Though the stories have some entertaining quality, the writing lacks finesse and is somewhat dry. It is âI'm not sure I want to keep reading it, but it may have interesting paragraph later on, like 15 pages a goâ sort of book. More is the pity since it had the potential to be memorable masterpiece.
jitterbugperfumelove avatar reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on + 2 more book reviews
I bought this book on a friend's suggestion and took it to read on a cross-country flight. Mid-way through the flight, I was laughing so hard, I was crying. My seatmate demanded to know what I was reading because he said he hadn't seen anyone laugh that hard in a long time. I teach English as a Second Language and I can completely relate to the stories he tells of how strange American culture seems to others, and the stories of how he struggled to learn French were spot on. If you like David Sedaris, his sister Amy Sedaris is equally funny. Thumbs way up!!
reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on
Funny and witty
reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on + 18 more book reviews
His first? Don't know, but I do know that this is most likely the funniest book I may ever read.
reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on + 31 more book reviews
All the stories in this collection are great, but as a student of languages, I think I ruptured something laughing so hard at the title story.
reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on + 96 more book reviews
There were some funny sections, but overall this was about average. An interesting read, but nothing earth-shattering.
reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on + 19 more book reviews
Hilarious!
Yoni avatar reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on + 327 more book reviews
A fun read. Love his sense of humor.
reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on + 7 more book reviews
A very funny read.
noisynora avatar reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on + 130 more book reviews
Liked it a lot - not as much as Augusten Burroughs, but close - the stories about his family members are the best - would definately pick up another one of his books.
reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on + 11 more book reviews
I laughed out loud! One of my favorite books ever. This book has heart and real humor. Not everyone gets this book, but I'd recommend it anyway, should be shared!!
reviewed Me Talk Pretty One Day on + 7 more book reviews
An important book, but funny in the best way. Youll love this one and have to share it with freinds.

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