Helpful Score: 19
Now, while I have heard a number of good things about David Sedaris' books, I have never actually read one before. Despite this, I was pretty excited about reading 'When You Are Engulfed in Flames', and I was not disappointed. Sedaris' newest book is a very funny collection of essays about ordinary everyday events in his life, or at least ordinary for him. All the stories in his book feel almost intertwined, possibly because they all to build up to a realization, almost like lessons he learned over time. Whether it is his realization that country spiders don't survive well in the city, or Sedaris eventually learning what makes one of his neighbors tick, Sedaris is very good at building a story over time. He can look at a number of events at different times and places, and see how he came to a better understanding because of these seemingly unrelated events. He also tends to make the simplest things seem more fun and exciting, such as quitting smoking. Not many people would decide to temporarily move across the world just to quit smoking. I think, in the end, David Sedaris is just skilled at comedy and story-telling in general. After all, isn't comedy just making the mundane amusing?
Helpful Score: 5
So apparently I'm the one to rain on the David Sedaris parade.
I have listened to him tell his own stories on This American Life. And he is hilarious. When he tells those stories he holds you in the palm of his hand and you cannot help but laugh and be moved.
In print, forget about it. I read Dress Your Family and hated it. He comes off as bitchy and unbelievable. So I thought that I would try When you are engulfed and he still sounds bitchy and unbelievable. He is that guy who makes you roll your eyes and wish desperately you were at the dentist. For me, his humor just doesn't work in print.
From now on i'm going to avoid his books and hope I catch him on the radio.
I have listened to him tell his own stories on This American Life. And he is hilarious. When he tells those stories he holds you in the palm of his hand and you cannot help but laugh and be moved.
In print, forget about it. I read Dress Your Family and hated it. He comes off as bitchy and unbelievable. So I thought that I would try When you are engulfed and he still sounds bitchy and unbelievable. He is that guy who makes you roll your eyes and wish desperately you were at the dentist. For me, his humor just doesn't work in print.
From now on i'm going to avoid his books and hope I catch him on the radio.
Helpful Score: 4
A quick and easy book to read. I didn't find this book nearly as funny as some of his earlier books, although I still found myself laughing out loud at a few parts. If you are a David Sedaris fan, then I would consider this book a must read - so you can judge for yourself.
Helpful Score: 4
I have to say I am disappointed in this book. I *loved* Sedaris' "Dress Your Family in Corduroy & Denim" and "Me Talk Pretty One Day" so I jumped at his newest. I found myself bristling at more of the stories than really enjoying them. There was a very long story about spiders (which I hate) and plenty of stories about his experiences being gay, the awkwardness of befriending a child molester, etc. Perhaps I was just alienated by this book. If this was your first David Sedaris book, however, don't be put off, a lot of his stories are much sharper.
Helpful Score: 4
I ADORE David Sedaris and his new book does not disappoint. His sense of humor, timing, and stories are BRILLIANT!
Helpful Score: 2
David Sedaris is my favorite author of all time, and his latest book is spectacular. Blisteringly funny, there were many laugh out loud snippets scattered throughout. "Engulfed" is nearly on par with "Naked" in its hilarity, and far superior to his more recent "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim" and "Me Talk Pretty One Day".
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
Helpful Score: 2
As with his previously published books, this book is another collection of Sedaris' humorous essays about things that have happened to him.
The essays are of generally high quality, and even more than his prior books, I often found myself laughing out loud --- a very good sign!
The final third of the book is a long series of diary entries of his attempting to quit smoking; it dragged a bit, but still had it's humorous moments. It might be funnier to people who have themselves gone through that particular torture.
4 of 5 stars.
The essays are of generally high quality, and even more than his prior books, I often found myself laughing out loud --- a very good sign!
The final third of the book is a long series of diary entries of his attempting to quit smoking; it dragged a bit, but still had it's humorous moments. It might be funnier to people who have themselves gone through that particular torture.
4 of 5 stars.
Helpful Score: 2
Hysterical - While reading this book in bed, I can't believe that I didn't wake my partner by trying to hold in my laughter - David's quirky outlook and perspective are most charming. "Solution to Saturday's Puzzle" literally had me in tears. Based on some other reviews, I will most definitely try one of the audio books next time.
Helpful Score: 1
David Sedaris is a great writer, and this book is very funny and fun to read. He's very good at describing mundane incidents and situations in a funny way. Not a classic, not up to the level that would make me keep my copy, but definitely a well-written funny book. Four stars!
Helpful Score: 1
interesting perspective... Not entirely sure what the point of the book is... I liked it though.
Helpful Score: 1
I have read just about every David Sedaris book. His books are a great illustration of interweaving humor into poignant sadness. This text is more focused on his relationship with his partner and their adventures in France and Tokyo.
Those who are trying to quit smoking will find one of his essays quite compelling. The other reflection about crazy birds, the skeleton, and the translation of signage will have you laughing out loud.
While not as good as Met Talk Pretty or Corduroy Dress, Sedaris still does not disappoint with his placement of incredibly ironic observations.
Those who are trying to quit smoking will find one of his essays quite compelling. The other reflection about crazy birds, the skeleton, and the translation of signage will have you laughing out loud.
While not as good as Met Talk Pretty or Corduroy Dress, Sedaris still does not disappoint with his placement of incredibly ironic observations.
Helpful Score: 1
More David Sedaris.
Its just more of the same. I love his writting, much better then his talks. But I have to tell you I hope he does something new sometime... All his books could be put into one, and still be just as great. They are just not going anywhere.
Its just more of the same. I love his writting, much better then his talks. But I have to tell you I hope he does something new sometime... All his books could be put into one, and still be just as great. They are just not going anywhere.
Having read this book (and nearly falling off my chair rolling on the floor laughing) i went to see this author live as he read soem of his other material. His honest, writes like he thinks, narative is not for the easily embarressed. Great read.
If you like Sedaris, then this audio CD will be right up your alley. It is read by the author himself, so the sardonic wit is read as he intended it to be.
Sedaris is nothing if not entertaining. When You Are Engulfed in Flames reads like a disjointed collection of thoughts and memories, an odd mixture of absurdly hilarious and truly cringe-worthy moments that never fails to fascinate. At times disturbing, Sedaris work covers a variety of taboo topics and is not for the faint of heart. His books have a markedly polarizing effect on readers, so youll either love him or hate him. Hes one of my favorite humorist authors.
Hilarious! Great summer fun read.
I loved this book. But then, I love David Sedaris. I listened to this book in it's unabridged audio book format. I think this is the BEST way to really get the full flavor of Sedaris' humor. That's because David Sedaris reads the books himself on the audio book version. It's almsot like he's sitting in the room talking with you when you listen to the audio book.
Warning when listening in the car however -- beware, there were several times I had to pull over (okay, so I SHOULD have pulled over) because I was just laughing too hard. I had tears in my eyes more than once.
My favorite vignette was his description about how simply replying "d'accord" (I agree) to any question posed to him in Paris lead to some very unusual situations. Oh my gosh -- how does a man end up in his underpants in the waiting room of a doctor's office? Simply say "d'accord" to every question asked.
Sedaris is has a great wry/dry wit and an amazing way of spinning observations we all encounter daily into ironic and humorous stories. I'd recommend this book for anyone who needs a good laugh.
Warning when listening in the car however -- beware, there were several times I had to pull over (okay, so I SHOULD have pulled over) because I was just laughing too hard. I had tears in my eyes more than once.
My favorite vignette was his description about how simply replying "d'accord" (I agree) to any question posed to him in Paris lead to some very unusual situations. Oh my gosh -- how does a man end up in his underpants in the waiting room of a doctor's office? Simply say "d'accord" to every question asked.
Sedaris is has a great wry/dry wit and an amazing way of spinning observations we all encounter daily into ironic and humorous stories. I'd recommend this book for anyone who needs a good laugh.
thank goodness! just as good as all the rest of his books. funny, sweet, david sedaris never fails to make me happy.
When You Are Engulfed in Flames netted Sedaris the most amount of laughs since I read the stellar, Me Talk Pretty One Day. Most of the essays in these pages were sharp and to the point, and not so meandering as they were in previous books. Some of the chapters, like "Crybaby" were easily to relate to, while others, most of which involved his life in Paris require you to just sit back and go on a journey with him as he dodges child molesters and makes friends with the spiders that live in the window frames of his home.
I find that the most enjoyable stories are the ones about David's family. His creative way with words makes his parents and siblings accessible people who jump out of the pages and you feel like you're there with him as he discusses his father's over-reactive tendencies along with his mother's droll sense of humor. His sisters never cease to make you laugh as they do everything in their power to put David into one awkward situation after another.
The final essay in the book, "The Smoking Section", which makes up the last hundred or so pages is worth the cover price alone. It details his mission to quit smoking, so he takes off to the most logical place to do so... Tokyo, Japan. What follows is a journal kept over the three month period of his stay, and much hilarity ensues.
When You Are Engulfed in Flames covers a wide array of topics, and as usual with Sedaris, you never know exactly what you're going to get or what type of ride he's going to take you on. One thing's for sure though... it's going to be a hilarious ride.
If you read and enjoyed "Me Talk Pretty One Day" then you'll likely enjoy this collection of anecdotes as well.
I find that the most enjoyable stories are the ones about David's family. His creative way with words makes his parents and siblings accessible people who jump out of the pages and you feel like you're there with him as he discusses his father's over-reactive tendencies along with his mother's droll sense of humor. His sisters never cease to make you laugh as they do everything in their power to put David into one awkward situation after another.
The final essay in the book, "The Smoking Section", which makes up the last hundred or so pages is worth the cover price alone. It details his mission to quit smoking, so he takes off to the most logical place to do so... Tokyo, Japan. What follows is a journal kept over the three month period of his stay, and much hilarity ensues.
When You Are Engulfed in Flames covers a wide array of topics, and as usual with Sedaris, you never know exactly what you're going to get or what type of ride he's going to take you on. One thing's for sure though... it's going to be a hilarious ride.
If you read and enjoyed "Me Talk Pretty One Day" then you'll likely enjoy this collection of anecdotes as well.
Good, fast read, but definitely not as funny as some of his other works.
So far, so good! David Sendaris is pretty funny!
I enjoyed reading this so much that I went out and bought the unabridged Audiobook on CD. It's even funnier with David Sedaris reading it to you! He is so funny and this is a truly unique book.
Well, I must say that I had VERY high hopes for this book. I feel like I've been waiting forever for him to write a new book of his hilarious essays. And while I did enjoy this book - particularly with the great Van Gogh on the cover - I must admit that it wasn't my favorite collection of his work. Perhaps because there wasn't as much family material in this one as in the others... or maybe because he ends up quitting smoking after all. Either way, it just wasn't my favorite - but it was by no means bad... it still ranks infinitely higher than any of the other essayists that I have read.
My sister and I bought this one in audio format to listen to on a long driving trip. So funny, it's every bit as good as his previous work.
While I'm not normally a big fan of short stories, his are like small novellas, complete with an arc and a satisfying ending.
I have to admit that I was a little disappointed with this book, which is what seems to me to be a random collection of essays by Sedaris. I've previously read two of his books (Me Talk Pretty Some Day and Holidays on Ice), both of which I found to be filled with a unique and somewhat charming brarnd of self-deprecating sarcastic humor and pathos. But many of the essays in Engulfed left me scratching my head wondering if I was missing something.
There were moments though. Moments of loss of bladder control laughter such as when Sedaris wrote about searching in the grass and gravel for his cranky neighbor's lower dentures, which had fallen to the ground when she leaned out the window to yell at the garbage man. Moments of pathos when he connected emotionally with that same cranky neighbor - and with another neighbor in France that the rest of the neighborhood shunned. Moments of "I can't believe he wrote about that" when he wrote in some detail about the Stadium Pal, which is one of those handy tools that allows men the freedom from finding a restroom when neceesary. And moments of "I can't believe he DID that" when he bought an actual human skeleton as a present for his partner - which promptly got hung from the ceiling in their bedroom (ewwwwwww!).
I very much appreciated the last essay, too, which is the only one in the book about Japan. Sedaris goes to Japan because he is determined to quit smoking and was advised to change his environment and shake up his routine. So he and his partner moved to Japan for three months (must be nice!). I chuckled at the reason that he finally decided to quit smoking after several decades (he could no longer find a decent hotel room in which he was allowed to smoke). I giggled at his confusion over the Japanese language, when he pretty much flunked an introductory course in the language. This one long essay provided many many more smiles for me.
I recommend reading this book - if only for those moments and for the last essay in the book.
There were moments though. Moments of loss of bladder control laughter such as when Sedaris wrote about searching in the grass and gravel for his cranky neighbor's lower dentures, which had fallen to the ground when she leaned out the window to yell at the garbage man. Moments of pathos when he connected emotionally with that same cranky neighbor - and with another neighbor in France that the rest of the neighborhood shunned. Moments of "I can't believe he wrote about that" when he wrote in some detail about the Stadium Pal, which is one of those handy tools that allows men the freedom from finding a restroom when neceesary. And moments of "I can't believe he DID that" when he bought an actual human skeleton as a present for his partner - which promptly got hung from the ceiling in their bedroom (ewwwwwww!).
I very much appreciated the last essay, too, which is the only one in the book about Japan. Sedaris goes to Japan because he is determined to quit smoking and was advised to change his environment and shake up his routine. So he and his partner moved to Japan for three months (must be nice!). I chuckled at the reason that he finally decided to quit smoking after several decades (he could no longer find a decent hotel room in which he was allowed to smoke). I giggled at his confusion over the Japanese language, when he pretty much flunked an introductory course in the language. This one long essay provided many many more smiles for me.
I recommend reading this book - if only for those moments and for the last essay in the book.
I enjoy David Sedaris most of the time, but this is not one of my favorites. I didn't even finish it. If you haven't read any of his writing before You should start with "Me Talk Pretty One Day" .
Unique view of the world with good humor.
it was alright maybe I had better expectations of it.
Great Fun!
Classic Sedaris. Hilarious , cringe-y fun.
Not my cup of tea.
