Me Talk Pretty One Day

I didn't finish this book, as I wasn't really able to get into it.

Some people just shouldn't write memoirs. In my opinion, one should publish a memoir if they actually have an

interesting life. David Sedaris most definitely does not. What, is he original because he did tons of drugs? Because he's gay? Or maybe it's because he lives in Paris. But not really.

I'm going to give a couple concrete reasons to back up my near-hatred for this book.

#1: Sedaris goes on for pages and pages about how much more interesting the childhood of his boyfriend Hugh was. Well then maybe you should have written a biography about him, David.

#2: He whines about the smallest and stupidest things. For example, apparently people are only allowed to hold a subway pole from an arms-length away. Fuck you Sedaris and let people hold a goddamn subway pole the way they'd like to. It honestly shouldn't matter as long as they aren't straddling it naked.

#3: After reading this book I am still confused as to why people claim it is funny.

I can actually use a direct quote from the book to show exactly how I feel about this book. Here it goes...

"I never quite understood the soccer match. The volunteers weren't playing against the cow, they were just attempting to play in her presence, Nobody scored any goals, and I felt nothing but confusion when time was called and another, equally puzzling activity was introduced."

Some people just shouldn't write memoirs. In my opinion, one should publish a memoir if they actually have an

interesting life. David Sedaris most definitely does not. What, is he original because he did tons of drugs? Because he's gay? Or maybe it's because he lives in Paris. But not really.

I'm going to give a couple concrete reasons to back up my near-hatred for this book.

#1: Sedaris goes on for pages and pages about how much more interesting the childhood of his boyfriend Hugh was. Well then maybe you should have written a biography about him, David.

#2: He whines about the smallest and stupidest things. For example, apparently people are only allowed to hold a subway pole from an arms-length away. Fuck you Sedaris and let people hold a goddamn subway pole the way they'd like to. It honestly shouldn't matter as long as they aren't straddling it naked.

#3: After reading this book I am still confused as to why people claim it is funny.

I can actually use a direct quote from the book to show exactly how I feel about this book. Here it goes...

"I never quite understood the soccer match. The volunteers weren't playing against the cow, they were just attempting to play in her presence, Nobody scored any goals, and I felt nothing but confusion when time was called and another, equally puzzling activity was introduced."

David Sedaris has a way of finding humor with pure observation. He does not insert his own emotion and allows for you to process and feel whatever comes up organically on its own as if you are personally experiencing it. I wish I could write like him.

My overall take away from this book was 'eh'. I enjoyed it, but not all of it. For some moments, it seemed too brutish and cruel. I chuckled a few times and I finished it, so there's that. But it might be a while before I pick up another David Sedaris book.

I became a Sedaris fan through his radio work first, so the title essay was a favorite of mine. However, I think "The Youth in Asia" is my favorite essay from this collection, if only because anything about dying pets is guaranteed to make me cry. Read this if you want to laugh out loud and feel smarter.

****5.0****

Sedaris is a very funny writer. I laughed out loud throughout the book and some occasions brought tears in my eyes , of course laughing.

“Sometimes the sins you haven’t committed are all you have left to hold onto.”

Starting from his childhood in North Carolina, early adulthood in New York and his recent adventures living with his boyfriend Hugh in Paris, Sedaris puts forward lively stories with the reader. His struggle with lisp and speech therapist, with learning guitar were hilarious. He also recalls the animal presence and it’s effects in his family that is family dog/s and cat/s and his own bonding with parents and siblings. His sexuality is also included along with his sister’s addiction to tanning and incidents equally hilarious.

“When shit brings you down, just say ‘fuck it’, and eat yourself some motherfucking candy.”

Let me tell you Sedaris has put together several essays that are worth much more into this book. Reader jumps from one part of his life to another which are funnily narrated but are serious issues.

“Hugh consoled me, saying, “Don’t let it get to you. There are plenty of things you’re good at.”

When asked for some examples, he listed vacuuming and naming stuffed animals. He says he can probably come up with a few more, but he’ll need some time to think.”

Brilliantly written, Sedaris is, again, a very funny writer.

Happy Reading!!!

I'm not a huge Sedaris fan, even though I know that is sacrilege to say in certain circles. I find him just mildly amusing/interesting

Sedaris is the OG - hysterical and finding comedy gold in the mundane!!! I’d devour anything he writes and if you get the chance to see him in person. - do it. He’s classic and it’s amazing!