When You Are Engulfed in Flames
by David Sedaris
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Book Reviews of When You Are Engulfed in Flames
Book Review: Lightly humorous, overly hyped because he's gay
Summary: 2 Stars
To be blunt, I was disappointed. When you have reviews that describe Sedaris and this work as "All hail the king of comedy" (Sunday Times - London), "I sound like a laugh track" (Arizona Republic), "still make me laugh harder than anyone I've ever read" (Newsday), you expect more.
While I can't say that it was boring, it was only lightly entertaining. The reviewers were spot on when they describe his humor as "dead-pan delivery" (Boston Globe). The often blase, wry, and subtle humor was more on the line of the highbrow or elitist humor that I experienced in the chic areas of metro cities. If you like upper-class New York City style humor, then you will probably enjoy it. A good number of the essays read like the meandering rants found on mediocre blogs where the writer suddenly realizes he needs to give it purpose and so tacks a few pedantic platitudes on the end. It's not all bad, the essays I found most amusing (such as "Adult Figures Charging Toward a Concrete Toadstool" and "Memento Mori") were those that seemed focused and the lessons on humanity's peculiarities were natural threads throughout.
At first, I was surprised and impressed that he did not put his sexual orientation on exhibition as some gay authors do. Instead, Sedaris slowly brings it into the essays allowing it to come forward in the same way that a personality quirk would. As the book progressed, however, his gay lifestyle left its personality quirk status and evolved into, for lack of a better description, "look at me, I'm GAY!" punchlines that I find annoying and degrading to the work.
I regret to say, that I feel much of the praise and hype around this book seems to be because of its appeal to the elitist urbanite and the promotion of an author because he is gay (rather than promoting a gay author because he is a good writer).
Book Review: A Novel Menagerie's Perspective on When You Are Engulfed in Flames
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very funny book filled with David's short stories based on his personal life. At the point that he writes about in his life in this book, he is living in Paris with his boyfriend, Hugh. My biggest regret is not reading Me Talk Pretty One Day prior to reading this book. I just have a feeling that there is a lot more behind the characters of his sisters and parents that would have further engaged me into the short stories about them in this book.
I do have some favorite stories in this book: "It's Catching," "In the Waiting Room," "Solution to Saturday's Puzzle," and "Of Mice and Men." The story in the U-Tube video above is from "Buddy, Can you Spare a Tie." David is the first to make fun of himself in every situation and provides a witty and clever view of human nature that most of us, by now, are immune to. But, when you think about things... he's right. Believe me, there are a few things that I will think twice about before doing after reading this book.
Mr. Sedaris keeps the readers engaged, however not tied to the book. I prefer this because it's the perfect book to set aside when you need to get things done... and, you can slide right back into it without too many brain calisthenics.
David's writing is funny, smart, and a joy to read. I admit, however, that I didn't expect the looks that I'd get at the twins' basketball practice... I must laugh really loud!
Sher's "Out of Ten" Scale:
There is not really a book that I've read that I can compare this one to, for the purposes of a rating this book. This is more than a book filled with short stories, it is a book based on the humor of human nature. As such, I can only really judge it based on my personal opinion... therefore, I am giving it an 8 out of 10.
Book Review: Always entertaining...
Summary: 4 Stars
Every day, we're exposed to dozens of situations that we find funny, sad, ironic, thought provoking, etc. David Sedaris is one of the few people who makes note of such situations and then can turn them into best-selling books. His latest, When You Are Engulfed in Flames successfully follows his usual format.
As with most of his books, Sedaris scatters his stories between his childhood, his young adulthood, and the present. There are stories about his childhood home, one of his first apartments, trying to make friends with a spider, fighting with people on airplanes, and trying to scare away birds with the faces on LP covers. But much of this book is about smoking (The Smoking Section). For anyone who grew up in the 1960s and 1970s where almost everyone smoked anywhere they liked, this will take you down memory lane. Only Sedaris can find the irony in our attitudes about cigarettes. "It seems crazy to cut smoking mothers out of textbooks, but within a few years they won't be allowed in movies either. A woman can throw her newborn child from the roof of a high-rise building. She can then retrieve the body and stomp it while shooting into the windows of a day care center, but to celebrate these murders by lighting a cigarette is to send a harmful message." Also, "It's safe to assume that by 2025, guns will be sold in vending machines, but you won't be able to smoke anywhere in America." He's got a point! He also details (in humorous fashion) his battle to quit smoking.
I always look forward to Sedaris when I need a book that is entertaining. Also, when Sedaris pokes fun at himself (which he often does), I can often identify with his experiences. He has become one of those authors whose books I automatically read when they are published.
Book Review: " WHO WROTE THIS " ?
Summary: 2 Stars
I was a fan of sedaris after reading and laughing out loud at his funniest book titled ," Me Talk Pretty One Day " . In fact , I even said " IF you read that book in public, one of two things would happen "...either people would move away from you thinking you nuts or they would ask what the title was due to all the side splitting laughter.
on the strength of that alone I bought two other of his books . so, so ...some smiles a few laffs.
The next book I read was Holidays On Ice " ...pretty fair some laffs some, smiles...then of course " dress your family >...". But, kept waiting for something of the genre of the first that brought tears to my eyes from all the laughter.
Thank goodness this book was a gift or I'd be trying to figure out just how to get my money back due to false advertisement from the promise of another Great read such as " Me Talk Pretty "...BUT, sorry this is a real waste of money and I'm sad for the person who paid full $25.99 + tx. to give me a b'day gift in these times when $$ is tight . In case anyone is worried...I'll lie and say " what a wonderful read ....many thanks for thinking of me " ...then go straight to confession , mia culpa. If I didn't believe better, I'd swear someone else did the ghost writing on this ....or else he's losing it .
If you feel the need to read this one...then by all means ...buy the $9.99 version or go to the library ...save yourselves people. Sorry Sedaris , BUT, if you are honest, you too know this is a stinker & not up to par. Before I ever plunk down another dollar for one of your books I'll do a lot of checking first( and advise others ) , you're either funny in the first chapter or you're not ...this time you're not !
Book Review: Better than meh!
Summary: 4 Stars
Woo... just read some of the other reviews, and it looks like I liked this book more than the majority. Or at least, felt more strongly about it, since so many are just "mehs". I don't think this collection had as many strong, stand-out essays as his others. But I also think that Sedaris is best listened-to; his pacing sometimes doesn't translate to the page (or at least my head) and it certainly improves his work. Given that, I still thought this was a good collection that's worth reading, if only for "The Smoking Section," his diary of quitting smoking while staying in Japan, along with reflections on how he started smoking and what happens afterwards. It's a nice comparison to learning French in "Me Talk Pretty One Day." His essay on their awful neighbor, Helen, was another really good one. And there are several airplane/airport/hotel situations that you'll appreciate if travel much. Or if you've ever just really hated the person you had to sit next to. Or if you're a competitive cryer. Oh, and if you're dealing with mortality, refer to the chapter on the gift of a skeleton... I cannot remember titles for the life of me!
Overall, the collection seems to focus less on his siblings and parents and more on his life with Hugh. I was lucky to hear him read from these essays while they were still being published, and those memories sort of mixed with reading them. I keep drawing comparisons between his and Hugh's relationship and mine with my husband... it never comes out sounding right, but I see strange similarities. Now I just need to publish and make money selling books. :)
Okay, so back on track - this was a good book. It's not what I'd start on if I'd never read David Sedaris. But it's a good follow-up.