When You Are Engulfed in Flames
by David Sedaris
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Book Reviews of When You Are Engulfed in Flames
Book Review: Rambling musings....
Summary: 2 Stars
I puchased the audio book narrated by the author, himself.
I had never read or even heard of Mr. Sedaris before.
If I had to capsulize this book in a sentence, I would call it "Rambling musings of an aging, self-loathing 'queen'." (And I don't mean the last word to be pejorative or homophobic in the least.) Some of the shorter vignettes are quite droll and mildly diverting. In the main, though, I found the autobiographical tales to be dull and a bit depressing. The longest of the essays, called "Smoking Section" is practically a daily log. It goes on far too long and failed utterly to hold this listener's interest. Even the two or three essays recorded before live audiences, where they evoked audible laughter, did not make me laugh out loud.
I think I'll go to the library and try to find one of Mr. Sedaris's older books -- the ones the some other reviewers promise to be actully funny. Maybe his writing was more interesting when he was drunk and/or stoned.
I may be being a bit over-critical. Any work that piques my interest enough to look for something by the same author can't be entirely unsuccessful.
Book Review: more introspective than for laughs
Summary: 4 Stars
While looking though the other reviews of this collection of essays, I have to admit that most reviewers seem to be leaving out an important aspect of this book. Yes, David Sedaris is an amazing author with the ability to turn minor day-to-day traumas into laugh-inducing tales, but he is also excellent at portraying the less-than-glamorous side of life into riveting, sometimes shocking tales that often make the reader reflect upon their on life experiences. I found that this collection is filled with more of the latter and less of the humerous essays, which isn't a bad thing. Granted, I will admit that I prefer the ones that make me laugh out loud, and there are a few of those in this book, but not as many as his others; this book seems to be more of a reflection on happenings that have shaped or touched the auther. While I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good read, maybe a warning could be issued to some Sedaris fans that this collection is definitely on the heavier side and that this is not a book filled with laughs, though, of course, it does have it's moments!Book Review: One Man's Opinion
Summary: 2 Stars
I read the critics' reviews on this book and picked it up without a moment's hesitation. Once I'd reached page 50, I realized something. This book isn't funny. Now, I'm not one who looks for laughing out loud when I read a book. Intelligent humor, like the kind I believe Douglas Adams provided, is always my preference. I didn't go into this read looking for the equivalent of a stand-up routine, but I found that, while Sedaris' narrative is well constructed and delivered, what it delivers is no more than a story you would expect to find on a Saturday afternoon movie on some local channel. I found the story to be slow and not at all enthralling. I don't intend to insult the author nor his previous works, but I feel like I traded in $17 for a story I'd beg relatives not to retell for the millionth time. Granted, I've not finished this book. If I am wrong, I apologize. However, if after 50 pages the author cannot captivate me, I can't see the point in finishing their novel; especially when there are so many other books to read! All in all, I was very disappointed. That's just one man's opinion, though.Book Review: I want my money back!
Summary: 2 Stars
Seriously - why all the rave over this guy? After reading the reviews of this book and his others I thought this would be a sure thing. How disappointing ... I have gotten through about 50 pages (admittedly not a lot of the book) but those 50 pages included 4 different stories. None of which made me laugh, not even a little. Sure it's readable, and certainly more entertaining then most books; but not nearly as earth shatteringly fabulous as other will lead you to believe. Even the writing is not impressive, I have been passed so many incomplete thoughts I am lost. Perhaps you need to have read his other books to understand but he constantly refers to people as if you already know who they are but I for one do not; I think to myself "is this person his brother, his boyfriend, a stranger or an imaginary person" ... I have no clue but I keep trucking along.
If you are already a Sedaris fan or if you are desperate for something to pass the time in jury duty ... go for it. Otherwise do not waste the time or money.
Book Review: Mixed nuts from a very funny man
Summary: 3 Stars
I'll confess that short story and essay collections take me forever to read, they're just too easy to put down. Also, my affections for Sedaris run hot and cool; he's funny, there's no getting around it. However, I find that I tend to tire of his "little" stories when taken in large doses and prefer listening to Sedaris read his own work. His storytelling gifts are prodigious, as well as idiosyncratic; no one can read Sedaris better than Sedaris.
So, what's my opinion of this new collection? Mixed; there is certainly a redundancy of themes and characters. However, if you're a fan (and I am), you'll find this exactly as you'd expect. I skipped around and back and forth. My favorite pieces were the masterful "This Old House," "That's Amore" (you'll never forget Helen), "Old Faithful" and the final, novella length, "The Smoking Section." On the whole the collection is too long and not as strong as the sum of its parts. However, what works is vintage, making it well worth reading.