When You Are Engulfed in Flames
by David Sedaris
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Book Reviews of When You Are Engulfed in Flames
Book Review: Best Yet
Summary: 5 Stars
I have enjoyed Sedaris' stories for years, in books, on NPR, and on long road trips when I favor his books on tape over all others. I find him ridiculous (in a hilarious way) and poignant as an author. This book is my very favorite yet.
I have to say that not every story in this book made me crack up laughing aloud. Many did, of course, but not every one. There was a great depth of emotion in this particular collection, and I found my heart aching for some characters and the author himself at various points in the book, then doubling up laughing again in no time. All my favorite humorists convey serious messages as well, and all of the best comedians can make you laugh at something terribly tragic without losing the importance of it.
My only regret about this book is that I read it so very quickly -- devoured it, really. I wish that I had savored it and extended my enjoyment as long as physically possible!
Book Review: Running out of material?
Summary: 2 Stars
I was bemoaning the fact that I am busy the night David Sedaris is appearing nearby. If he is going to read from "When You Are Engulfed In Flames", I am not upset that I will be missing it. I thought about 3 of the 20 or so stories in the book were funny - no where near as many laugh-out-loud moments as in "Me Talk Pretty One Day" which I recently reread. Many stories were disgusting and/or vulgar without the payoff of a laugh (Hugh lancing David's boil shows love but I didn't need to read about it). Other stories had a tone of "look at me - aren't I quirky?" such as the one where David feeds his pet spiders flies or David awkwardly tries to make small talk. I am wondering if he has milked dry the truly funny parts of his life - like his childhood and family. Now he spends so much time on planes and doing book tours that several stories are set in planes and taxis - and the material just isn't that good. I was disappointed!
Book Review: quirky and fun for a sedaris newbie
Summary: 3 Stars
this was my first Sedaris book and although not totally blown away, it was definitely entertaining and good fun. i listened to the audio version, which is narrated by Sedaris himself and although this is not an old book (pub. 2008), the dry sarcasm and tone of his voice was reminiscent of an older style of stand up comedy.
the book is written in short stories of various happenings in Sedaris's life, including babysitting experiences of his younger days, what it what like going public about being gay, his crazy neighbors (which i can completely relate to!) and a more recent effort to quit smoking. there were definite highs and lows in the stories, with some absolutely hysterical laugh out loud moments in between. some stories held my interest more than others, notably That's Amore and The Smoking Section, but regardless, it was worth the time spent and i would probably pick up another Sedaris book someday.
Book Review: Running out of steam?
Summary: 3 Stars
While David Sedaris is still one of the premier essayists of this generation, his most recent book just didn't really do it for me, and I think he's in danger of kinda treading water a little bit. I mean, really, how many hilarious stories can he still have left to tell? I can remember reading 'Naked' and 'Me Talk Pretty...' and literally having to bite my tongue as tears streamed down my cheeks because I was laughing so hard (but laughing hysterically out loud for no apparent reason on the subway in New York tends to make people nervous!). This book, that didn't happen. There were a few funny stories, some good insightful moments, but I'm not sure that i'd pick up another Sedaris book. Might be time for him to try a new genre, he's a brilliant writer, but I'm just not sure how much of this kind of stuff he can keep pumping out. Still highly recommended, just start with 'Naked' or 'Me Talk Pretty...'Book Review: Funny, but he has done better
Summary: 3 Stars
Allow me to go on record: I am a David Searis fan, a fellow North Carolinian who has greater appreciation for his occasional local references and nuances. That said, it is out of respect for his other work that I rate this one a three-star lesson in mediocrity. Certainly, his self-effacing humor and his ability to find a story in even the most mundane shine through. But 83 pages designated as "The Smoking Section," a tome dedicated to David's cigarette cessation experience, was tiresome. It read like a smoker's quit diary, and it lacked his usual insight into human behavior. Other people usually are not as impressed with our addiction stories as we are with our own, and such is the case here. Maybe by now he has put cigarettes behind him, and the reader will not have to endure the withdrawal.