Rating: 
Summary: when only the weirdest will do
Review: I crankily believe that 90% of modern American pop culture is generated by the same six people. Davis Sedaris is not, thankfully, one of those people. His book is so weird and unpredictable that I found myself alternately gasping and giggling throughout the short time in which I devoured it.
I too spent my childhood in NC and had that delicious, goofy "HEY! I'VE BEEN THERE!" reaction when he mentioned places like Greensboro and the Raleigh Art Museum, and when he commented that his speech teacher thought "pen" was a two-syllable word. I am also a former student of French, a sometime participant in odd theater pieces, and blessed(?) with a remarkably peculiar family. Therefore my laughs were that much louder because of the classic "It's funny because it's true!" principle of comedy.
In the Seinfeld era of mass-produced catchphrases, I appreciate Sedaris' dry and inventive manipulation of language. Several of his turns of phrase have already wormed their way in to my daily conversation. I have begun to nurture my inner vachette. I would like to personally thank the author for writing the phrase "I was sitting at home, braiding the bristles on my whisk broom" because it is the most inexplicably hilarious image I've encountered in a long time. It's funny because it's true. Most of us are really that weird.
Rating: 
Summary: David Sedaris, the caustic charmer
Review: David Sedaris's latest is both memoir and travelogue, a compilation of the foibles and reflections of the sardonic social critic and humorist. Made popular by 1998's Naked and long-standing appearances on NPR, Sedaris again delivers the same wit and insight as in previous volumes, with the addition of his skewed version of the American living abroad-in this case, France. Sedaris's family and upbringing are the subject of many of the essays, most notably "You Can't Kill the Rooster," a hilarious description of the fantastically foul-mouthed youngest member of the Sedaris clan. "Twelve Months in the Life of the Artist," delves into Sedaris's brief stint in the land of human hair sculpture and performance art. Equally raucous and charming as the family pieces are Sedaris's commentaries on French culture. Having gone to live in France with his boyfriend, Sedaris finds himself mired in a new culture and-much to his horror-a new language, the consonants and vowels of which both escape and dumbfound him. The title essay takes its name for one of many classroom scenes in which Sedaris attempts, along with other, equally handicapped students, to master French. Enter the sadistic French teacher who mocks student responses and a scene in which the multi-ethnic classroom tries to explain the differences between French and American observance of Easter, revealing the inherent idiocy of the both versions. In "Picka Pocktoni," Sedaris finds himself face-to-face with two American tourists who assume that he is both French and-as they loudly and damningly discuss-a body-odor-ridden subway pickpocket. Sedaris's razor-sharp insights and devious queries into human nature make him the popualr humorist he is and will remain, wehther imported or domestic.
Rating: 
Summary: Just short of the mark...
Review: David Sedaris certainly has the knack for spinning a hilarious yarn, but a number of these stories left me wondering how they passed the test for being included in a book.It has a some laugh-out-loud moments, but not quite as good as Barrel Fever.
Rating:
Summary: A primer for those traveling to France
Review: A friend recommended this book to me, saying that it is "hilarious". While I didn't find it rolling-on-the-floor funny, it does have its smile-inducing moments. Basically a series of personal essays about the author's life in North Carolina, New York, and ultimately France, it is filled with amusing bits that can be appreciated by the resident of a country town or an urban dweller. I, for one, could really relate to his dislike of computers and his appreciation for the typewriter. His takes on our fascination with technology, youth, and intelligence are on the mark. The book takes flight in part "Deux" where the humorist relates much about life in France. When he discusses the American couple mistaking him as a Parisian pickpocket, I couldn't stop laughing at these dim-witted "ugly Americans." His revelation of French customs will be beneficial to anyone planning a trip to that much-visited country. I thank my friend for this introduction. I will be reading more by this author.
Rating:
Summary: side-splittingly funny
Review: My absolute favorite humor writer is Dave Barry, but Sedaris gives him a run for the money. His sense of humor is different than Barry's, but his ascerbic observations will have most readers howling in the aisle. One of his crasser stories, Big Boy, had me gasping for breath. Who hasn't encountered a giant turd "no toilet paper or anything, just this long and coiled specimen, as thick as a burrito" in a bathroom and has had to deal with it? If this kind of humor offends you, pick another book to read. His stories of trying to learn French are hilarious as well, particularly the American couple on the train who assume that Sedaris does not speak English because they are in Paris. The husband says loudly to his wife, "Peeeew, can you smell that? That is pure French baby...this little froggy is ripe," referring to our narrator! Of course, he understands everything, but doesn't want to give away his English abilities until he hears what other stupid things they have to say. I also loved the final story about his immigrant father who stashed away ancient food items so that they didn't go to waste. After insisting on eating a very old carrot, his father pretends to enjoy it as the carrot, "too weak to resist, quietly surrendered to the force of his jaws." Sedaris is very observant and these essays are filled with self-deprecating humor and funny tales that will keep you reading until people on the train with you with wonder what is making you laugh so uncontrollably.
Rating:
Summary: Savor the laughter!!!
Review: I have taken my sweet time getting to the end of this book. And now I am rewarded for my efforts. Sedaris's 'Dress your family...' is about to arrive on June 1st. HIP HIP HOORAY!!!! 'Me talk pretty...' is so WONDERFULLY REFRESHING. I have taken a lot of time to get through it because I just don't want it to end. But NOW I can finish it and enjoy a new Sedaris book in just a few days. 'Naked' was my first introduction to Sedaris and I found myself laughing even harder with 'Me talk pretty one day'. He depicts his life adventures (trully that is what they are) with such dry humor that you will indeed find yourself laughing in public, if you chose to venture outdoors with his books. The reader should be warned! I LOVE DAVID SEDARIS!!! BUY HIS BOOKS, NOW.
(Except for 'Barrel Fever', not as funny.)
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious!!!
Review: I'm reading this book again on the eve of a family week-long trip to Paris. Although I know I thoroughly enjoyed the book the first time, it is just and funny and fresh on the second read. I'm not the type who normally laughs out loud while reading or watching t.v. for that matter, but certain pieces in this book have had me in TEARS!!! David Sedaris is a genius! I strongly recommend this book to anyone who likes brainy satire and enjoys a good laugh...
Rating:
Summary: One of The Funniest Books....Ever!
Review: This is one of the best books I've come across in a long long time! His next book will say "Author of Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, and all of the best!" or "Just read it ... you'll like it!". After reading the first few chapters, I had to start my search for all of his other books! His stories are amazing and funny accounts of his life, which has been blessed with a comedic family and interesting events. There are about two chapters that I thought had parts that dragged, but they were very small parts. Other than that, I couldn't put the book down. In the middle of the book ("Big Boy") there is a story that spans only a few pages but had me in tears laughing and holding my stomach. I made my whole family read it and although they are not as into comedy as I am, they loved it and had the same reaction. Sedaris is one of the best comic writers of all time. Another very funny, very smart book I'd like to recommend is WILL@epicqwest.com by Tom Grimes, satiric and hilarious -- a total winner.
Rating:
Summary: Sedaris At His Best
Review: Sedaris' take on everyday life, work, growing up in the south with decidedly northern parents, and life as an American living in Paris is an amazingly witty and entertaining read. His observations on the obsurdity of everyday life is often much more entertaining than his ficitonal essays, like those that fill the majority of one of Sedaris' other books Barrel Fever.
Rating:
Summary: Pretty, interesting and useful
Review: I recommend that you dash out and purchase a copy of Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. I've been reading this one, snuggled under my duvet, and it's hysterical. David takes us on a comic journey growing up in the deep south of the USA, then though many tragicomic adventures as he follows boyfriend, Hugh, to Paris. Good books are often pretty, interesting and useful. This one defiantly qualifies for all three.
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