Rating:  Summary: The best Review: Sedaris's best work by far is this book, Me Talk Pretty One day. I've read everything the guy has written, but this one takes the prize. If you don't laugh non-stop while reading this, run, don't walk to the doctor and have a check-up as you may not still be breathing. Also try J. McCrae's book, Bark of the Dogwood--A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens--equally funny, or read Sedaris's other books: Naked, Barrel Fever, or Holidays on Ice.
Rating:  Summary: There aren't enough stars for this one Review: Why not ten stars? This is by far, hands down, the funniest book I have ever read. Naked and Barrel Fever follow right behind. The descriptions of the French language in Me Talk Pretty are hysterical and my favorite story in the book had to be the one with the speech therapist. You can't go wrong with a book this clever. Would also recommend McCrae's BARK OF THE DOGWOOD.
Rating:  Summary: Disappointing and poorly written Review: Some authors are able to write humorous 'autobiographical' novels that really capture the attention. David Sedaris does NOT fall into that category. Me Talk Pretty One Day is more like the inane ramblings of a 12 year old than the work of a supposed comic genius.The first half of the book seems utterly pointless, badly thought through and amateurishly written - there is probably good material here, although Sedanis falls victim of his own misplaced self-belief that he is a writer, with purile observations that are badly structured and poorly conveyed. Interestingly, the second half of the book improves immeasurably, written far more wittily and in a much more mature and thougtfully amusing style ... although he's still not a "comic genius" as the back cover would lead us to believe.
Rating:  Summary: Thank Sedaris There¿s More! Review: I'm 46 and didn't know I was the laugh-out-loud type until I read this hilarious collection of 28 essays. From a big family myself, I enjoyed reading about Sedaris' no-nonsense mother and slightly daffy ("He's an engineer," is the excuse) father -- and the childhoods he and his eclectic siblings shared and must still shake their heads about. Sedaris also entertains with essays about life in New York and France. Favorites are "Jesus Shaves," in which a class of adults learning French clumsily explains the concept of Easter; "You Can't Kill the Rooster," an exaggeration of the lowered expectations that older siblings see their parents applying to the younger siblings; and "The Youth in Asia," with its funny and poignant perspective on pets. I reached for the book at every free moment over the past two days, until I was exhausted and felt like an addict desiring ever more of the thing that was destroying him. Just before finishing the book, I ordered in a fresh supply -- Sedaris' previous volumes, "Naked" and "Holidays on Ice."
Rating:  Summary: Hilarious! Review: David Sedaris is ready for his close-up. His latest book, Me Talk Pretty One Day, confirms that the man is a Great American Humorist. Me Talk Pretty One Day is divided into two sections. The first consists of a series of autobiographical sketches ranging from Sedaris's experiences as a fifth-grade lisper to his current frustrations with cyber culture. The second, which Sedaris has titled "Deux" (helpfully adding a footnote for the linguistically impaired that "Deux" means "Two"), details Sedaris's frustrations as an American living in France. The first set of essays is notable for combining edgy, occasionally racuous humor with heightened sensitivity. Very often Sedaris is simply very funny, describing his stint as a teacher at the Art Institute of Chicago, where he assigned his students to write stories predicting the following day's happenings on One Life to Live, or relaying his annoyance at having to tolerate airport security guards' advice to trade his trusty typewriter in for a laptop ("That's their job, to stand around in an ill-fitting uniform and tell you how you should lead your life"). But like Twain, Parker, Franken, and Buckley, Sedaris has the ability to mix humor with his own experience and derive the political or philosophical. Best of all, he does so without sounding preachy or overbearing. Great stuff! I'd also like to recommend two other recent Amazon picks: WILL@epicqwest.com by Tom Grimes, The Losers' Club by Richard Perez
Rating:  Summary: Hilarious! Review: I've read this book twice, and it was even funnier the second time. Sedaris has had very interesting and amusing life experiences, and he's more than willing to share these with us. As a chain-smoking, lisping homosexual in a country that has banned smoking for the most part and often detests gay men with "effeminate" characteristics, Sedaris is unabashed and certainly not regretful. He shares his experiences of his quirky family that includes his sister Amy Sedaris, former star of "Strangers with Candy" and his rotten-fruit-eating father. He recounts his struggles with a speech therapist who attempts to correct his lisping (the apparently obvious mark of homosexuality) and his brilliant tactics to avoid its correction. Many of his stories are taken from his time in France where he lived with his boyfriend Hugh. These stories successfully convey both the difficulties and joys of living the expatriate life - appreciating a new culture, learning a new language, and viewing American tourists in a new and often all too revealing light. The best of his stories, in my opinion, unleashes onto us his younger brother, a foul-mouthed, gangster rap fan who is a stark contrast to his father but is his most dependable support. This particular story really demonstrates what Sedaris is capable of. It's incredibly funny but so poignant at the same time. This book will make you laugh at loud, and I hope you get a chance to read it. Make sure you check out "Naked" also for more of Sedaris' brilliance.
Rating:  Summary: My favorite book Review: If you think the written words of Mr. Sedaris are entertaing then invest in the audio version.
Rating:  Summary: Amusing.......... Review: Author David Sedaris weaves a series of lighthearted anecdotal essays into an amusing and somewhat engaging book. Well written, the book flows easily. But I have to admit that unlike many of the previous Amazon.com reviewers I did not find Me Talk Pretty One Day to be particularly laugh-out-loud funny. Amusing and entertaining, yes. A smirk and a smile every now and then. But it's more like a good walk and a bright sunny day. Very enjoyable but not tremendously memorable. Good if you are looking for something easy to pass the time.
Rating:  Summary: AWFUL!!! Review: After reading glowing reviews of this book, I decided to purchase it and looked forward to laughing. The negative reviews mostly claim the book is weird. Well, that never scared me off before. However, it's whiny, too much emphasis on drugs (maybe if I'd ever done drugs this would be amusing) and just the tale of a depressing loser.
Rating:  Summary: Is he always this weird? Review: This is the first book I've read from David Sedaris. Sedaris tells some interesting stories, but be warned that they are all a little weird for a small town girl. His family seems to enjoy making each other crazy and/or grossing each other out far too much. Some of his essays are enjoyable reads, but the chapter on his brother was made up entirely up the 'f' word in all it's gloified variations. This is good writing? And, by the way, while some of Me Talk Pretty is good, none of it is laugh-out-loud funny as the jacket describes.
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