Rating: 
Summary: Sedaris' Best Yet!
Review: Every one of David Sedaris' books has given me moments of pure joy. Humor like his is wonderful. With only words, it is very difficult to be funny. But, Sedaris does it.His is a rare gift. This book stands out among his others in that most of the last half deals with his encounters with French language and culture. In this group of essays, he explores various related themes -- the difficulty of being unable to master the language, feeling insecure in an unfamiliar country, etc. Sedaris isn't afraid to let us know who he is. By opening up to us, we get to see the world his way. And find the humor in situations which he tells us about. The best thing about this book is that by allowing us to see things his way, we experience something like what he tells us he dealt with in regard to French encounters. And, this opportunity to see from a new perspective is great! Keep in mind though -- this is not a boring World Cultures book of essays. This is first rate, intelligent humor.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm giving this to someone I don't like!
Review: Read the reviews. Bought a copy. What a stupid book. Terribly disappointing. I don't agree that Sedaris's humor is "dark." It's nonexistent. Clever? Witty? Nah! Who in their right mind would want to read an essay about someone's disgusting trip to the bathroom? Well, I do know one fellow..
Rating: 
Summary: Me Laughing Still!
Review: The title of this book had me thinking "What could this be?" Having missed Naked and Sedaris' NPR stints, I had no idea what was in store for me. What a treat this book was - many times, I laughed so hard that tears came streaming down my face. "Can't Kill the Rooster", and "Jesus Shaves" were the two chapters that had me gasping for air. Sedaris' wit is genius - and this sick, wonderful look at life through the eyes of one bizarre guy is near perfect. Only problem was - it was so deliciously funny that I read it way too fast. Reminded me just a little of Bridget Jones. If you have an open mind and a slightly warped sense of humor, get this one. Just don't read it on a train!
Rating:
Summary: Laugh Out Loud
Review: I want more! This book was very funny, easy to read and sad to finish (only because I did not want it to end.) The chapters are all thoughts on random events about Sedaris' life. The topics are Seinfeld-ish. They range from talking about a large poo left in the toliet to realizing that he sounds so bad speaking French he just stops talking. The stories get better as you move on so don't become discouraged if you don't like the beginning of the book. I would not recommend this as a gift for a grandparent, an in-law or someone you don't know well as the subject matter may offend. Also, if you're into amazingly well written colorful language, this book may not be for you. His writing style is simple and colorful, but not in a descriptive way. However, if you're looking for a quick read, a good laugh and an escape from your problems, give this book a try.
Rating:
Summary: Hysterical
Review: I brought Me Talk Pretty One Day on vacation with me recently and spent the entire time interrupting my husband's reading with hysterical tears of laughter. I basically read the entire book out loud to him because you can't just read a portion of it. He has such a wonderful ability of describing his life and the people around him. (I can't believe that some of this stuff actually happened). It's a light read and I would recommend it to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Overall a good book
Review: "Me Talk Pretty One Day" is an apt title for Sedaris' well written book. After reading the reader is forced to admit that David has in fact learned to talk pretty through his lucid writting, yet his humor surpasses even his excellent grasp of the english language. The book would be amazing even if it had been written in simple declaritive sentences. The only problem I found with the book was that some of the stories started to drag on, and I wasnt engrossed as I was in some of his other books, notably Barrel Fever. Despite that flaw, David Sedaris' book easily deserves to be on everyone's shelf. The cost may be high, but you can't put a price on laughter...
Rating:
Summary: Irreverent; a very funny book
Review: The one and only real measure of success for a book like Me Talk Pretty One Day is whether or not it makes me laugh. And this book made me laugh. The tales are autobiographical and many are so outlandish that you wonder how much artistic license Sedaris takes in his tales of family life. But the result is consistently on-target, in a strange random kind of way. I found myself zipping through the lines of text eagerly awaiting the next irreverent insight that would crack me up. Among my favorite characters: the abusive French teacher (who comments "every day spent with you is like having a caesarian section") and Sedaris' foul mouthed rap music loving brother who calls himself "the Rooster" (many funny Rooster quotes, but none suitable to post in a this review.) There are few books that I've read that have truly made me laugh out loud, and this one ranks among the top. There is a bit of filler, but overall I was amazed that Sedaris was able to keep it up for the book's 270 page length. A very funny book.
Rating:
Summary: Great stuff, but try the audio casette version
Review: I'm not going to repeat in detail what is said in the many other excellent reviews here about the hilarity contained in "Me Talk Pretty One Day," except to say I agree 100% with these effusive takes on David Sedaris' latest effort. One highlight: I almost drove off the road listening to the accounts of Sedaris' French class with his sadistic teacher telling him - in English "I hate you. I hate every day with you. Each day with you is like giving birth by cesarean section." Now I don't know what that read like in the book, but I'm here to make a pitch for the audio casette version. Sedaris' voice, understated delivery, and hilarious imitations make the extra investment you'll need to purchase the tapes worth every cent. I'm sure 'Giants Dreams, Midget Abilities' is a hilarous read, but hearing him imitate his instructor, Mr. Mancini, will put your enjoyment of the tale on a whole different level. And there's Sedaris' Billy Holiday imation in the same tale...frankly, I had to compose myself to finish this review because I'm chuckling so hard remembering all this great stuff. Buy the tapes.
Rating:
Summary: Me Like--A Lot!
Review: If you like Dave Barry or Carl Hiaasen's geographical outlandish humor--you'll enjoy Me Talk Pretty One Day. Pity the poor Sedaris family. The things their famous relative writes about them -- in addition to what he says as a regular contributor to National Public Radio -- must have the clan in a state of permanent cringe. That is, if the situations in the latest collection of blisteringly funny pieces (28 in all) by the 43-year-old rapscallion David Sedaris were not so hillariously exaggerated. A sun-worshipping sister is lampooned for being "tanorexic," and he lists his mom's hobbies as smoking, napping and reading the works of kitsch-maestro Sidney Sheldon. Then there is Sedaris pére, a former IBM engineer, who, says the son, hoards food so obsessively that his closet still contains expired six-packs of Sego, the chalky chocolate diet drink of the 1960s. And what are we to make of the claim that in the author's childhood North Carolina household there was an unending turnover of pets, all afflicted with a failure to thrive? As he puts it, "Another day, another collar." Humor shining through a brilliantly twisted satirist.
Rating: 
Summary: Probably not a good idea to read too much at once
Review: Just a cautionary note: I tried to read a bunch of Sedaris' stuff in rapid succession. I liked "Holidays on Ice" and "Naked" so much, I couldnt' wait for this one. Well, I should have probably stopped and read some Spalding Gray or something first. Cuz I have to admit, I got a little tired of it all. After so many adventures with the guy, his come-what-may narration and constant striving for failure, well, you start to agree with him. I'm not saying it's not a good book. By all means read it if you can. Just don't OD on it, or like me, you will have a hard time appreciating it.
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