Rating: 
Summary: You Talkin' Plenty Pretty To Me
Review: From the first essay, a particular favorite, to the last, with Me Talk Pretty One Day, David Sedaris proves once again that he is one of the most hilarious writers on the face of the planet.His gift of expression through the written word flows as freely and effortlessly out his pen and across the page as the process of breathing is to the rest of us. In "Go Carolina" Sedaris tells the story of the lisping speech impediment he had as a kid and is one of the best essays in this new collection. It will leave you rolling on the floor, doubled over in laughter! If you're a bit down in the dumps, depressed, or merely suffering from a slight case of the blues, these marvelously observed stories and essays will put a smile back on your face and make you forget why you were blue in the first place. If you've never experienced the humor and wit of David Sedaris, grab your wallet, purse, or pocketbook, get out your credit card, and order up any or all of his books - Barrel Fever, Naked, Holidays on Ice, or this wonderful new collection, Me Talk Pretty One Day. You won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Sedaris at his best!
Review: I loved it! It was impossible to put down. I laughed until I cried.
Rating: 
Summary: A Tribe of Kiln-Roasted Chilean Toadstools
Review: This collection is incredibly funny. Nobody spins a demented yarn quite like Sedaris and if a fraction of his observations reflect his actual experience, then his is a life (and mind) of epic comic proportions. Though the book seems somewhat fractured due to the previous publication of some if its stories, its hilarity will stick to your ribs like meatloaf poached in seawater.
Rating:
Summary: one of a kind
Review: no one else writes with the charm of david sedaris. although I'm sure it's not, his writing seems effortless. I enjoyed this collection as much as Naked and, as always, I loved the pieces about Sedaris' family most dearly (two notables: his father's food storage habits; sister amy's fat suit).
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Summary: Wonderful Funny Bits, But Sedaris Needs to Stretch Himself
Review: I agree with most of the enthusiastic comments below -- the pieces, especially the ones on living in France, are hilarious. I found myself guffawing loudly, despite my best efforts, while reading this book in a "quiet" academic study space. The glares were worth it. Still, it seems here that Sedaris is repeating himself. The material on his father is more than reminiscent of the stuff in _Naked_ (a wonderful boook), and, more seriously, it seems at times that Sedaris is looking for quirky situations to write about, and stretching them out to make an interesting tale. The stretchmarks are evident, and the result is an unfortunate sense of contrivance. This peeks in at the ends of several stories (his wrap-ups here are substandard), and it is most clear in the piece about the woman trapped in the amusement park ride. This problem emerged only briefly at the end of _Naked_, in the nudist camp sequence, which felt to me like a mission in search of weirdness without enough self-reflection about Sedaris's own position. I'd like to see Sedaris break out into a longer form, either in fiction or non-fiction, something more sustained and requiring a more concentrated effort of his brilliant comedic talent. This is, overall, deeply pleasureful to read: it would make a fine Father's Day gift for an open-minded dad.
Rating:
Summary: The Intimate David Sedaris: more Naked than Barrel Fever
Review: Casual readers of the title of this review will no doubt wonder if Mr. Sedaris was naked in Barrel Fever, perhaps appearing nude in its pages or in the buff while writing it. But those of us who know and love Sedaris (and recognize "Naked" and "Barrel Fever" as the titles of his two wonderful books) should rejoice in the release of Me Talk Pretty One Day. Do not expect an essay on the perils of homosexual love with Mike Tyson, like the one that graced Barrel Fever. Me Talk Pretty continues the trajectory begun with Naked. The work is still funny, but it's not side splitting like Santaland Diaries was; instead, it has the humor of honesty: these things are funny because they happened, and because they happened to someone with such a noticable gift for conveying personal tragedy as Mr. Sedaris. Indeed, Me So Pretty is, if anything, more naked than Naked. Perhaps you thought that Mr. Sedaris had no more secrets to reveal, no nooks and crannies of his early personal life left unilluminated after his 1998 autobiography. Me So Pretty proves that, at least for someone as talented as Mr. Sedaris, there is no end to facets that can be evoked from one's life. Or the giggles.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding: I almost shot coffee out of my nose...
Review: What can be said? Truly one of the best story tellers around. Yes, I've read a number of the stories in other places previously or heard him read them live (a treat unto itself) but I cracked up just as hard the second time. The new ones were hysterical. Do yourself a favor and catch him live. The book was well worth the wait. Outstanding.
Rating:
Summary: try to not laugh outloud!
Review: I always look forward to spending time inside the mind of David Sedaris. I don't know how many times I have read Naked and Barrel Fever ( if you haven't read either get thee to thy shopping cart! ) He doesn't disappoint this go around either. Marvelously twisted and dead on. From being tagged a "future homosexual" to foul mouthed siblings, you will laugh out loud and then read out loud to anyone within earshot. If you've ever watched his equally wicked sister Amy's show on Comedy Central, the equally perverse,twisted, and hilarious "Strangers with Candy", you will wonder what went on in that house? And wish you had been part of it. If I could invite three men to drinks it would be Bob Smith, Dan Savage and David Sedaris.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: After a 3 year wait since Naked, it's a bit of a letdown that this book is made largely of material that has been printed elsewhere. After being such a fan I suppose it's my own fault for having sought out his various articles in anticipation of a new book. But so much recycled material is disappointing, better for a paperback perhaps. There are some very good laughs and expected Sedaris worldview, but the tone is disjointed, rushed- it's magazine writing on deadline basically. Descriptions of life in Paris and 22 -city book tours (like a rock star) are also not likely to appeal to readers who enjoyed his hilarious depictions of life in the working classes. He seems to be above it all, moved on from crude America, and the work is far less engaging for it.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth the wait!
Review: "Me Talk Pretty One Day" is the most enjoyable read I have had so far this year. Anyone who has read "Naked" will appreciate the continuing adventures of David Sedaris. There is no other writer who can tell a story like this man. (No, I'm not one of his sisters). "Me Talk Pretty One Day" is comprised of various essays about family, relationships, New York, France, pets and the most interesting situations that happen in the life of this most talented writer. This book will make you laugh out loud, particularly if you have ever thought of yourself or your family as eccentric. I thank David Sedaris for speaking out in such an honest way about his life for our reading pleasure. Can't wait for the next book!
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