Rating: 
Summary: Naughty fun
Review: The phrase "laugh-out-loud funny" is thrown around a lot, but it's truly the best term to describe "Barrel Fever". This book is hilarious. David Sedaris' essays are full of ridiculous, delusional, and frighteningly normal characters who you both laugh (hysterically) at and at the same time can see parts of yourself in. David seems to understand that human beings are the funniest when they are the most self-unaware and plagued with delusions of grandeur. I'd also recommend "Naked" and "Me Talk Pretty One Day".
Rating: 
Summary: Takes a while to get used to
Review: I picked up this book because I've heard about David Sedaris but had never read anything by him. I have to concur with the reviews that cite the first few stories as less-than-stellar. Heavy on imagery and light on humor, the first three or four left me wondering why I bothered, but I soldiered on. I just started "Santaland Diaries" which I plan on finishing sometime today. Overall, I'd say this is probably not the best intro to Sedaris (of course, I have yet to read anything else, so take that as you will). Season's Greetings and some various other stories breathe life into the book midway through, but it's a struggle for the first forty pages. Nonetheless, I don't regret buying it, and perhaps a second time reading it will yield a more positive review. Sedaris' favorite subject is himself and his relations to the world, and I like his wit when he lets it show through. If you like the biting humor of Joe Queenan, then Sedaris is right up your alley. Even though I haven't read anything else yet, I feel safe in saying this is probably not the best introduction to his work, however.
Rating:
Summary: SantaLand Diaries: simply hilarious
Review: Do not drink while reading "SantaLand Diaries," the final piece in Barrel Fever. Do not drink milk, water, soda, scotch, or anything liquid. It is is so milk-out-the-nose funny you should keep your reading area liquid free until you're done imbibing this story. Buying this book just for SantaLand Diaries is well worth whatever you pay. It is witty and wild and Sedaris demonstrates an understanding of human nature like a seasoned sociologist or psychologist but with a wicked sense of humor. It's the kind of story you want to take to a neighbor, a friend, a complete stranger just so they can have a laugh this good.
Rating: 
Summary: Your thoughts / opinions needed
Review: I have only read the book once, but I had a question regarding the story "About Malison". I thought the story was a fascinating look at pseudo-intellectuals in academia, as well as a not-so-subtle homage to O'Connor (as the writing styles are similar and, ironically, the story actually makes reference to the "overrated" writer "O'Flannery"). However, what was the deal with the end of the story? Was the crippled man ACTUALLY Malison? If so, who was the "Malison" that she met at the previous lecture? If not, how did the crippled man know Malison, if he did know him? And what exactly was he celebrating in the hotel lounge? Any opinions would be appreciated.
Rating:
Summary: It's NOT "Naked II"
Review: After hearing Mr. Sedaris on "This American Life" and after reading "Christmas on Ice" I was expecting something different from this book. It IS good, don't let me tell you otherwise, but it is not what I expected. This work is much more insightful than it is funny - which is nice when one is sitting alone in a coffee shop, on a rainy afternoon, but unwelcome if one is expecting humor. This is a good text, as long as the reader can take it for what it is, and not expect it to be "Naked II."
Rating: 
Summary: this book [is bad]
Review: this books [is bad]. not at all like NAKED or ME TALK PRETTY...
expected it to be funny but instead it is boring ...
Rating:
Summary: Have to Side With the Mixed Bag Reviewers
Review: To be brief, the stories included in this volume are insipid, contrived and humorless. A couple of the essays are keepers, particularly the SANTALAND DIARIES. If the rest of the book had measured up to that standard, I would say that the glowing reviews on the book's jacket were deserved. As it stands, I don't see how they could have been reading the same material, as 80% of the book is almost unreadable. The opening story, PARADE, is a good indicator of what is to follow. It purports to be about all the male celebrities that Sedaris has had sex with, including such disparate figures as E.G. Marshall and Bruce Springsteen. Is this supposed to pass as campy humor, or something? If so, I just don't get it. A later "story" about a newsletter from a homophobe, is equally banal, relying solely on some easily triggered reader reaction, rather than on actual cleverness or wit. THE SANTALAND DIARIES does merit praise. The blurb from the reviewer referring to Sedaris' mixture of pathos and humor definitely applies to this article. Sedaris vividly describes what it is like to work as an elf in a large NYC department store's mock North Pole. His depictions of the other elves and the various Santas are hilarious. He is equally adept at conveying the mob mentality of the parents who drag their children through a two hour line so that they can have Christmas pictures to send to friends and relatives. It's rather a distressing portrait. Though this is my sole exposure to Sedaris' writing, I'd have to say that his sister, Amy (STRANGERS WITH CANDY) has the more fully developed sense of humor. Now THAT'S a funny show! BK
Rating: 
Summary: Not up to the usual Sedaris standards
Review: Another bestseller from the humorist; I bought this in blind faith because it was a Sedaris. However, I admit I was a tad disappointed. In some of the essays, it felt like he was trying too hard to be funny; the stories seemed to lack the polish found in "Naked," "Me Talk Pretty One Day," or "Holidays on Ice." If you must read this, borrow it from a library or buy it used.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing, go elsewhere
Review: Surely one of his lesser appreciated works, but with good reason. "Me Talk Pretty" and "Naked" are eons ahead in terms of style, wit, and humor. "Barrel Fever" is much darker and lacks the polish and playful tone that won him Time magazine's 2001 Humorist of the Year award and the Thurber Prize for American Humor. If you're an audio-book enthusiast Sedaris has no equal for delivery and punch. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Not his best
Review: Two of the stories in here were in other books of his I read, which was disappointing. This book is already pretty small. Most of this one is stories, which I find, generally, to be less enjoyable than his essays.
If you haven't read any Sedaris yet, I really recommend picking up Me Talk Pretty One Day first. I really liked that collection. This one was disappointing in comparison.
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