Rating: 
Summary: good, but not that good
Review: This book would probably receive 5 stars if I were a gay man, but I'm not. Some of it is just a little too harsh for my liking. But it's still very funny and worth the read if you're a Sedaris fan.
Rating: 
Summary: If I could talk to everyone....
Review: ...You don't have to be, "a rabid homophobe" not to enjoy a fair portion of this book. The sexual content (especially early on) borders on graphic and offensive and is entirely too pervasive to be ignored....I would say to people who have bought this, but haven't yet read it(especially Sedaris fans), it gets better after the first few stories. I was pretty sure after two stories I would never make it through. But it picked up enough to make me finish it. And, having done so, I'm not terribly disappointed. ...I would say to people who haven't read any Sedaris, not to start on this one. "Naked" and "Me Talk Pretty" are much more engaging, insightful, and entertaining. Had I started on this book, I doubt I would have ever picked up another. And I can honestly say, that would have been a shame.
Rating:
Summary: If I could talk to everyone....
Review: ...I would say to Mr. Sedaris, "Dave, we get it. You're gay." You don't have to be, as one reviewer put it, "a rabid homophobe" not to enjoy a fair portion of this book. The sexual content (especially early on) borders on graphic and offensive and is entirely too pervasive to be ignored. ...I would say to the people who "LOVED" this book (5 stars), I hope you saw yourself in the Malison essay. Because just because you get the joke, doesn't make it funny. And it doesn't make you any smarter, hipper, sexier, etc. To compare this book favorably to "Naked" and "Me Talk Pretty" just to prove that you "get" Sedaris, is sad. This work pales in comparison to those. ...I would say to people who have bought this, but haven't yet read it(especially Sedaris fans), it gets better after the first few stories. I was pretty sure after two stories I would never make it through. But it picked up enough to make me finish it. And, having done so, I'm not terribly disappointed. ...I would say to people who haven't read any Sedaris, not to start on this one. "Naked" and "Me Talk Pretty" are much more engaging, insightful, and entertaining. Had I started on this book, I doubt I would have ever picked up another. And I can honestly say, that would have been a shame.
Rating: 
Summary: One of my favorite books of all time
Review: I laughed so hard I nearly peed in my pants! This is the funniest book ever written by the most dark humored of spirits!
Rating: 
Summary: A little disapointing, but it's still David Sedaris
Review: If I hadn't already read Naked and Me Talk Pretty One Day, I'm sure I would have given Barrel Fever five stars. The main problem with Barrel Fever is that its not very consistent. Naked was insightful, Me Talk Pretty One Day was hilarious--Barrel Fever isn't sure what it wants to be. However, that doesn't keep Barrel Fever from having some great stories and essays. The essays were stronger, and I was dissapointed that there were only four of them. Sedaris does show his trademark insight throughout the whole book--what especially comes to mind is "Season's Greeting to Our Friends and Family!!!" a great parody of those annoying Christmas newsletters. The highlight of the book is easily "The SantaLand Diaries," which recounts Sedaris's time as an Elf at Macy's. If you're already a fan of David Sedaris you must buy this collection. Otherwise, I would recomend Naked or Me Talk Pretty One Day to begin reading one of the best writers working today.
Rating:
Summary: Like watching a train wreck
Review: I have to preface this review by telling you that I bought this book because the first Sedaris book I read (Me Talk Pretty One Day) had me laughing out loud. I couldn't wait to get more Sedaris, and had no doubt that I would love every word he has ever written. WRONG. Whoa, how wrong could I be? It's not that it is not a good book...but, although the stories (short, and crisply written) get and hold your attention, they are completely dark and depressing. Yes, I admit that Santaland Diaries was funny. But I guess I'd have to compare it to how you laugh when you hit your funny bone. You don't really want to laugh, because it really hurts, but you just can't help it...this book isn't for everyone--and I'll go with that assessment. I found this book to be far more tragic and depressing than I expected. Be prepared!
Rating:
Summary: Laugh out loud funny
Review: David Sedaris is one of the funniest writers out there today. He is not for the faint of heart, but his cutting remarks and self depreciating humor are fantastic. This book is for the open minded and understanding. If you're a rabid homophobic, you won't like this book. For the evolved though, it's a great read.
Rating:
Summary: Possibly 3 1/2 stars
Review: This is my least favorite David Sedaris book, but it's still a must for Sedaris-holics such as myself. I think I prefer the all-essay format of "Naked" and "Me Talk Pretty One Day", but I have to admit that some of the fiction (this book is approx. 75% fiction, 25% essays) is very funny, in his very dark humor way,
such as "The Last You'll Hear From Me", and "Glen's Homophobic Newsletter Vol. 2, No. 3". The now-famous "Santaland Dairies" is probably worth the purchase of the book. It's also included in the "Holidays on Ice" collection. If you're a real fan, read it!
Rating:
Summary: An uneven read, but still entertaining
Review: Like many other reviewers, I found the four essays that conclude this book much more engaging than the short stories at the beginning. This is not to say that the short stories are bad, just that they don't match up to the quality of perception in the essays. Sedaris probes into the dark humor of everyday life with a satirical wit and a pathos that is unmatched. Sedaris invites us to laugh at ourselves, and he does so in a way that leaves his audience gasping for breath. "Santaland Diaries" is a phenomenonal piece that alone makes the book worth reading. As with most of Sedaris' work, the essays and short stories are written for the ear (i.e. read it aloud!).
Rating:
Summary: Barrel Fever
Review: I just finished reading the book "Barrel Fever" by David Sedaris. I found humor in many of the stories but beware: this book is no for everyone. Let me give an example: A man has a full time job working a Santa elf and describes how he hates every child and person who comes through the door. One notable passage from the story is "'I'm gonna have you fired.' I've had two people say that to me today. 'I'm gonna have you fired.' Who do these people think they are? Go ahead be my guest. I work as a elf at a department store. I felt like leaning over and saying 'I'm gonna have you killed.'" If you found that funny, then you will love this book. The book is composed of multiple stories and "essays", such as "The Diary of a Smoker" and "Santa Santa Land". The main theme of the book is humor and satire, which I found enjoyable. The characters range from a ditz who is dating Mike Tyson to a 35 year old man who is an elf at a department store, mentioned above. All the characters are humorous in their own twisted way. The main plot of these stories vary, but I can assure you that they almost always have adult themes in them. Some of the stories are not as humorous as others, but they won't make you quit reading. If you enjoy satire, I emphasis that you must read this. If you don't, I suggest you search elsewhere.
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