Sunday Salon with Sedaris
On a recent trip to Costco I came across When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris. My daughter Martha raved about his "Me Talk Pretty One Day" and so I bought "Engulfed" after just a quick glance at the inside of the dust jacket.
I didn't know anything at all about David Sedaris, so when he revealed his homosexuality within the first few pages, I thought "Oh, oh" and prepared to set the book aside. Understand, I don't have a problem with gays. I believe gays have every bit as much right to be as I do. I was simply worried about the content of the book. I've never felt the need to discuss my own sexual proclivities, and I certainly don't want to hear about anyone else's. I crept forward, a little fearfully, ready to bolt if the bedroom door suddenly swung open. I'm glad I persisted.
This book is funny! and David Sedaris is a nice man. His essential sweetness comes through in his writing. The book just got better and better as I developed a genuine affection for David and Hugh.
There are some wonderful, outrageous stories. "That's Amore" introduces us to a New York neighbour, Helen, who is a profane, vicious old bag and yet, somehow, Sedaris portrays her with understanding and affection.
One thing I didn't love was his bug story. I hope this falls into the category of "exaggeration in the interest of humour". I guess most people wouldn't be bothered, but I'm a bit of a Jainist. There were some coarse-ish parts too. O.K., I've led a very sheltered life. The average person wouldn't be troubled by the odd rude reference and it probably takes a major pill to complain. I confess -- I'm a major pill, a thin-lipped, prissy old sack. But I'm recommending this very funny book anyway. It was written by a person I really like.
Labels: David Sedaris, Me Talk Pretty One Day, When You Are Engulfed in Flames
posted by Susan @ 12:02 AM
6 Comments:
Great writing, Susan - and I'm with you on all this. You've put it very well, I think.
This bug story, though - I really want to know more, now...
Thanks for writing about Engulfed. I've done several fly-bys at the bookstore of it, and who wouldn't with the cover art, but I haven't picked it up. I have he "Me Talk Pretty Now" on my wishlist, but didn't know it was the same author for both. Makes it move up the WL more. :-D
I love Sedaris, thanks for reminding me about his new book. I almost forgot.
Like you, while not a homophobe (hey, one of my wife's best friends is a lesbian :)), I didn't want to hear necessarily about his sex life. Thankfully, I kept reading his work anyway and was pleasantly surprised.
Thanks, Clare! And thank you for stopping by, koolaidmom and readingfool!
This comment has been removed by the author.
I'm curious why you'd think, because he's gay, he'd write all about his sex life? I'm a lesbian. I don't write about my sex life at all. It's private.
Being gay is about having a life. It's not just about having sex.
I love Sedaris, he's such a hoot. I'm looking forward to his new book on audio - he reads his work so well and it adds a new dimension to it.
Post a Comment
<< Home