whispfeath
Abrams, WI

What can you say about a 30 something man dressed as an elf?

5 star rating

a library-goer, fiction reader, non-fiction reader, character-lover, a fan of clever plots, a writer
Pros

    witty, funny


NOV
18
2007

David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice — 

I first heard David Sedaris over 10 years ago when he was reading his Santaland Diaries on NPR. From the very start, I was a fan. Imagine a 30-something man, new to NYC, making a living dressed as an elf. Then imagine this elf being a wise-ass (after all, Amy Sedaris is his sister) that, when he gets bored, will say something like "go look through the magic window and see Cher", but naturally the "magic window" was just a window that gave a view of Santa at the end of the line. The Santaland Diaries, like most of Sedaris' work, is a biographic mix of wry humor with realistic truths mixed in. For me, one moment I'll be laughing out loud, then the next I'll be going "what a jerk" because he's describing some selfish bastard that doesn't care how he makes people feel--whether it be his child or spouse. Basically, while his stories are funny, they are not this unrealistic "everything is ok" or "happily ever after" stuff. He tells it like it is. Life is life, whether it be good or bad, and it's not portrayed through rose colored spectacles. It is what it is and you deal with it, enjoying the moments you can.

There are other stories in this little book--including Dinah the Christmas Whore, all of which I have enjoyed, but naturally Santaland Diaries is my favorite (which he did adapt into a one-man play a few years ago).

Sedaris just has a way of portraying is every-day events in an interesting way like a master storyteller. He may have not had exciting adventures in life, but what he has done he retells in a way that you can identify with and enjoy. Unless, of course, you would prefer the "happily ever after" stories.

Last edited on Nov 18, 2007



I_thumb_up David Sedaris - Holidays on Ice is recommended by whispfeath

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I_comment_shdw24 Comments about whispfeath’s Review

 


whispfeath wrote on Nov 23, 2007 at 8:35PM

In response to Meredith's comment from Nov 21, 2007 at 2:45AM:

I haven't read any Augusten Buroughs--sounds like another author I should be checking out!

Meredith wrote on Nov 21, 2007 at 2:45AM

I am a big David Sedaris fan. Do you read any Augusten Burroughs books as well? They are somewhat similar authors - dark, witty and hilarious! :) Thanks whispfeath.

BayouBengal wrote on Nov 18, 2007 at 8:40AM

Sounds like an interesting read!