There are a few contemporary authors whose work I will pick up regardless of the subject because I know from previous readings that I will enjoy the sThere are a few contemporary authors whose work I will pick up regardless of the subject because I know from previous readings that I will enjoy the style of writing. Bryson is one of them (Hampton Sides, Jon Krakauer, Dan Jones and Eric Larson are among the others) and this book doesn’t disappoint. Bryson turns his humorous style onto the human body and gives us a layman’s tour of the human body in which we all reside.
I’ve read several other books that chart a similar path, most noticeably the works of Mary Roach which I find similarly enjoyable. Maybe because I have read somewhat widely on this topic, and studied biology in a past life I was familiar with many of the subjects tackled but by no means all and it was very interesting. I learned a lot and, as always, BB is a pleasure to read - some humor as always but gentle and understated. He is a great author in my view, tackling serious subjects as well as out an out observational humor (1927 is his best work in my view) and this was a quick and enjoyable read and we all need to read those sometimes, don’t we?...more
Deservedly ranked among the classics and one that has given much to the English language and the imagery employed subsequently. We are all familiar wiDeservedly ranked among the classics and one that has given much to the English language and the imagery employed subsequently. We are all familiar with the Queen of Hearts, the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter and we are treated to these characters, and more, as Alice wrestles with navigating and learning her way through the titular Wonderland.
I remember this very well from listening to a recorded narration of the text when I was very young, and much of it came back to me, including the words themselves. Of course, this is a book aimed at children but as with many such novels, there is much to take from this as an adult too. Who hasn't wanted to control their appearance, their height etc. at some time, even though we know it's impossible? Alice also learns a lot during her dream experience in terms of how to interact with others, how to interpret strange occurrences and she retains her inquisitive and pretty bold approach to investigating what is going on throughout. Surely this is a metaphor for the rest of us when we are presented with new situations?
It was a fun read and as I say, I was pleased to find I wasn't too old to still enjoy classic works of this kind!...more
I've long been a fan of DS, and his books of essays (such as this one) are easy reads full of amusing asides and anecdotes, often with a serious side I've long been a fan of DS, and his books of essays (such as this one) are easy reads full of amusing asides and anecdotes, often with a serious side to them, written in the self-deprecating terms of an accomplished humorist. As ever, the topics he covers are wide but there is a theme that runs through the book, especially so with this one I think. This time there is much he writes about the passing of his father and a look back on his life and childhood, which did not appear to be especially happy in terms of his relationship with his father. We get an interesting insight into him as an individual and an author. This seems to be especially true of this collection, but it has been a while since I read some of his others, so I may have forgotten this nuance.
However, there is much to find amusing here, mainly about the delightful absurdity of being human. I think this is at the basis of so much comedy and humor. It is pretty essential, I think, and somewhat hard to do, but finding the humor and the absurd in life makes the journey much more enjoyable. We are not here, as the saying goes, for a long time, so we might as well have a good time. DS, as ever, is aware of his shortcomings and makes fun of them throughout in a way that is delightfully relatable. Who, in all honesty, isn't somewhat fascinated by tales of what doctors have found in a particular part of the male anatomy and marveled at the excuses for how they got there? This is a subject to which he returns more than once, and is very amusing.
There is a place for books like this in everyone's reading I think. They do make you think but at a level that is amusing and superficial, but which leads to more deeper consideration - in this case what it means to lose a parent and the emotions and thoughts that provokes, as well as what it means to be in a long term relationship and many other things. I greatly enjoy his work....more
Without doubt one of, if not the, greatest stand up comedians ever to walk on stage and start talking. I think that the standup genre of comedy must bWithout doubt one of, if not the, greatest stand up comedians ever to walk on stage and start talking. I think that the standup genre of comedy must be one of the hardest ways to make a living and the fact that Billy would basically just get up and start talking without much idea of what he was going to say made every show unique and must have been, as he admits, very scary! However, it worked for him and some of his shows, especially the later ones, were sublime.
There is much of his voice and style in this autobiography as one would expect since he was forced to dictate it rather than write it in the traditional way, due to his ongoing Parkinson's disease. He is stoic about this path his life has taken, but it has robbed us of his live performances and we will for ever be the poorer for that. I am glad that he seems to be contented living in the Florida Keys and this book, whilst rambling and somewhat disjointed (as were his shows of course) tells us a lot about his troubled early life which was certainly very difficult, as well as suggestions as to what it means to be "windswept and interesting", at least to him. It seems a very apt description of him I must say.
I enjoyed the book although some of the anecdotes were familiar to me from his shows, and they somehow don't translate well to the page, even though one can imagine the delivery that Billy would have provided in his prime. You can tell it is written the way it was and it's none the worse for that and I very much enjoyed learning a bit more about him, especially his background in folk music and the Humblebums. I wasn't aware, for example, that his partner for much of that journey was Gerry Rafferty.
Well worth a read if you are a Billy Connolly fan and if you are not, you should be!...more
Although I now live in the US, I was recently traveling to the UK which is my country of birth, and where I developed my deep and abiding love for theAlthough I now live in the US, I was recently traveling to the UK which is my country of birth, and where I developed my deep and abiding love for the game of cricket. It was also during the pulsating Ashes series that took place in England during the early to mid summer of 2023. I don't get much chance to listen to TMS these days, but I have always loved the coverage and the gentle humor that goes along with it. I remember the great days of The Alderman, Blowers, FST, Johnners etc., all of whom are given some coverage here.
It is also, always good to talk and read about cricket, so there are some anecdotes here that I enjoyed, as well as some that were somewhat new to me since I have been away from England so long. However, although I am glad I read the book, I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped for several reasons.
Although there are contributions from more than Agnew and Tufnell, it is their stories that dominate and I wonder why they just didn't call is stories from Aggers and Tuffers? Also, the way it is structured means that the stories are often repeated, not always sequentially, from different viewpoints which is not altogether a bad thing, but the way they are presented means the narrative is disjointed and doesn't hang together well. There are also side articles asking such cricketing opinions as "who was the best tailender you ever saw?" or "Who was the best bowler you faced?" and these, too, are apt to be repetitious and appear at places in the text that don't always make sense.
Also, one is apt to ask: "What's the point?" It's not a horrible idea to present anecdotes of one’s time in the commentary box but apart from touching on a few scandals and the threat they posed to the game we all (authors and readers) love, this is really just a blokey book about folks getting paid to watch cricket and reminisce about their careers. There's nothing wrong with that but after a while it's somewhat vapid entertainment without much meat. Maybe am asking, or expected too much from a book whose title makes it pretty clear what was contained therein....more
I was gifted this by a good friend who knows I have a quirky sense of humor and a keen interest in philosophy so this was a perfect present for me. ItI was gifted this by a good friend who knows I have a quirky sense of humor and a keen interest in philosophy so this was a perfect present for me. It seems something of a cheat to count this on my book quest for the year, since it only takes a short time to read. However, I very much enjoyed its combination of humor, keen observation and pathos which ticks many boxes for the things that I enjoy.
I like how the book is chaptered into specific sections such as "epistemology" which is guaranteed to appear to a philosophy nerd like me. There are nods to social and mental challenges like self-esteem, anxiety and depression too which makes it more than just a quick read of funny cartoons. However, don't get me wrong; this is in no way a serious philosophy nor a depressing book, there are definitely laugh out loud cartoons here. However, more than that, there are many examples to which almost everyone will relate and think: "Yes. That's just like me'
I very much enjoyed it and I can see myself not only returning to it again and again, but also seeking out other examples of Stewart's work if this is anything to go by....more
This is a largely atypical offering from EAP as it is essentially a humorous tale although, of course, there are macabre elements to it as befits thisThis is a largely atypical offering from EAP as it is essentially a humorous tale although, of course, there are macabre elements to it as befits this gothic author. It is a quick read. A short story that makes an amusing aside and can easily be read in half an hour or less.
It is a story told by an unnamed narrator who incredulously reads of a bizarre death in the newspaper and concludes that it is a hoax, and scoffs at the gullible souls who would fall for such falsehoods. Only to find that his room is shared by a remarkably strange "Angel of the Odd" who, in a germanic accent admonishes the reader and shows him over the course of a few events that may be construed as dreams ultimately, that such odd things can and do occur.
Ultimately, as is the way of these things, the narrator is convinced and suitably chastened by his strange encounter, rather as Scrooge was in A Christmas Carol, but this is altogether more surreal as befits a tale from this master of weird and slightly disturbing flights of fancy. A nice change from his terrifying and disturbing visions of horror and shows he can also write amusingly....more
I, like many school kids I am sure, was introduced early to this famous tale of the hen-pecked daydreamer. I think it was a basis for us to compose ouI, like many school kids I am sure, was introduced early to this famous tale of the hen-pecked daydreamer. I think it was a basis for us to compose our own Mitty daydreams as a composition assignment as again, I am sure others were set too.
It is truly a short story one can read in a few minutes but during that time, it is Thurber's skill that makes us smile with recognition if not for the daydreams themselves, but for the mundane life led by the protagonist and the mild nagging he receives from his wife on the day he drives her to a hair appointment. Indeed, it is the contrast between this mundanity and the adventures Mitty conjures in his mind that makes this such a fun story.
The other aspect that I hadn't appreciated when I read this 40 or more years ago, was the utter nonsense that Thurber, through Mitty, puts up as pseudo-technical terms and words. This is especially true of the medical daydream where Dr. Mitty, after saving the priceless anesthesia machine with a part from a pen, talks extravagantly about made up, but impressive sounding medical conditions. This, I am sure, struck a chord with the teachers of my adolescent English class who were prone to writing the most outrageous cliches in their compositions. I know I was.
Certainly worth a quick aside to read in a few minutes and appreciate the skill of the author and the fact that this story of just a few pages has spawned endless imitations and two full length movies....more
I used to enjoy watching Clive James when his "On TV" was very popular and I liked his cynical, deadpan humor especially related to some of the more eI used to enjoy watching Clive James when his "On TV" was very popular and I liked his cynical, deadpan humor especially related to some of the more extreme Japanese game shows such as "Ultraquiz" and "Endurance".
Obviously, I knew he was Australian, but didn't know his biography and this book essentially charts his early life from his childhood during WWII until his departure for the UK in the early 60s. It is funny, and his sardonic eye is applied to himself and is, in the nature of many of these accounts, very self-deprecating. I can see how some readers might find this somewhat tiresome. It is the story of his life and adventures to which many can probably relate, but which is pretty unfamiliar to me with my sheltered childhood. One wonders if there is exaggeration here, but there are laugh out loud moments for sure.
Much of the text, after the first few chapters is concerned, at least peripherally, with sex and CJ's sexual awakenings. I am all for bawdy stories but it does become somewhat repetitive, as true as it may be.
Still, it's a relatively short book and easy to read and a light read at that. I might well read some of his later memoirs as I do enjoy his work. There are several typos in this book which is unusual and not something one sees very often. Such things aren't a big deal but do make me wonder if there are other editing issues, although I couldn't detect any obvious ones....more
This was one of my guilty pleasure books that I read to break up the classic literature, social justice and history books that I typically read. It isThis was one of my guilty pleasure books that I read to break up the classic literature, social justice and history books that I typically read. It is extremely easy to read and well written. AK has a very funny turn of phrase and this book is written in the form of short diary entries covering his journey from newly qualified physician to Senior Registrar, to leaving the profession entirely. The humor in this book made me laugh out loud several times and appeals to my cynical, sarcastic and close to the edge British humor. I have interacted with the NHS many times, and despite the fact that I have lived in the US for 17 years, find it a vastly preferable solution to that operating here under the guise of healthcare. Having said that, it s clearly creaking and the systems are wanting in how they treat staff, which is the undercurrent and sometime stated goal of this book ie to illuminate that.
The style works. Whether this are genuine diary entries, or this is a style that was chosen to make the book flow and provide a series of anecdotes that are mostly very funny, but occasionally extremely poignant, doesn't really matter. As always with this approach, it makes the prose very readable, although one sometimes wishes the especially funny ones went on longer! It gives a very good idea of some of the trials and tribulations of being an OB-GYN specifically, and a physician generally.
The end of the book, after a serious incident during a delivery, is pretty hard hitting and AK signposts it by writing that, post that incident, that there will be nothing else funny in the book. This gives us around 10 pages of reflections on why he left the profession and the egregious malfeasance that politicians lavish on the NHS. Of course, as a progressive, I agree with this, especially the horror that is the current Conservative party. If they could privatize the NHS, I am pretty sure they would do so. It is very revealing to get this look behind the mask so to speak, of what it means to be a physician on the front line and the toll it takes on personal lives and relationships.
I thoroughly enjoyed it. I rarely give books 5 stars on Goodreads because I generally find things to dislike in structure, argument, or writing style of a book. For sure, this is not a book that will likely be seen as a classic, but in terms of the enjoyment and amusement this book was a joy to read. The fact that it also made me think about the health service in my country of birth was a bonus, as I don't often give it much thought these days. I can see that some readers may find AK cynical, sarcastic and maybe even uncaring about the patients he treated and the indignities they suffered, but I am a Brit. This type of irreverence greatly appeals to me and as I say, very much enjoyed this read....more
This is the first of Bennett's works I have read and very enjoyable, light and amusing it was. Not really laugh out loud funny for me, although there This is the first of Bennett's works I have read and very enjoyable, light and amusing it was. Not really laugh out loud funny for me, although there were moments, but charming and funny in a way that us Brits approve of and appreciate. It is easy to read and a simple premise which follows the Queen of England's late life discovery of the joys of reading. Anyone who is similarly enamored with the pastime, will recognize and enjoy what follows in the narrative.
As the Queen broadens and enjoys her reading more and more, she is accused of neglecting some of the day to day duties, her dedication for which is legendary of course. Many of her less well-read peers, subjects and servants find her passion disconcerting and even threatening, and her courtiers make strides to reducer interest her hobby by various nefarious means, many of whom receive due comeuppance for their effrontery.
Readers will recognize the inherent nature of reading, in that it is necessarily solitary, but leads to revelations about life and a desire to discuss those with others who have read the same, or different works to get their perspective. Of course it is arrogant and elitist to an extent, but it is nonetheless frustrating to be met with blank stares and confusion by those who haven't consumed the same (or indeed any) of the books one personally enjoyed or found interesting.
In addition, the joys of reading are exposed, as well as poking fun at the authors themselves. One particularly memorable line was the Queen's discovery that authors were typically ungrateful to the readers for reading their work, rather feeling we should be thankful they chose to write it for our edification. I paraphrase, but I love that mentality and I wonder if it holds true for authors. The text is also a gentle satire on deference, the elitism of the monarchy and their struggle to relate to human existence beneath them (which everyone is socially in the UK at least). This is illustrated by the Queen's initial lack of appreciation for the work of Jane Austen, replete as it is with social and class observations of which the monarch doesn't have to concern herself - everyone is simply lower than her.
Very enjoyable read with a delicious ending I didn't see coming and can easily be read in a single sitting or over the course of a few hours at most. Novellas are a wonderful literary genre, and this is a great example. I suspect very much more appreciated by those of us growing up in England, but a worthwhile read for anyone in my opinion....more
Trust Wilde to come up with an amusing and absurd narrative around a murder. Or at least a series of attempted murders! This is a short story that easTrust Wilde to come up with an amusing and absurd narrative around a murder. Or at least a series of attempted murders! This is a short story that easily be read in one sitting and concerns the tribulations of the titular Lord when he has his palm read at a soiree, revealing that he will commit a murder.
As we often read with Wilde's characters, instead of reacting as a rational person might, Lord Arthur becomes obsessed with the idea that this is somehow his fate and he must follow through on the prediction, imperiling his upcoming nuptials in the process. He then embarks of a series of inept attempts to commit murder in a vary matter of fact way, as though he were simply planning something much more mundane.
As ever, we are treated to witty asides and social commentaries that keep us amused through the whole absurd telling of the story. The ending is perhaps a little contrived but it is, as ever a joy to follow along as Wilde takes us on one of his literary jaunts into human nature, however exaggerated the characters and the situations. This is indeed the whole point. When one has read the works of Wilde, one becomes habituated to his style and the nature of his wit which doesn't detract from it but rather leaves us waiting the next barbed comment or expression of the unsayable in normal, polite society. Again, this is really the whole point of OW and his irreverent attitude to society and its mores....more
Wilde is, as ever, a joy to read. I think that reading his witticisms, many of which are delightfully pithy in their observances on the human conditioWilde is, as ever, a joy to read. I think that reading his witticisms, many of which are delightfully pithy in their observances on the human condition, should be undertaken somewhat sparingly. They come thick and fast and they are better when the reader comes to them after a break. I always wonder whether reading plays is a good idea, but with Wilde I think it is arguably even better than seeing the play staged. As I say, the shear volume of witty remarks and observations can be lost when uttered on stage.
An Ideal Husband tackles themes of hypocrisy, the difference between the sexes and how they are treated, marriage and power. The main idea being whether Sir Robert deserves to be ruined for a past transgression, however heinous that may have been, and whether his subsequently blameless life should atone for that. Wilde examines the fact that we all have something to atone for and none of us live a perfect life. He actually has his characters express horror at the thought of anyone being perfect.
There is also a good deal of light being shone on the upper classes and their two faced, hypocritical approach to life, which is played for great comedic effect. As ever, there are many quotable lines from the play and one finds oneself coming across lines that are very familiar, and may even have been quoted by the reader without realizing where they originally came from. This is a delight. I always think to pick up something by Wilde when I am need of a pick me up, or something that is truly entertaining to read.
"Only Dull people are brilliant at breakfast"
"I have forgotten all about my school days. I have a vague impression that they were detestable"
“Indeed, as a rule, everybody turns out to be somebody else.”
“My doctor says I must not have any serious conversation after seven [o'clock]. It makes me talk in my sleep.”
“I love talking about nothing, father. It is the only thing I know anything about.”...more
I'm a fan of Sedaris' writing; witty, amusing and relatable it certainly is. I very much enjoy reading his essays, although collections like this are I'm a fan of Sedaris' writing; witty, amusing and relatable it certainly is. I very much enjoy reading his essays, although collections like this are a two edged sword for me. I love the fact that one can skip those examples of less interest (and there were a couple of clearly satirical ones here parodying points of view I know he doesn't hold) but on the other hand, the reader often wants the more pithy stories to be expanded somewhat. Overall though, DS's writing fills an important niche for me.
I need books like this that are easy to read, amusing, and can be consumed in a couple of days or even a couple of sessions. My reading typically consists of subjects that require considerable effort and challenge such as non-fiction related to social issues or complex histories and I am also trying to broaden my reading into classic literature which I sometimes find to be quite a challenge! So it is great, every now and then to read something like these essay collections.
I am not sure this is his best. I found a couple of the epistolatory essays less than convincing and whilst I get the change in style, I find them somewhat incongruent. Still, there are many anecdotes and stories here that include laugh out loud funny moments, as well as some that are more poignant. As is often the case with humor that is well done, it is very self-deprecating from the author. This is not humor aimed at targets other than himself for the most part, although as a lefty myself I certainly appreciate his political stance which he reveals fairly regularly.
An easy read, as are all his works and I very much enjoy picking up these collections every few months....more
I was given this book as a Christmas present and it is certainly up my street. However, I have decided that this is not a book that I want to read covI was given this book as a Christmas present and it is certainly up my street. However, I have decided that this is not a book that I want to read cover to cover and, indeed, it doesn't really seem designed for that. Some of the stories in here are long, others merely a page or two and, to be honest, some of them don't strike me as particularly amusing.
However it is an eclectic mix of styles and eras - some of the authors are venerable and many have passed but there are also quite a few contemporary writers too and these are not all short stories. Some are articles, some scripts. As I say, some didn't strike me as particularly funny whilst others are more to my taste when it comes to humor. Obviously, as every, humor is very much in the eye of the beholder so to speak.
I read most of what I wanted to consume immediately, and I will definitely return to the book and dip into it again....more
Bryson is one of my favorite authors, and whilst this has quite a few passages that had me laughing out loud, this is not one of his best in my opinioBryson is one of my favorite authors, and whilst this has quite a few passages that had me laughing out loud, this is not one of his best in my opinion. It is very arrogant of me to say this, but I think his later writings are much more sophisticated and the writing better. The hallmarks of his style are all here: the self-deprecating humor, the exquisite turn of phrase, the ability to be both critical and objective.
However it doesn't seem to have the depth of his later works. The tenet of the trip is interesting as he basically retraces the steps he took backpacking with a friend in the early 70s. These are actually some of the funniest sections, as he recounts the somewhat fraught relationship he developed with his travel companion at the time. Many of us who have travelled with friends will surely relate.
There is a lot of travel between cities in the narrative. Typically these follow a similar pattern or arrival at a relatively cheap hotel, a walk to explore, food, more walking, sightseeing then moving on. It isn't uninteresting, but reading this in 2019, it begins to show its age. This was written soon after the fall of communism and some of the cities will certainly have changed a lot now. It is interesting to read what it was like then, especially with regards to Sofia.
So, I very much enjoyed it and am glad to have read it but it lacks the nuance and sophistication of some of his later works that concentrate more on specific countries and eras. I prefer the latter, but any prose penned by Bill Bryson is well worth reading....more
This is a mini-book for which a rating seems somewhat churlish as, it is a book benefitting the CARE charity, a worthy cause if ever there was one.
I This is a mini-book for which a rating seems somewhat churlish as, it is a book benefitting the CARE charity, a worthy cause if ever there was one.
I very much enjoyed this short read. Bryson writes, as ever, with a light and amusing touch even though the subject matter this time is more serious than those he typically tackles. He paints a picture of the conditions he found on this short trip, and praises the organization who took him there, which is praiseworthy indeed.
The usual Bryson skills are much in evidence - his story of travel via rail and light aircraft perhaps the most evocative and amusing but the serious issues are covered with the aplomb one would expect from such an expert writer. The reason for the rating of 3 is really that this is not so much a typical work as a commissioned (although undertaken for the love of it I'm sure) book to promote CARE and its efforts and there is nothing wrong with that. I just find it hard to rate as it is essentially a diary of his 8 day trip and lacks his usual development of narrative.
I very much enjoyed it and found myself laughing out loud as I usually do when reading him, although perhaps less than is customary given the subject matter and the short length of the book. I intend to read (and reread) all his works, such is the joy of his writing, and I am very glad I read this one...more
Not my favorite Sedaris essay compilation but still very entertaining. I have read a number of his books in relatively short order and I think it may Not my favorite Sedaris essay compilation but still very entertaining. I have read a number of his books in relatively short order and I think it may be time to give them a rest for a few months. I will definitely return to his writing, as I love it, but this wasn't the best of his offerings.
Why? would be a perfectly reasonable question. There is nothing wrong here and the amusing anecdotes are frequently delivered with his usual panache and linguistic elan. There are also the more poignant, personally difficult episodes here and these are also very readable. Somehow to me though, this collection lacked some of the unexpectedly hilarious essays that came out of nowhere. The extremely personal, yet somehow eminently relatable tales that constitute some of his other books - notably Me Talk Pretty One Day.
I am quite prepared to accept that I have become used to the style and the approach and have become somewhat jaded with these collections. If this were the first book of Sedaris essays I had read I would likely have a different view. There is a great deal to like here, and DS is a terrific writer and it is possible to make one's way though a collection like this is in a couple of sittings, so easy and amusing is the read. ...more
I love Sedaris' writing but I have perhaps been guilty of reading them out of their published order. This is the most recent of his works and I very mI love Sedaris' writing but I have perhaps been guilty of reading them out of their published order. This is the most recent of his works and I very much enjoyed it as it covers the period of his life that is very similar to the one I am entering! His family is aging as is Sedaris himself, and so this collection of essays deals with that aging process and, as a result, has a somewhat more sombre tone overall than his earlier works.
This isn't a bad thing at all. DS is a great writer and is perfectly capable of covering these areas and he does it well. Of course, there is the usual self-deprecating humor to which we can all relate, and his tale of the gastro virus he picked up on a book tour is painfully funny to read, as we have all been there. Not funny at the time for sure, but always amusing to look back upon. As I have written before on his work, it is tremendously well observed and mostly turned back on himself which is the hallmark of a great standup as well as a great humorist with the written word.
Since I discovered Sedaris' writing I have essentially binge read his works and I am wondering if this is the best way to consume these collections of essays. Of course, they flow from one to the other in a collection, so it is easy to move into a new collection and continue on. However when one has read them so close together, one is conscious of some repetition. This is natural as each chapter/essay is a standalone narrative, and one that was probably originally published as such, therefore the author cannot assume the reader to be familiar with anything he has written previously. This only becomes obvious in a collection, or series of collections.
However, I read Sedaris to lighten my feelings of blackness when confronted with the World we live in and to act as a contrast to the weighty tomes I read as I trundle through classic literature and treatises on the current state of politics and social issues and it serves this purpose admirably. I very much enjoy all his works, and this is no exception, but I might try and space them out a bit more in the future....more
I am somewhat fickle in my reading habits and when I discover an author that I like, I tend to devour much of said author's output in relatively shortI am somewhat fickle in my reading habits and when I discover an author that I like, I tend to devour much of said author's output in relatively short order. In the case of my favorite classic authors (such as Dickens and Eliot) this is not a short endeavor, but with Sedaris' essay collections, they are entertaining, funny, light and can be consumed within a couple of sittings.
They are also a marvelous compliment to the more serious works I read. As much as I love to expand my horizons and take in works of great social import, it is nice to read books such as this for the sheer enjoyment they provide. Sedaris is a gifted humorist and writer. Often his anecdotes, which are self deprecating in the classic stand up comedian mode, are laugh out loud funny, and reflect much of the social angst that many of us feel as we make our way through life. Alternatively, they allow us to feel that our own foibles are not unique and that we all wrestle with these things. However, in the tradition of good humorists, he is often able to inject pathos and seriousness into his writing. His serious essays, or sections thereof, are very thought provoking and often poignant.
As ever, collections of essays have pros and cons for the reader. Often I wish he would delve into an amusing issue more, since I was so enjoying the narrative unfold, and overall there is a slight lack of structure and of course, one is denied the complex plot or story development of a single subject work of fiction or non fiction. However, that is not really the point of works such as this. They are easy to read, and if you do find an essay that isn't to your liking, the next one is a page turn away.
I read these books in a few hours and tremendously enjoy doing so. This type of humor is right up my street, clearly....more
Loading...
