Product Description "David Sedaris's ability to transform the mortification of everyday life into wildly entertaining art," (The Christian Science Monitor) is elevated to wilder and more entertaining heights than ever in this remarkable new book. Trying to make coffee when the water is shut off, David considers using the water in a vase of flowers and his chain of associations takes him from the French countryside to a hilariously uncomfortable memory of buying drugs in a mobile home in rural North Carolina. In essay after essay, Sedaris proceeds from bizarre conundrums of daily life-having a lozenge fall from your mouth into the lap of a fellow passenger on a plane or armoring the windows with LP covers to protect the house from neurotic songbirds-to the most deeply resonant human truths. Culminating in a brilliant account of his venture to Tokyo in order to quit smoking, David Sedaris's sixth essay collection is a new masterpiece of comic writing from "a writer worth treasuring" (Seattle Times).
Praise for When You Are Engulfed in Flames:
"Older, wiser, smarter and meaner, Sedaris...defies the odds once again by delivering an intelligent take on the banalities of an absurd life." --Kirkus Reviews
This latest collection proves that not only does Sedaris still have it, but he's also getting better....Sedaris's best stuff will still--after all this time--move, surprise, and entertain." --Booklist
Table of Contents:
It's Catching Keeping Up The Understudy This Old House Buddy, Can You Spare a Tie? Road Trips What I Learned That's Amore The Monster Mash In the Waiting Room Solutions to Saturday's Puzzle Adult Figures Charging Toward a Concrete Toadstool Memento Mori All the Beauty You Will Ever Need Town and Country Aerial The Man in the Hut Of Mice and Men April in Paris Crybaby Old Faithful The Smoking Section
Light EntertainmentAugust 21, 2008 This book I found entertaining. After reading a long clunker like The Story of Edgar Sawtelle...this was a breath of fresh air. I liked it.
My kind of humorAugust 20, 2008 I just discovered David Sedaris on NPR. I was intrigued by his show, so I researched him and found that he has written several books. I picked up the most recent, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, and read it within two days. His dry wit and sarcasm made me laugh out loud. While most of the essays are very funny, there are a few that aren't as entertaining. All in all, it's a great read for anyone who can see humor in the most disturbing scenarios.
better, actuallyAugust 20, 2008 I liked Barrel Fever when it came out; I was lukewarm about Sedaris' subsequent books, but this one is really very funny and much more subtle. I might even say I like it the best.
LOLAugust 19, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was calling friends to read them excerpts from this book, only I was laughing so hard usually they couldn't understand me! I immediately bought tickets to Sedaris's next reading!
when you are engulfed in flamesAugust 19, 2008 0 out of 4 found this review helpful
I used to like David Sedaris. "Me talk Pretty on Day" was lovely. "Naked" and "Dress Your Children..." were funny. But "When you are Engulfed in Flames" was disgusting. I started the book, got completely grossed out and then looked at others reviews. I won't be finishing it. I'm done with his disgusting imagery - worms hanging out of people's legs. I don't need thoughts like hanging around in my head. If I tought it would get better I'd give it another try but so many reviews here say it's a waste of time. I also let mey son read it before I started it. He read a few chapters and gave it back saying he didn't care for it, but didn't say why. Now I know - ick!
