Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
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Summary
David Sedaris plays in the snow with his sisters. He goes on vacation with his family. He gets a job selling drinks. He attends his brother's wedding. He mops his sister's floor. He gives directions to a lost traveler. He eats a hamburger. He has his blood sugar tested. It all sounds so normal, doesn't it? In his newest collection of essays, David Sedaris lifts the corner of ordinary life, revealing the absurdity teeming below its surface. His world is alive with obscure desires and hidden motives -- a world where forgiveness is automatic and an argument can be the highest form of love. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim is another unforgettable collection from one of the wittiest and most original writers at work today.
I absolutely adored the cozy, mysterious, and comical vibes that these stories exuded. Mr. Sedaris showcases his exceptional talent as both a comedian and a writer. I'm eagerly anticipating more from him in the future!
I used to be curious about what all the fuss was about. But now I understand, it's not much. David Sedaris has had a typical suburban upbringing - he felt distant from his parents and family, struggled academically in college, dabbled in drug use and even sold drugs for a while, then turned his life around and pursued bigger things. He has relatives with unique quirks, and he's open about being gay.
If you're considering getting this book or any of Sedaris' others, I recommend first listening to David Rakoff's Fraud. In my opinion, Rakoff outshines Sedaris in this regard - Rakoff brings an interesting perspective as a journalist. Sedaris, on the other hand, focuses heavily on his family, so if you're not interested in hearing about them or find him to be whiny, this may not be for you. Personally, I wasn't completely bored, so I think 3 stars is fair. However, it still amounted to 5 hours of my life that I'll never get back.
I absolutely adore Sedaris. No other writer can make me burst into laughter like he does. Each time I dive into a new Sedaris book, I'm genuinely afraid that he may have exhausted his supply of hilarious anecdotes, and I'll be left desperately searching for another source to satisfy my craving for laughter. Luckily, I didn't have to worry about that with this one.
Some people have criticized him for sounding "down," but personally, I believe his deadpan delivery is part of his appeal. I wouldn't have it any other way (I once witnessed Santa Land Diaries performed by an overly enthusiastic actor, and it was incredibly irritating and unfunny).
I found Me Talk Pretty One Day to be absolutely hilarious - it had me laughing so hard that I bought it in book, tape, and MP3 format. However, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim just doesn't quite measure up in terms of humor. In fact, it only has a handful of truly funny sections. As someone who is a huge fan of Sedaris, I advise you not to bother investing your time and money in this particular audiobook.
This audiobook by Sedaris was my first experience with his work, and it had me laughing so much that I was a complete danger on the road. If this wasn't the absolute top-notch, I'm eagerly looking forward to diving into his other works.
David Sedaris never fails to bring pure joy with his works. In his latest book, he skillfully showcases a perfect blend of emotional growth and his self-aware neurotic nature, resulting in a collection of marvelous stories. Some of them had me laughing uncontrollably to the point where I questioned if I should stop the car; while others touched me in a genuine, non-sappy manner. Trust me, experiencing David Sedaris himself narrating his own pieces is even better than reading them, making this audiobook an absolute essential.
The author's sense of humor in "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim" can be compared to discussing the disturbing issue of sexual exploitation within the Catholic church. Personally, I found it unsettling and disturbing rather than humorous. The content of this book should be categorized as adult material, as it caused me distress and anger while listening to it as a family on a long trip.
I found 'Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim' to be an incredibly amusing compilation of stories. I had an absolute blast listening to this audiobook. It marked my introduction to David Sedaris' work, and I am without a doubt eager to delve into more of his literary works.
The audio quality of this audiobook isn't terrible, but it's not magnificent either. The chapters are separated by low-budget music, which I personally found both irritating and comical. Sedaris narrates most of the book with a sense of wanting to finish it quickly, lacking the same enthusiasm as his live performances or appearances on "This American Life." Nevertheless, he still manages to be humorous, although this particular book falls short in comparison to "Me Talk Pretty One Day" when it comes to delivering laughs.
I must admit, I'm puzzled by those who describe this book as "hilarious" or "laugh out loud funny". While it is well-written and brutally honest in its portrayal of the author's childhood, it is far from being humorous. How can stories of an emotionally abusive and indifferent father, an alcoholic and distant mother, struggles with sexual identity, drug use, panhandling, and child neglect be considered uproarious comedy?
The only positive aspect I can find in this book, from a comedic perspective, is that it serves as a reminder that if this is what passes for humor in today's world, then I must be leading an exceptionally fortunate life. I am grateful that my life is filled with joy and genuine laughter, which bears no resemblance to the author's experiences. I feel a deep sense of pity for anyone who can find amusement in such dark and depressing material.
Lastly, let me clarify that I am not discouraging anyone from reading this book for what it is: a raw and autobiographical account of a severely dysfunctional family. However, if you're seeking laughter, unless you're deeply damaged, I recommend looking elsewhere.
I'm not sure what to say beyond this is classic Sedaris. Dry wit, off the wall humor and strange stories that you find yourself laughing at, then wonder if it was ok to laugh at it.
Cross Steven Wright, Bob Newhart and Denis Leary and you have something approximating David Sedaris.
I found myself laughing hysterically in traffic at certain points. People were wondering what was wrong with me! Loved it and will be ordering for Sedaris books.
After thoroughly enjoying reading "Me Talk Pretty One Day," I was eager to get this audiobook and listen to the author for the first time. So I was initially surprised at how deadpan David Sedaris sounded. He seemed to read without feeling or attachment. Then, as I got used to it, I realized that it probably sounded just the way he had meant to write it. Things that seemed unbelievable, shocking, hilarious, and tragic to me were just facts of life for him. There was no need to insert my voice, or how I would have read it, into the narrative the same way I would have had I read the book. After that, I appreciated his dryness as a part of the experience and actually enjoyed having to listen a bit more carefully for the humor.
Gotta love him. As always, his first cut is his best. As Pema Chodrin says, you have to 'stay soft' when listening to him, but his books 'listen' far better than 'read'. I enjoyed the book and enjoy his mind.
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