As per usual, I enjoyed the hell out of this book. Sedaris has an impeccable eye for the absurd, and never flinches from taking shots at himself.

Overall, I think the standout story was being on the flight with the woman that wanted him to trade seats, however, I found the entire book strong. I was surprised at the length of the final piece, a chronicle of Sedaris' quest to quit smoking, however, it was just as good as the shorter pieces, proving that he can carry a longer narrative. I'... (show more)

As per usual, I enjoyed the hell out of this book. Sedaris has an impeccable eye for the absurd, and never flinches from taking shots at himself.

Overall, I think the standout story was being on the flight with the woman that wanted him to trade seats, however, I found the entire book strong. I was surprised at the length of the final piece, a chronicle of Sedaris' quest to quit smoking, however, it was just as good as the shorter pieces, proving that he can carry a longer narrative. I'd love to see him tackle a single, book-length work.

The other interesting piece for me, was that we are treated to an older, slightly less confident narrator. He seems to be trying to come to grips with his own mortality, now that he's in his fifth decade. I found I enjoyed this equally funny and neurotic, though sadder and more contemplative voice.

As is the norm with Sedaris, highly recommended. (show less)

I'm very disappointed in this book. I've read the first few stories, and it's like somebody decided to remove all of the punchlines... I've read everything else he's written - and even got him to sign this one! - but it pales in comparison to his other works. I am THIS close to abandoning this book, because all of the stories are BORING, monotonous and almost seem written by an alternate, forgettable writer.

Celebrating the mundane only works if the observations are witty, perceptive, poig... (show more)

I'm very disappointed in this book. I've read the first few stories, and it's like somebody decided to remove all of the punchlines... I've read everything else he's written - and even got him to sign this one! - but it pales in comparison to his other works. I am THIS close to abandoning this book, because all of the stories are BORING, monotonous and almost seem written by an alternate, forgettable writer.

Celebrating the mundane only works if the observations are witty, perceptive, poignant, hilarious or any sort of adjective that improves these tepid observations.

If it gets better, I'll change this review. But more likely, I'm just going to read something else instead...

Bobman (show less)

This is the first David Sedaris novel I have ever read and I felt like I could hear him reading the novel to me... as I chuckled or smirked or paused in thought... or laughed out loud! I feel like wit is the name of the game with this author as his essays seem to effortlessly drip from the end of his pen, and flow full circle in a profound way. I did not think i could relate to a book in a comical way... I have tried; This author nailed it. I could not sleep beside this book without turning t... (show more)

This is the first David Sedaris novel I have ever read and I felt like I could hear him reading the novel to me... as I chuckled or smirked or paused in thought... or laughed out loud! I feel like wit is the name of the game with this author as his essays seem to effortlessly drip from the end of his pen, and flow full circle in a profound way. I did not think i could relate to a book in a comical way... I have tried; This author nailed it. I could not sleep beside this book without turning the light on and reading it! I loved several chapters however one of my faves involves pure honesty. He and Hugh are out to dinner and he comes up with several topics before hand just so they have something to talk about.It's really very funny (hey i am not the writer). Oh and then there's the manly pee bag; because apparently men do not have enough accessory options... you just have to read it... (show less)

What more can I say about David Sedaris except that he is an absolute joy to read. Laugh out loud funniness seeps from almost every story - and it is even READ out loud funny, to the point where I have to share certain moments with others, forcing them to stop what they are doing (or drop whatever drivel they are reading) and listen to me read the prose that is David Sedaris. I've fallen hard for Mr. Sedaris's fancy literature - he had me at the first book a good friend gave to me; the quickl... (show more)

What more can I say about David Sedaris except that he is an absolute joy to read. Laugh out loud funniness seeps from almost every story - and it is even READ out loud funny, to the point where I have to share certain moments with others, forcing them to stop what they are doing (or drop whatever drivel they are reading) and listen to me read the prose that is David Sedaris. I've fallen hard for Mr. Sedaris's fancy literature - he had me at the first book a good friend gave to me; the quickly consumable "Me Talk Pretty One Day", which made me laugh more frequently than almost any other book I've ever read. Don't get me wrong, he is no comedian. There is a dark undertone, a sense of the shadowed foreboding within true life in all of his stories, without question. But he doesn't self-indulge. He tells them with just enough tongue-in-cheek to make you see that regardless of how dark the scenerio, there is often humor there too. It is realism, without self-pity.

He also has this way of making me feel like (oddly) I have siblings, even when I do not. Call me quirky, but I can't help but imagine that if I had siblings, they wouldn't be entirely dissimilar from his. Or maybe that is simply a testament to his relatability. Granted, I think part of the great beauty of Sedaris's work is that it is wholly relatable. Regardless of how different your life experiences are from those he tells in his tales - you see a glimmer of yourself or someone you know, knew or wish you knew - in almost every nuance (or at least I do). Don't ever stop, you brilliant, brilliant man. (show less)

A couple of stories in David Sedaris's new book hark back to earlier works in their tone. But the majority of stories in "When you are engulfed in flames" show an older, sadder Sedaris.

I might have been clued into the main theme of mortality if I had read the title: "When You Are Engulfed in Flames". But on that same book cover, I saw the name David Sedaris. A name that, to me, means "Holidays on Ice" and "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim", ga... (show more)

A couple of stories in David Sedaris's new book hark back to earlier works in their tone. But the majority of stories in "When you are engulfed in flames" show an older, sadder Sedaris.

I might have been clued into the main theme of mortality if I had read the title: "When You Are Engulfed in Flames". But on that same book cover, I saw the name David Sedaris. A name that, to me, means "Holidays on Ice" and "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim", gaiety and humor. Death of friends, deaths of others, buying a skeleton for Hugh for Christmas, the theme isn't hiding amidst other grand and cheery plots.

This time around Hugh has lines and plot points. It's fitting, considering the book focuses on the life-long journey to death, that Sedaris would have much more to highlight about Hugh, given their commitment to one another. Yet, the theme of mortality is so omnipresent, that much merriment or happiness in their relationship doesn't come through, or at least the joy becomes overshadowed by the theme and the acts of seemingly emotionless, dutiful devotion.

I finished more than two-thirds of Sedaris's book last night, after starting the first third while on vacation last June. I finished it more out of pride in finishing what I start rather than any external compelling force. When I put the book down, I went to bed thinking only one thing: We Are Careening Toward Boring Adulthood, Sad Old Age, and Years of Foreboding Before the Eventual End. (show less)

I heard Jon Stewart on The Daily Show say "this book is phenomenal if you like joy." I agree. Throw out your happy pills and pick up a book of Sedaris essays. This is only my second Sedaris book which again I finished in an afternoon. I enjoy his sardonic and self depreciating humor . He has a great eye for the absurd as well as a very comfortable and personable style. All of his books to date are collections of essays. I know some don't agree but I thought this was as funny as Me T... (show more)

I heard Jon Stewart on The Daily Show say "this book is phenomenal if you like joy." I agree. Throw out your happy pills and pick up a book of Sedaris essays. This is only my second Sedaris book which again I finished in an afternoon. I enjoy his sardonic and self depreciating humor . He has a great eye for the absurd as well as a very comfortable and personable style. All of his books to date are collections of essays. I know some don't agree but I thought this was as funny as Me Talk Pretty One Day, if not more. I mean C'mon the ugly, fat babysitter with the Vaseline skin who collects dolls! I had to put the book down to recover. These hilarious things happen to all of us through out our lives but we forget to see the humor in it. David Sedaris reminds us to laugh at ourselves and our absurd surroundings instead of seeing everything as a tragedy. (show less)

Sedaris is a genius. When reading individual articles in the New Yorker over the years, I never took to him completely. But, going into his world for book-length for the first time, I really appreciate what this fellow does. First off, he's quite self-deprecating and shows his human frailties, and this always helps to win a reader over. For example, at one point he takes a Japanese language class and he freely admits he's the least capable person in the class. Secondly, he's very funny. Perha... (show more)

Sedaris is a genius. When reading individual articles in the New Yorker over the years, I never took to him completely. But, going into his world for book-length for the first time, I really appreciate what this fellow does. First off, he's quite self-deprecating and shows his human frailties, and this always helps to win a reader over. For example, at one point he takes a Japanese language class and he freely admits he's the least capable person in the class. Secondly, he's very funny. Perhaps the humor's subtle, but there were a few laugh-out-loud moments which my fellow MBTA riders may or may not have noticed. Also, I really appreciated his extended writing on his attempt to quit cigarettes. It's a well-rounded account which includes the pleasures of smoking, why he had to quit, and how he goes about attempting it. Finally, as much as Sedaris says he's generally an un-adventurous person, he does go to different countries (France, Japan, Britain) and encounters interesting characters to remember. I recommend this. (show less)

it was good like all of his books. for some reason reading sedaris feels like watching tv; it's that entertaining but at the same time i never really remember what i've read unless i'm reminded. i really really liked the last essay about quiting smoking cigarettes in japan. that story was full of the quirkiness of japanese mannerisms that cracks me up every time cause i've been there and seen it. another essay that made me laugh out loud was "town and country" about a seemingly ... (show more)

it was good like all of his books. for some reason reading sedaris feels like watching tv; it's that entertaining but at the same time i never really remember what i've read unless i'm reminded. i really really liked the last essay about quiting smoking cigarettes in japan. that story was full of the quirkiness of japanese mannerisms that cracks me up every time cause i've been there and seen it. another essay that made me laugh out loud was "town and country" about a seemingly distinguished couple on an airplane that have a hilarious repertoire of bad words. they complain about everything and it's super fucking funny. it's stuff like that that sedaris is good at. he's still funny and on top of his game. it's nothing especially remarkable and it's even a little immature but i hope he never stops writing and i'm looking forward to where he'll move next. (show less)

Unbelievably I am only now being introduced to David Sedaris; perhaps the timing is fitting as a roaring belly laugh is never out of place any time during the first three days of school in September!
Those of you also new to Sedaris, do not read any of these other reviews. At all. Just this one. Maybe you have to be in your 50s? Anyone who has travelled. Or if you have ever had a growth on your ass?!? Perhaps just those of us with a sense of humor and an appreciation for great writing. Hila... (show more)

Unbelievably I am only now being introduced to David Sedaris; perhaps the timing is fitting as a roaring belly laugh is never out of place any time during the first three days of school in September!
Those of you also new to Sedaris, do not read any of these other reviews. At all. Just this one. Maybe you have to be in your 50s? Anyone who has travelled. Or if you have ever had a growth on your ass?!? Perhaps just those of us with a sense of humor and an appreciation for great writing. Hilarious from start to finish, even when introspective about aging, long term relationships and the nature of the human condition. I am as we speak, heading out to arm myself with all of his books and have already lent out When You Are Engulfed in Flames. I may even have to start reading the New Yorker. (show less)