Naked

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It's a hit!

The owner of the little bookstore in town (which closed last week, much to my chagrin) recommended this book to me, based on the other purchases I... (show more)

The owner of the little bookstore in town (which closed last week, much to my chagrin) recommended this book to me, based on the other purchases I was making, telling me he read it on a plane and kept getting rude looks from other passengers for laughing so loudly and often. Sounded good to me! I'd never read any Sedaris before, but I was familiar with his sister Amy's awesomeness on the old "Strangers With Candy" series...and the book was $2...so I bought it. Another friend spotted it on my shelf @ home and concurred on the myriad instances of laughing out loud she'd had whilst reading it...and I will third that by saying that my reactions throughout the chapters ran the gamut from wry grin to subdued giggle to outright guffaw repeatedly. There were also uncomfortable awkward moments and cruel turns that were surprisingly easy to identify with. LOVED the book and will definitely be reading more Sedaris...wish only that I could still patronize that little indpendent shop for reading material and informed social interaction (though I LOVE Amazon and have found the staff at Borders to be more than helpful & pretty knowledgeable...there's something about a little store that feels GOOD)... (show less)

 

 

by Norma Marotta Walsh

No, it's a flop!

Tried it but I did not like it. I became tired of him going on in what I felt were narcissist rants. It became very old very fast.

 

 

by Angie Chavez

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  I’m sorry to report that your laugh lines will deepen upon the reading of this book. Your guffaw will deafen and your sides will split. Before you snub this review, hear me out: Mark Twain and Will Rogers were comic hacks in relation to Mr. Sedaris, American Treasure(TM). If you were drinking milk while reading Naked, it would surely either go up, or out of, your nose; otherwise, you would choke to death on your own laughter.

  Ever read a book you never wanted to end? Ever read a passage ou... (show more)

  I’m sorry to report that your laugh lines will deepen upon the reading of this book. Your guffaw will deafen and your sides will split. Before you snub this review, hear me out: Mark Twain and Will Rogers were comic hacks in relation to Mr. Sedaris, American Treasure(TM). If you were drinking milk while reading Naked, it would surely either go up, or out of, your nose; otherwise, you would choke to death on your own laughter.

  Ever read a book you never wanted to end? Ever read a passage out loud to a friend because it was THAT funny? Ever laugh wildly on a city bus only to have strangers look at you as though you were mad? This book will inspire all this and more.

  Sedaris’ memoir, written in stand-alone essays, is both scathingly witty and disarmingly charming. He takes you through early childhood to early adulthood with characters like: cigarette wielding mother who mocks her son’s ticks in front of his teachers; Greek Ya Ya who drove her daughter-in-law crazy; college roommate who happens to be a paraplegic; crazy Oregonian with obscene collection of penises (once again reinforcing why I think Oregonians are crazy—no offense), and several nudist campers who are obsessed with towels. There’s more, much more. But you need to discover this cast of characters for yourself. After reading each chapter, you’ll want to re-read it again and again and again.

  Sedaris is pure entertainment and never disappoints. He’s far better than anything on television and far cheaper than any subsidized therapy. Naked needs no review because once you’re introduced to Sedaris, you pretty much know what you’re in for: a delightful diversion from the tragic happenstance that is your own miserable life. But that’s all right, his life is wacky and he makes it all seem at once hilarious and heartbreaking, vital and absurd, poignant and poppycock, and in the end, worthy of celebration. (show less)

   

   

  by Jean Walton on Jun 17, 2009 at 04:55AM

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  The one thing that I absolutely love about David Sedaris is his dedication to subverting bullshit. He always digs hard for the realness under everything, even when it's mostly dirty and messy. He portrays his relationships as they are: flawed. I think one of the reasons so many people find his work funny is because we're all secretly breathing a sigh of relief that someone finally has pulled the rug out from under conventional families and relationships. At least I do.

  And there are some rea... (show more)

  The one thing that I absolutely love about David Sedaris is his dedication to subverting bullshit. He always digs hard for the realness under everything, even when it's mostly dirty and messy. He portrays his relationships as they are: flawed. I think one of the reasons so many people find his work funny is because we're all secretly breathing a sigh of relief that someone finally has pulled the rug out from under conventional families and relationships. At least I do.

  And there are some really great moments in his writing when he reaches those messy places in real life and effortlessly finds the beauty in it. Without the bells and whistles. Without a sparkling white innocence. Just real life. In all of it's tensions and releases. I think he's a brilliant writer. (show less)

   

  by Clint Wells on Dec 24, 2008 at 12:20AM

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  Is this review helpful? yes no
   
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