Me Talk Pretty One Day

This book is laugh out loud funny. It got me through a long day of air traveling. Me Talk Pretty One Day is almost like a collection of short stories put together in one book because it doesn't follow the beginning-middle-end format. Each chapter is more or less a chapter in David's life. Either way, the things written in this book will make you loud so laugh others will stare and ask what's in it. I read it in one day, and might read it again if I need a good laugh.

I've read most of David Sedaris' books and this is my favorite. I bought this one because I loaned my first copy out and can't remember who has it. I'll happily read it again and laugh.

For anyone who has ever been to France, or anyone who has suffered the indignities of learning a foreign language, this is the humor book for you! Only be sure to read it in private, because if you're like me you might find yourself laughing out loud on public transportation, which can be embarrassing! Enjoy!

THE BOOK ARRIVED PROMPTLY, IN GOOD CONDITION AND I WILL PURCHASE FROM THE SELLER IN THE FUTURE.

As much as I'm a fan of biographies - particularly historical ones - I've never been really enamored of autobiographies. Generally, they are too self-serving, which is to be expected: you can hardly be really objective when writing about yourself. Indeed, David Sedaris's Me Talk Pretty One Day is self-serving, but at least it's not in the standard way. Instead of being the hero of his book, Sedaris is often the lead buffoon.

Of course, that is to be expected. This is really a collection of semi-autobiographical essays which often does obvious fact-bending to get some good humor. Does the humor work? Usually, yes, and that's the key to success for a book of this nature.

Me Talk Pretty One Day is divided into two parts. The first part - titled "One" - is a series of essays about Sedaris's life in the United States, coping with speech therapists (due to a lisp), drugs and teaching. The second part - "Deux" - deals with life in France, where Sedaris goes with his lover (it is no secret that Sedaris is gay and he gets some humor out of this, but most of it has less to do with homosexuality as with relationships in general).

The typical problem with these sorts of books is that they are best read in small doses, maybe an essay or two at a time; otherwise, the humor begins to acquire a bit of sameness that dulls it a bit. Unfortunately, this conflicts with my cover-to-cover-and-on-to-the-next-book attitude, which may have cut into my enjoyment a little. But I still found this to be a breezy and funny read; it may not be a riot, but Me Talk Pretty One Day is good enough to get the occasional chuckle and have you at least smiling the rest of the time.