Me Talk Pretty One Day

Me Talk Pretty One Day is not your run-of-the-mill memoir or collection of short stories. Not by a long shot. David Sedaris' biting wit will have you laughing out loud by page one. Whether it's the struggles of a boy with a lisp in speech therapy class, the absurdity of a college instructor assigning soap operas for homework or the irreverent descriptions of an uncooperative bowel movement, Sedaris' caustic prose leaves you with painfully-aching sides. Don't read this book in public if you're afraid to be seen--and heard--cracking up. And don't be surprised if between laughs you find yourself learning about life and appreciating the author's insights. Salmon Run

True to his other works, 'Me Talk Pretty One Day' is a collection of short stories chronicling various moments in his life. However unlike his other books, most of 'Me Talk Pretty One Day' does not involve members of his family but rather focuses on his life in France. Yes, the author struggles somewhat with the French people and, especially, the French language. But unfortunately these stories, while not exactly boring, are too predictable to be really funny. Somehow Dave Sedaris battling Dave Sedaris in France is not as interesting as adolescent Dave Sedaris fighting adolescence and his delightfully dysfunctional family. And so I hope the author recalls or invents more stories involving his family, or I suggest he retire young and keep studying French.


Bottom line: David Sedaris deviates from his proven theme, must to the disappointment of this reader. Not recommended.

There isn't much more I can say about this book that hasn't already been said but I will try anyway. I read this quite a few years ago on a friend's recommendation. And OH MY GOODNESS! My words do not do this book justice!! Sedaris' take on life and his way of telling stories is unlike anything I have ever read or heard. This book was so laugh-out-loud funny that at any given moment while reading this book I could be found spitting coffee out of my mouth, bending over in laughter and yes maybe even wetting my pants!! (okay, so the last one never happened but this book is just that funny!!)

I read so many great reviews for this book, and I love his sister, Amy Sedaris, so I thought... why not? I'll try it. I am usually one to love autobiographical stories, but I was slightly surprised when I read this book. I will say I enjoyed reading through it, but there were certain situations he was in (a story about public transportation in France where an American couple is making fun of David and his boyfriend... thinking that because they are in France, they are the only ones who speak English... I loved the scenario, but I was rooting for David to make a witty comeback to the couple... and he never did. Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed.) My favorite stories are about him teaching an English class and requiring students to watch soap operas... oh! and also the few that are about David learning French-hilarious!
This book is very quirky. I liked it, I wish I loved it because the writing is very fun to read, but some of the short stories needed a little "umph" to 'em. If you enjoy reading short vignettes that are sometimes excruciating awkward... this is definitely the book for you. I would not say it was "laugh out loud" funny (and there are many books that are just that), but it was worth the time reading.

David Sedaris is endearing, hilarious, and brutally honest. His stories are as funny as they are because their presentation comes in a manner that is so embarrassingly honest it has to be true. I've purchased this book at least a dozen times, read it more than that and I can't help but give it away to people who haven't had the pleasure of reading it. Sedaris was on tour recently and I don't think I ever laughed as much as I did at his reading. He's wonderful! If you haven't read this book, it is a must. I am very much anticipating his new book due out this year!