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Lyn's Reviews > When You Are Engulfed in Flames
When You Are Engulfed in Flames
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In our present culture, we sometimes write "LOL" meaning laugh out loud to recognize something is funny, but this is usually just a smile or an acknowledgment of a humorous situation.
I can sincerely type LOL, or even ROFL, or LSHIS (laughed so hard I snorted).
This is funny.
Sedaris has a rare gift of relating a hilarious story or by simply telling a commonplace occurrence in a funny way.
So why just three stars? In between the laughs is the not altogether likable persona of Sedaris. He may impart self deprecating humor, or maybe he is personifying a satire on our culture, or both, but many times in the narrative, organized into short essays or vignettes, I had to admit that I did not like my narrator.
Other times, to be fair, he repented or showed a generous, open mindedness; but I could not shake the image of an unapologetically selfish person who, sadly, may reflect modern Western culture all too well. That said, really funny book.
I can sincerely type LOL, or even ROFL, or LSHIS (laughed so hard I snorted).
This is funny.
Sedaris has a rare gift of relating a hilarious story or by simply telling a commonplace occurrence in a funny way.
So why just three stars? In between the laughs is the not altogether likable persona of Sedaris. He may impart self deprecating humor, or maybe he is personifying a satire on our culture, or both, but many times in the narrative, organized into short essays or vignettes, I had to admit that I did not like my narrator.
Other times, to be fair, he repented or showed a generous, open mindedness; but I could not shake the image of an unapologetically selfish person who, sadly, may reflect modern Western culture all too well. That said, really funny book.
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Reading Progress
August 1, 2011
– Shelved
November 21, 2011
–
Started Reading
December 13, 2011
–
Finished Reading
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Nov 24, 2015 06:12PM
totally reading this in the nearby future :)
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Lyn wrote: "Oh my God he's funny. I liked another one by him better, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary"He sure has funny book names haha. I'll start this one and move to that one. Thanks for the recommendation!
Lyn, thank you for the great review. I read a book by him several years ago (before I joined Good Reads). I can't remember the title. It's interesting that you mentioned not liking the narrator and pointed out his selfishness. I had the same feeling also. I think that it's for that reason that I haven't rushed out to read any other by him quite yet. I'm sure that I probably will, but with my huge pile of books to read, his are not on the top of my list by any means.
Thanks Negin, he is very funny, and I liked the other book better. I saw him on TV once, reading a sketch and he is hilarious
I have to look this one up on Amazon! If something made you *snort* I have to see how funny it is :-D
Yes, he is hilarious and let me go one step further, if you like audiobooks, get one where narrates, his comedic timing and delivery is perfect.
I will check on overdrive and see if they have audio. Or even just the book :-)
I think you'll find it, he is popular for his readings, you can even see some on youtube
I will check out the youtube, sometimes I stalk around youtube. You know how it is :-)
Great review - pretty much reflects my thoughts as well. I do like listening to Sedaris, but sometimes I want to say stop whining and suck it up.
Terrific review Lyn! Something just rubbed me the wrong way about this author, and you hit it right on. Think I'll check out YouTube.
I was reading a piece by DS in the New Yorker a few years ago about various trials and tribulations he was going through in France. He related the horror of trying to drown a mouse in a toilet while the mouse( a fellow mammal) was desperately trying to save itself. Funny????? Not so much ... I have to agree that I'm not sure I like this guy. You can hear him occasionally on PBS radio too.
I've read a lot of Sedaris and I agree he's the rare author that makes me actually LOL. I also agree that he's a screwed up fellow but as I remember - it's been a long time - he pretty much owns his dysfunction.To me there's always a big difference between (and i think you just read a book on it) Assholes who know they're Assholes and ones who don't.
I have no problem with the former, and in fact some would argue I fall into that category, I just get annoyed with those who seem incredulous when their actions are revealed to be full of assholery.
- but again I did read Sedaris many years ago so i may be mistaken.
He's probably a good guy and the other books of his I've read since I've liked more
I totally felt the same when I read this book!
I liked some of his other works better, he is very funny
