Review – When You Are Engulfed in Flames

June 3, 2009 · Comments

When You Are Engulfed in Flames It appears that I missed meeting David Sedaris last week when I was in New York. That’s probably for the better, because I will say that Sedaris is most definitely on the very short list of people that I’d love to meet, but that I’m sure I’d sound like a fanboy in front of, given the opportunity. I even have an autographed copy of “When You Are Engulfed in Flames,” thanks to Whitney Hoffman, who met David several months ago. But that all said, there’s a reason to go gaga over David. He writes with a wit and consistency that keeps me happy book after book.

But here, let’s pause, for I have to admit something. As avid a book reader as I am, with David, it must be in audio format. The folks at Hachette sent me When You Are Engulfed in Flames in the unabridged CD version (along with some other titles) to check out. I love it. The production quality of the CD is amazing. The music used in the interstitial parts makes sense, sounds like something David might have chosen. The live tracks make for a nice mix of flavor.

It’s just an all-around well-produced CD version of what was already a great book.

If you’ve not yet read Sedaris, I’m not sure where to start. I guess you might try picking up Naked or maybe the Holidays on Ice audio for his Santaland Diaries piece. But then, if you’re not already on board this train, what can I tell you? If you missed Me Talk Pretty One Day, this might be a little bit of a bounce.

That said, let me tell you that Sedaris fans who somehow chose to skip this one, stop it! Go back and get this CD set. It’s a total riot and has given me hours of pleasure and entertainment.

One last odd note: the story about befriending and capturing spiders in his little French farmhouse was probably my favorite, and oddly very touching. It wasn’t expected, I guess. Whatever the case, listen for that one.

Check out the CDs:

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  • I have been waiting for a new David Sedaris book for a long time. I read the entire book yesterday afternoon and I could not stop laughing. His descriptions, dialogue, and demented details are uniquely Sedaris. This book did not disappoint; I knew what I was getting into the moment I read through the table of contents. Some critics are saying that there is nothing new here, blah, blah, blah. What do they want from a David Sedaris book? Romance? Epic Adventure? YA Fiction? I am a huge fan of Mr. Sedaris (David, not Lou), and his essays on his life leave me laughing. The section on smoking was not only funny, but very truthful. I could taste the menthol while reading. Very descriptive-very hilarious! Thank you David Sedaris.
  • Marci
    I actually met David last week at a book signing. He was exactly as I expected, calm, deliberate and odd. I, however, was not. Check it out on my blogg - littlebit-mt.blogspot.com
  • I first heard of David Sedaris over 15 years ago from a NPR reading of the Santaland Diaries. Can you imagine that as your first exposure to him? After catching my breath from all the laughing, I thought "who IS this guy?" It was like this little treasure that had been handed to me. It still is. And if I ever met him, I would be a gibbering idiot, I'm sure.
  • Just saw this. You are 1000% right. And Sedaris out loud is the only thing better than Sedaris in print.

    If new to Sedaris, do check out "Me Talk Pretty One Day" and "Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim." And don't miss him when he comes to town. He often reads new works in progress. Bring kleenex and Depends.

    http://www.barclayagency.com/sedaris_appearance...
  • I ♥♥♥ Sedaris!
    He can't write fast enough for me.
  • Thanks. I haven't read any of his work but will hunt him out. I love diarists and authors who find humour and whimsy in everyday life. I too have a house full of (harmless unless you're a fly) spiders who I've befriended believing we can absolutely co-exist quite happily.
  • Someone made the comment that Dave Barry is the average Joe next door you'd want to meet and Dave Sedaris is the creepy guy who lives down the road that the neighbors talk about. I actually want to meet Dave Sedaris, too, so I'm not sure what that says about me, but I'm a raving fan. I love him! I'm on a long road trip and have Engulfed in Flames on CDs, which I've been listening to and laughing to for days now. You have to get the audio versions of his books because his delivery is perfect. Sedaris reading Sedaris is the only way to go!
  • bryanmaleszyk
    FWIW: Mr. Sedaris is visiting Boston (correction: Cambridge) tomorrow for a book signing in Porter Square. I am in total agreement that listening to his essays is an experience much more conducive to his dry yet caustic wit. If you ever listened to him on This American Life, you get the feeling that he is a man who is who is unsurprised at anything, yet he finds contradiction and wonder in the most basic of things.

    The essay on befriending the spider appeared in an alternative format in the New Yorker. I laughed out loud when I read it, on a crowded bus. I'm sure David Sedaris could find an essay in that.
  • Chris, you don't tell us why you need audio format? It seems dangerous. I already can't read his books in public - I laugh out loud and strangers edge away. If I were to put them on my iPod, why, I might fall off the treadmill.
  • Thanks for the book review. This is very useful!
  • I will say though that once you've heard David Sedaris speak you will always hear him when you read his books (same can be said for Bill Bryson). Their tone and personality jump off the page as it is but when you have the added element of having heard an authors voice it's like you've gone from listening to am radio to watching a film with super-mondo, quadraphonic, surround-sound.
  • I read Engulfed in Flames recently as my first Sedaris experience. I have no idea why this is, but in any event I absolutely loved the book and continually forced people to listen to me read bits out loud to them from the book. Any new person who came into my house would be subjected to my reading/laughing to the point of tears most times. The very first chapter where Hugh abandons him in the crowd, the Japanese/English translations, and the swimming chapter were some of my favorites. Upon your suggestion I will try audio for my next Sedaris experience.
  • Love love love him! I have all his books, and an audio of a concert he did at Carnegie Hall - priceless. Your comments about having him in audio are spot on. It's very dififcult for an author to add that much to reading, IMHO. He's both an author and a skilled entertainer, so it works perfectly for him. I'm a visual learner, and as much as I would love to have audio books going, I cannot get into them. But Sedaris is the exception.

    And yes, I have met him, and I was a goofy, giggly fan girl. So embarassing.
  • I went to one of Sedaris' readings last month, and bought and read Engulfed. For me, the reason he "nails it" is because of the way he connects our vanity and self-serving pettiness to the stories we tell ourselves about how high-minded and righteous and justified we are. He does this with such ant's level (spider's level?) detail that we're captured in the texture before we realize we're stuck in the muck with him and laughing with him, at him and with and at ourselves. You're right...every Sedaris book delivers.
  • I love David Sedaris. He is the author I recommend to people writing their life stories. Despite the craziness he writes about you want to be part of his life. It sounds so much more interesting.
  • whitneyhoffman
    I think what I like best about David and his books is the idea that he goes each day, not knowing what he might find that may be his next big passion, the next thing that totally enthralls him, because I feel that way. Before I started on the whole Podcasting and blogging thing, before I went to the first Podcamp, I had no idea it would change my life forever. Each day holds so much promise, and his optimism tinged with sardonic humor speaks to me. And I agree- as much as the books are fantastic, the audio is always the best, which is why I love hearing him speak in person, and try not to miss an opportunity.
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