The Best of Me

Starred review from September 21, 2020
Sedaris’s brilliant knack for observational humor is on full display in this terrific retrospective essay collection (after Calypso). Culled from his previously published volumes and magazine pieces, this work focuses on the dynamics among the six Sedaris siblings and their parents (“I might reinvent myself to strangers, but to this day, as far as my family is concerned, I’m still the one most likely to set your house on fire,” he admits). Whether searching for the perfect Paris apartment with his partner, Hugh, recalling long-ago family vacations, or describing his sister Amy’s freaky encounter with a psychic, Sedaris finds ample fodder for his keen satiric sense in his life and the lives of those around him. Sedaris can take even the most serious subject—such as his sister Tiffany’s suicide—and evoke both empathy and laughter. He can also be just plain hilarious, as in “Jesus Shaves,” about a discussion of cultural differences using the limited vocabulary available to students in a beginner French class (“The rabbit of Easter. He bring of the chocolate”). This is the perfect introduction for the uninitiated, while Sedaris’s fans will enjoy rediscovering old favorites. Agent: Cristina Concepcion, Don Congdon Assoc.

Master humorist David Sedaris selected many of his (and our) favorite essays to narrate for this wonderful collection of his work. From "Glen's Homophobia Newsletter Vol. 3, No. 2" to a never before published essay, "Unbuttoned," Sedaris is at his best both as author and narrator. With his keen eye for detail and his scalpel wit, Sedaris delivers glimpses of his wonderfully weird world with these sometimes snarky, sometimes sweet commentaries. Sounding sassy, edgy, and delightful, Sedaris expands listeners' awareness of the frequent absurdities life throws his (and our) way, touching our emotions and tickling our funnybones. Even within the most personal, autobiographical stories, the themes are universal. Sedaris's observations are spot-on and good for a grimace or a giggle, making for perfect anytime listening. S.J.H. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine