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Jan
13
Audiobook Review: David Sedaris—Live for Your Listening Pleasure
2010 at 12am Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky
Published November 2009 by Hachette Book Group
David Sedaris may have missed his calling to stand-up comedy.
I mean, I love his books (for the most part), but I don’t think I truly appreciated Sedaris’s talent until I saw him live in Fall 2008. Whereas most authors use book tour appearances to read from their recently published work, Sedaris instead chooses to read from works in progress. This means that when you see him live, you’re likely to hear a piece he’s still fine-tuning, and you’ll notice him taking notes as the audience reacts—or doesn’t—to the his hilarious and insightful observations about, well, just about everything.
In Live for Your Listening Pleasure, Sedaris shares five never-before-published pieces collected from speaking engagements across the U.S.
First, there’s “Cat and Baboon,” a short piece that is one of many animal fables Sedaris is writing. It begins when a cat goes to a baboon to be groomed. Take a minute and think about how funny that is. It continues as the baboon makes multiple social faux pas and begins desperately searching for a way to connect with the cat and leave her satisfied with her grooming experience. So the baboon decides to insult dogs, and even that doesn’t go well.
“Author, Author” chronicles Sedaris’s previous book tour, which began and ended in a Costco, and “Innocence Abroad,” which made me laugh the hardest of all these pieces even though I’d heard it before, includes a critique of people attempting to speak foreign languages and using accents seletively and will make you wish you could see Sedaris’s face as he delivers the lines.
In “Laugh, Kookaburra,” Sedaris discusses his travels in Australia, weird Australian vocabulary, and much more, then he rounds out the CD with “Diary Entries,” which are actual selections from the diary he kept while on book tour. And it’s pure comic gold.
Live for Your Listening Pleasure reminded me why I love David Sedaris as much as I do and made me wish he’d come follow me around for a day or two and write my diary entries for me. The man can make a trip to Costco entertaining, so I can only imagine what he’d do with stories about my crazy hound dog.
At just 75 minutes long, Live for Your Listening Pleasure is a quick and superbly delightful listen. Sedaris is excellent company whether you’re listening around the house or in the car (though that puts you at risk of being the crazy lady laughing out loud, all alone in her car, freaking out her fellow drivers….not that it happened to me or anything), and this little gem of an audiobook is about as close as you can get to the experience of seeing him live. It’s THAT VOICE that makes all the difference.
I had a fantastic time taking David Sedaris on my errands around Richmond, and I’d recommend this audiobook for seasoned Sedaris fans and curious newcomers alike. If you’ve had the pleasure of seeing him live as I have, you may recognize a few of the essays, but it won’t matter. He’ll have you laughing within seconds, and you won’t care that you kind of already know what’s coming.
Just make sure you pee before you get in the car. Live for Your Listening Pleasure is that funny.
Listen to an excerpt from Live for Your Listening Pleasure and check out Sedaris’s upcoming events to see if he’ll be near you.
Hey, FTC: I received a copy of this audiobook from the publisher.
No related posts.
I’m a HUGE Sedaris fan (both David and his sister Amy). His books are great, and you’re definitely right, he’s a riot when he’s live. When he reads from his books they become just that much funnier. It’s great finding other Sedaris fans. Some people don’t always get his humor, but to me he’s golden.
Great review.
I always have a tough time listening to audio books (got distracted, falling asleep…) perhaps I need to try this one, and perhaps it’d keep me motivated when I try to use the elliptical…
Haven’t read his books before so this may be a good start!
Believe it or not but I’ve never read Sedaris. But after I leave here, I’m off to see if my library has it. That is only a nice walk’s worth of listening! BTW, I have been that crazy lady in the car laughing, thanks to the Harry Potter audios! To hell with the passers-by!
I have read Sedaris’s books but have never listened to his audiobooks – I keep meaning to download some onto my ipod because as funny as he is in print, he is even funnier live – his delivery is great! I saw him at Lincoln Center at the end on ’08 and just loved his reading. He also read some Diary Entries there and they were great!
I was the crazy lady laughing in my car stuck in holiday shopping traffic too, but it was oh, so much fun! I loved this audio book, but wish it had been longer.
I love Sedaris so I think I have to get this. I’ve never heard him speak so I’m quivery with anticipation!
David Sedaris is actually one of the few writers whom I would prefer to listen to rather than read, particularly when he is live. We were lucky enough to go to a live performance of his last spring (see my writeup here if you’re interested) and I would love to be able to do so again.
I’m waiting for my library to get a copy of this so I can listen to it.
I LOVE Sedaris, especially on audio! I just downloaded the Ultimate David Sedaris collection from my library, but unfortunately, it’s the 2006 collection so doesn’t include this one. I’ll have to add it to my wishlist!
Like Lesley, I prefer Sedaris on audio. I read Me Talk Pretty One Day years ago and was unimpressed, even though I had enjoyed his stories on NPR. Now I just make it a practice to listen to him instead. He’s such a great storyteller. I’d love to see him live one day!
I saw him live last night and have resolved to download some audio. His rhythm and inflection are superb!
I’ve heard such good things about this audio. I really need to reserve it at the library. Thanks for reminding me
[...] said it before, and I’ll say it again. I love David Sedaris. Naked was the first of his books I ever read, [...]