Sedaris soars off shelves

May 22, 2009 • written by Taylor Trauger, 08-09 Copy Editor  
Filed under Entertainment

        When people have bizarre or unpleasant experiences occur all the time, they can become angry, upset or depressed. Instead, David Sedaris chose to write about his life in short personal essays, becoming a best-selling author.

        Sedaris is an American author who grew up in the suburbs of Raleigh, N.C. with five siblings, and his family life offered much inspiration for his autobiographical essays.  He also wrote about his experiences in France with his boyfriend and trying to learn a second language.

        His hilarious personal essays have been compiled into best-selling collections, and he has also written plays with his sister and spoken on the radio. Most recently, he wrote the essay collection, “When You Are Engulfed in Flames,” and it has become one of my favorite books.

        Sedaris writes parody and satire in a realistic way that makes everybody relate and laugh. His experiences in a foreign doctor’s office, with a speech disability coach and with his strange family include the thoughts people have but are too nervous to say out loud. Not only is he hilarious, but his writing is impressive and skillful. Sometimes his humor sneaks into awkward situations and the reader is unsure of how to respond.

        In “When You Are Engulfed in Flames,” Sedaris accidentally befriends an old sex offender neighbor of his in northern France. He finds himself in awkward circumstances trying to avoid the man to save his own reputation, but feeling bad for the lonely neighbor. Moments like this add interesting humor to Sedaris’ stories.

        The stories Sedaris shares are personal and real, and I love this kind of writing. I love being able to relate directly to the author and not just fictional characters. It’s nice to know the hand behind the pen and know what kind of life the writer had. Sometimes it makes the reader feel better about their own life, too.

        Other than knowing who the author is in his writing, people have the opportunity to know him in person. Sedaris is on a tour with his latest essay collection, “When You Are Engulfed in Flames,” and will be at the North Dakota State University bookstore June 9 at 7 p.m.

        For a reading and signing, Sedaris will be around to share some of his own humor in person, and I strongly recommend not only reading his essays, but coming to see him this summer. His bizarre and unpleasant stories will be a joy to hear.