Me Talk Pretty One Day

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
Pages 272

(POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELOW)
Me Talk Pretty One Day is a collection of short stories from author David Sedaris (brother of Amy Sedaris aka Jerri Blank from the tv series Strangers with Candy.) I first came across Sedaris' writing when I read Holidays on Ice, which is a book I loved and read several more times. So I decided to start with his other works and thus was brought to Me Talk Pretty One Day. In Me Talk Pretty One Day, David covers everything from his childhood, his time in France with boyfriend Hugh, his drug abuse, and everything in between. And even when the subject seems dark, Sedaris' uses a wit, satire, and sarcasm that makes the reader laugh with him, at him, and at ourselves. The stories inside include a childhood filled with speech therapy classes for his lisp, unwanted guitar lessons from a midget, his performance art career, his stint as a writing teacher, his challenges to learn French, watching American movies in another country (It is Necessary to Save the Soldier Ryan), his sister's obsession with disguises, his differences with his brother "The Rooster", his experiences with family pets, his bathroom embarrassment at a party, his time working for a moving company, the ludicrous nature of new cuisine, website phobia/hate, his crossword puzzles, his father's hoarding of food, and many, many more.
Perhaps my most favorite of the short stories is "The Late Show". It is what goes on in David's mind when he can't sleep. So what does he do? He makes up fantasies for himself, including a Mr. Science fantasy, a boxing fantasy, and a white house intern fantasy. It's a story that hits home while remaining humorous.
I do have to warn the readers out there that David is NOT shy. In his story he openly talks about his homosexuality, his former cocaine habit, and many other topics that might make other squemish. It's not that he's promoting these things, he just tells it like it is. So if frank, humor doesn't bother you than pick yourself up some Sedaris. 4 out of 5 stars!