Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls

By: David Sedaris

Narrated by: David Sedaris

Length: 6 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

Audie Award Finalist, Humor, 2014

From the unique perspective of David Sedaris comes a new collection of essays taking his listeners on a bizarre and stimulating world tour. From the perils of French dentistry to the eating habits of the Australian kookaburra, from the squat-style toilets of Beijing to the particular wilderness of a North Carolina Costco, we learn about the absurdity and delight of a curious traveler's experiences. Whether railing against the habits of litterers in the English countryside or marveling over a disembodied human arm in a taxidermist's shop, Sedaris takes us on side-splitting adventures that are not to be forgotten.

©2013 David Sedaris (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

"Sedaris is the preeminent humorist of his generation." ( Entertainment Weekly)

Let's explore some new material

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

My time was well spent listening to this audio book because it provided a great soundtrack to my daily commute, which would otherwise be spent avoiding eye contact with pan-handlers and crazies.

Would you be willing to try another book from David Sedaris? Why or why not?

Yes. His work is usually quite funny and relevant. And the material is not so engrossing that you'd get hit by bus while listening.

Have you listened to any of David Sedaris’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I loved "Me Talk Pretty One Day." It was laugh out loud funny. Unfortunately, I found this book a regurgitation of material I've heard before. It's not his best work, nor is it his worst. If you are unfamiliar with Sedaris' work, I'd suggest listening to this, otherwise it's old hat.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No. This would not translate to screen. These are merely sketches and not fleshed out stories.

Hor others are better

Didn't like it until near the end. Skip this one. His story was bland and depressing. Not his usual humor.

Witty and deadpan as ever

David Sedaris, as always, delivers a thoughtful and witty reflection on his own experiences. As a long-time fan, I would definitely recommend this book, though I didn't find it as consistently golden as some of his other works. He's not a young man any more, and some of his opinions (notably on politics) can get tiresome at times.

For a first-time reader of Sedaris's work, I would more readily recommend "Me Talk Pretty One Day", "Holidays On Ice", or "When You Are Engulfed In Flames".

Another Great Collection of Stories!

Would you listen to Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls again? Why?

I almost didn't get this audio-book based on some of these reviews- "Music too long" "Live audio terrible" etc. especially because I honestly didn't care much for his last book "Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary" at all.

Well, I'm glad I ignored them because now that I've finished listening I must say, those people have no idea what they're writing about! The music was perfectly innocuous and appropriately timed. The live recordings sound exactly like live recordings always do- live. Sure you hear the audience but that's sort of the point!

Then there's the review complaining of Sedaris' delivery. May I remind you that it has been 20 years since his first book and the man is 56 years old! Do you really expect everyone to stay the same?

Bottom line, this is yet another terrific memoir from one of my favorite authors! Just as funny, charming, alarming and fun as ever!

If you are a fan, you won't regret it! If you aren't a fan then you probably won't be won over.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Um, David Sedaris. Because it's a memoir.

Which character – as performed by David Sedaris – was your favorite?

His mother.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but couldn't.

I really wanted to like this. I really did.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Yeah I would actually make these stories interesting and funny. Two important charachteristics that I feel this book sorely lacks.

What was most disappointing about David Sedaris’s story?

I didn't think his storys were that funny in this book. I bought this book based on his reviews because a lot of them we're positive. Now I am teetering on the idea that all of those positive reviews we're old fans grasping at Sedaris straws, frantically looking for something they could all proclaim was a "new classic". "Lets Explore Diabetes With Owls" is simply just not that interesting collection of essays.

What does David Sedaris bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is a wonderful storyteller! Him reading his book was probably the best thing about the listening experience because he has such a charachter voice and also can interpret his work in the way it is supossed to be interpreted.

A Good Anthology

Any additional comments?

I’m not sure why I bought this book as I’d never heard of David Sedaris before. It was likely the couple glasses of wine that lowered my resistance to buying 3 Audible credits and and a desire to stock up on audiobooks before going on vacation, even though I didn’t need more books.

This title had permeated my consciousness with hype on Audible and some magazines I read and had peaked my curiosity. In my research prior to purchasing, I found that David is an American humorist with a decent following and so I decided that Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls would be my introduction to David Sedaris.

This book then sat unread for a little over 4 months before I queue it up while waiting for my next Audible credit to arrive. I figured as this was a book of distinct stories that I could always stop part way through if I wanted to read something else, but didn’t.

David reads this book himself which I have always liked for biographical audio books and does a solid job presenting his material. Some of his stories have been recorded live, but most of the book is recorded in studio. The stories reflect David’s life growing up in Raleigh, North Carolina, living abroad, traveling, and being gay before ending with some short absurd and funny stories at the end of the book.

All the stories are good to great and I found myself laughing out loud on many occasions. Sedaris is just a bit older than I am, so I related well to his commentaries on how the world has changed since the 1970s. His stories are sympathetic enough that you are able to relate and care enough to find out more about Sedaris’ life, but not good enough for me to rush out and buy all his other audio books immediately. I’m not saying I won’t pick up another book by Sedaris, I probably will, but just not today.

In conclusion, a good book and a solid read if this is the type of book that interests you pick it up.

Meh. Much less enjoyable than his older work

I’m a pretty big David Sedaris fan but didn’t find myself laughing much at all in this book.The pithy and witty observations of David’s world and be easy to relate to self-effacing humor seem to have been replaced with simply complaining about life experiences.

I did not get too many laughs out of this, or poignant insights either. It mostly seemed like a bunch of slightly angry and resigned sketches, well written but no ultimately pointless to read unless you want to hear someone’s observations about the more negative aspects of life.

how did u get that way

i think this mad has got to be the funniest person i have ever heard (except for my own friend david, but my friend picks out hilarious things from items on the news or stuff from the side of the rode and puts them on facebood for all the see. also i appreciate the way that anther sees the world. sardonically/sadaris-ly
BRAVO

Sedaris -- funny but getting a bit tiresome

Would you try another book from David Sedaris and/or David Sedaris?

Likely not. I'm a fan, don't get me wrong. But his first few books seemed more authentic since they dealt with his early life. As he has become more famous and more insulated from the ordinary world, the stories seem to come from a point of privilege.

Could you see Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No -- I think it would result in a bad sitcom.

almost fell off the treadmill

Warning! Listening to the droll and hilarious David Sedaris is hazardous while at the gym.Even if you manage to keep your feet laughing out loud and other vocal reactions can be misinterpreted as derision at no judgement zones . The agony is worth the ecstacy. Mr. Sedaris is a glorious storyteller and a wry writer who sees the world clearly on a tilt.