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)

It's great!

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

When it comes to David Sedaris's work, I'm definitely a teletubby listener ("Again! Again!"). I have nearly all of his audible books and have been sharing them with my family and friends for years. We always enjoy re-listening to his work, and this will be no exception. Don't hesitate.

Sedaris being Sedaris

Any additional comments?

This is classic Sedaris. If you are just being exposed to this author, this is probably not the place to start. Read some of his earlier works first. Get to know him. So by the time you come back to this book, it will be like running into an old friend. You'll be happy to hear from him again and he'll have a lot of funny, interesting stories to catch you up on.

Brilliant David Sedaris as always

David Sedaris' essays are always entertaining, always witty, always delightful, and this one is no different. Go read it now!

Funniest Sedaris book in ages

I found his last two books morosely charming but not laugh out loud funny. This new one is a return to form. The best way to enjoy Sedaris is live so the live bits are especially fun. The musical interludes are a nice touch.

too self-indulgent

I used to love his writing, but now lacks any substance and character. I struggled to finish this. makes me sad

Lackluster and Uninpsired

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

I've listened to all of David Sedaris' books and would listen to this one even knowing what I know now, but compared to the others, this really seemed phoned in, as if Mr. Sedaris wasn't inspired in the least and was simply writing/compiling to meet a contractual obligation. This, along with Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary, is the least interesting of what Mr. Sedaris has written to date.

What about David Sedaris’s performance did you like?

Yes, of course, always. It was just limited by the material he was relaying this time.

Do you think Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Well I'm certainly looking forward to Mr. Sedaris next book, despite this rare miss. He's generally great fun, witty, clever, and insightful.

Any additional comments?

For the people here complaining in comments about sexual content, I don't get it. What are they talking about? Their only issue is that it's written by a gay man who is open about who he is and they aren't comfortable with that. If there's a graphic sex scene ANYWHERE in this I must have slept through it.

Side Splitting Funny

If you could sum up Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls in three words, what would they be?

Life experience - true or false? Who cares - Sedaris is as wonderful as usual.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sedaris...........and his sister's cameo appearances........

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

Sedaris' deadpan delivery makes this. This is the first of his books I've actually listed to and what a difference. The others were hilarious - but the tone with which he delivers this book made it for me.

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

No. I like it to last a bit longer than that!

If you love him you will love this!

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

Absolutely! The stories, like all of Sedaris'' best work are both humorous and thought provoking. Nothing is better than when he reads his own work.

What other book might you compare Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls to and why?

Me Talk Pretty One Day - because it's one of my favorites and this book reminds me of it in both tone and quality.

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

No one, and I mean no one, can read his work like he can. There's a reason why his book tours where he reads stories are so popularly attended,

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

You'll laugh, you'll cry from laughing, and you'll laugh some more.

Love!

My love for David Sedaris and his storytelling continues strong! Delivery is always amazing.

Back to Life (Fables Schmables)

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

After a number of books with equal or greater weight given to fables starring animals, Sedaris is back to telling the iconic stories in which he confronts the foibles of modern life and mines his past for stories of growing up Sedaris.

What did you like best about this story?

You get a little bit of everything - from modern day Sedaris navigating the beauracratic absurdities of living abroad to the young Sedaris family gathered around the kitchen table, trying to stop their father from attacking their friends. Sedaris finds warmth and humor in unexpected places - taxidermy, for example, and a colonoscopy. You can't help but laugh out loud.

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

The audiobook skillfully combines the fun of Sedaris reading before a live audience (with the - to be expected - accompanying raucous laughter) with the intimacy of Sedaris reading in a studio that made his first "Adventures in Santaland" so memorable.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes. Laugh and laugh and laugh!

Any additional comments?

Overall - great production. This is a fabulous collection of essays - offering lots of essays drawn from life and a few of his more over-the-top fiction pieces (relegated to the end). Intriguing musical (and other sound-based interludes) make one feel that the producers were interested in creating a coherent whole, and - as someone who enjoys both Sedaris live and Sedaris in-studio, I appreciated the mix of both.