When You Are Engulfed in Flames

By: David Sedaris

Narrated by: David Sedaris

Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Once again, David Sedaris brings together a collection of essays so uproariously funny and profoundly moving that his legions of fans will fall for him all over again.

He tests the limits of love when Hugh lances a boil from his backside, and pushes the boundaries of laziness when, finding the water shut off in his house in Normandy, he looks to the water in a vase of fresh cut flowers to fill the coffee machine.

From armoring the windows with LP covers to protect the house from neurotic songbirds, to the awkwardness of having a lozenge fall from your mouth into the lap of a sleeping fellow passenger on a plane, David Sedaris uses life's most bizarre moments to reach new heights in understanding love and fear, family and strangers.

Culminating in a brilliantly funny account of his venture to Tokyo in order to quit smoking, David Sedaris' sixth essay collection has been avidly anticipated.

©2008 David Sedaris (P)2008 Hachette Audio

Critic reviews

2008 Grammy Nominee, Best Spoken Word Album

"Older, wiser, smarter and meaner, Sedaris...defies the odds once again by delivering an intelligent take on the banalities of an absurd life." (Kirkus Reviews)
"This latest collection proves that not only does Sedaris still have it, but he's also getting better....Sedaris's best stuff will still - after all this time - move, surprise, and entertain." (Booklist)

As always, amazing!

This man is the King of the Essay. I adore his mind! It's especially rewarding to hear him perform. Don't miss an opportunity to see him.

Don't take the reviewer's word for it.

I enjoyed the book. However, upon looking back to when I purchased it and reading the customer reviews, I realize how hugely unhelpful those reviews were. Some of them, both the negative and the positive ones, I have to wonder if these readers had listened to the same book. I found none of the elements in which they either complained or gave commendation.

The book is simply a very enjoyable collection of essays on day-to-day living through the eyes and perception of Mr. Sedaris. His vocal delivery is part of the fun. And, as a former smoker, I found the latter portion of the book incredibly well written and organized as to follow the struggles of quitting. I could empathize and laugh at behaviors that I, myself, had engaged in while in the process of quitting.

What a delight!

My husband has been a fan of David Sedaris for many years, but I was not familiar with his work until I saw his interview for this book on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. I am so glad I bought it and I really believe this is an instance when an audiobook is the best medium for the work. David Sedaris is a wonderful writer, but his performance and presentation make good writing even better. This is a storyteller I can listen to for hours.

One of the best Sedaris books

I have listened to all the David Sedaris books. He is hilarious and insecure and dark, my kind of guy. My favorite is Dress Your a Family in Corduroy. But this one is excellent. Especially if you have quit smoking, or plan to. Love him! Like most huge fans, I have attended many of his live readings. Highly recommended. Even my most skeptical, homophobic friends laugh constantly.

Soo much funny!

I listened to this book on one day and it made my work day go by so quickly. His quirky charm is never pretensious or dull; I admire how he can make fun of himself and self-analyze so effortlessly. I will be getting all of his other books on audible; I dont think I can read any of his books better than he can.

Hilarious and full of depth at the same time.

I had attempted to read Sedaris two times before, to no avail. Listening to him tell his own story helped ensure that nothing was lost in translation. I look forward to hearing and/or reading more of his work. Fantastic!!!

Great book

Few chapters were done in front of a live audience. Otherwise very well preformed and witty.

A solid listen

Where does When You Are Engulfed in Flames rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Sedaris is wonderful as usual, and he brings his stories to life as he reads. A good choice when you need something to pick you up from a funk. If you have not read Sedaris before, know that his humor can sometimes come from serious places, so not for those looking for simply light fare.

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

This title is not my favorite by him, but it had me laughing and smiling along as I listened. I might have looked like an idiot, giggling to myself as I ordered coffee in the mornings.

Hilarious!

As usual, Sedaris is spot on with his observations. He is one of the funniest men alive today. In addition, he's open and honest about his life and his failings. You have to admire that.

another outstanding reading. put this on your summ

absolutely outstanding. I wish she would write more books,. this is the second book I have read by him. I absolutely employ you to get the audio version, as he is