• When You Are Engulfed in Flames

  • By: David Sedaris
  • Narrated by: David Sedaris
  • Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (10,626 ratings)

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When You Are Engulfed in Flames  By  cover art

When You Are Engulfed in Flames

By: David Sedaris
Narrated by: David Sedaris
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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)

What listeners say about When You Are Engulfed in Flames

Average customer ratings
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Good Listen

If you've read David Sedaris you know what to expect and if you haven't give a listen and find out.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

This is a true inner vision to his the life of Dav

What made the experience of listening to When You Are Engulfed in Flames the most enjoyable?

His unabashed reveal

What was one of the most memorable moments of When You Are Engulfed in Flames?

The neighborhood in France

What about David Sedaris’s performance did you like?

the ability to laugh at himself

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

I did not care for the level of detail in the quit smoking stories.

Any additional comments?

this was not one of David's best but as a whole I would buy more and continue to listen.

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Funny!

Longtime lover of Sedaris books here: this book lived up to my expectations! Loved Sedaris narrating his own stories. Very witty and dry, sometimes laugh out loud funny.

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A Very Funny Book

Although years old, and buying it on sale, I enjoyed the story and narration a lot.
The authors wit is a shining beacon in the some thing something.
A great story. Thank you.

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  • PD
  • 12-15-18

"Hilarious"

What I love about David Sedaris books on Audible is that they are essays. You can listen to them on short drives and complete the chapter or essay. They put in a great mood. Sedaris is a terrific word smith. More importantly, I want to be his friend. Do you think we could hang out sometime , David? We could go shopping...

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Classic David Sedaris

So entertaining as always. I love to listen to David Sedaris. Such a great writer and performer.

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super

hysterical interesting and Intelligent book with the author reading a great bonus on audio format.

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David Sedaris is hilarious

i only wish Audible had more of his titles!!! Only 2 & Calypso is great too. MORE, PLEASE!

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I love David Sedaris

I so enjoyed this book. If you are new to Sedaris, I would recommend starting with “Naked“. But I like all his stuff, ever since I first heard him on NPR.

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One of my absolute favorites!

I've probably listened to this 10 times! I catch something new each time. Love it!

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