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)

Depressingly funny.

Enjoyed it, Much darker than his other books, the very worst in humanity could be so funny.

Entertaining

This was a great book to listen too. Very funny at most parts, and an embrace in human nature in other ways.

I LOVE this man.

David Sedaris is what I call smart-funny. His stories are often about nothing much, but somehow you are wiser, and enriched after hearing them, and, were laughing hysterically the whole time. Just adore him.

Good Stuff

What a joy, I am only half way through this and have ordered others by the author. These stories are funny, touching, realistic, dark…yeah; all around good stuff. Mr. Sedaris’ writing, voice and narration are sublime, highly recommended.

Excellent writer

Rarely do I actually laugh out loud while reading or listening to a book. This guy made me laugh. He is brilliant.

A tamer Sedaris is still a great Sedaris

Would you listen to When You Are Engulfed in Flames again? Why?

Yes! David Sedaris never fails to make me giggle.

Who was your favorite character and why?

David's portrayal of his neighbor Helen was priceless, as was his description of the complex relationship that developed between them. Funny and perversely heart-warming, I will definitely go back to listen to this in the

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

David has a unique voice, literally and figuratively. I have listened to him for years on

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There are so many that I can't pick one. David generously flaunts his vulnerability - trying too hard to impress or portray a certain image - that it is endearing, touching and very

Best author of all times. absolutely hilarious .

Loved it. Was upset when it ended.David Sedaris is my favorite author and an awesome narrator. I Always have and always will relentlessly inform others of his books. They are my favorite and he is absolutely hilarious.

one of the best stories, I've listened to lately.

narration could not have been better,
relatable stories of childhood cracked me up
loved it .

Another Interesting One

Always interesting and entertaining. You wish you knew him, at least at a distance so you don't end up in one of his stories!

Weird sense of humour...but funny some of the time

Kind of a little offbeat sense of humour, but generally OK except for beginning of second part; too much reliance on vulgarity to make it funny...skipped through it as it was not my taste.