• 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 (10,618 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
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    6,646
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

laugh OUTLOUD

I spent the summer traveling through parts of Europe, California and Texas all on foot. Therefore I was hooked onto my ipod and listened to this book with David's awesome voice and flection. I found myself laughing aloud on the airplane, while walking alone, on the subway and constantly retelling the tales in order to encourage more people to purchase this wonderful wonderful book. Thank you DS for your talents.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Sedaris' latest book rocks

David Sedaris' latest book is amazing, discomforting, thought provoking, humane, and, of course, very funny. It is a must-listen.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Clever insights and excellent writing.

Presentation skills by author are exemplary. Timing and delivery superb. Enjoyable from start to finish.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Sedaris strikes again

I used to read David Sedaris books on paper when I was younger, but now that I have audible, I’ll never go back. David’s ability to deliver his stories with perfect comedic timing had me laughing over and over again. I highly recommend this and any of his books! (Do yourself a favor and get the audio, it is amazing.)

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well-presented humor

Had enjoyed brief snippets and G-rated NPR stories he eloquently presents. This book, while containing a whole lot saltier language, brought hilarity and irony to each day I listened. Telling what it’s like to travel and live in a foreign country, and attempt learning an exotic tonal language with a non-western alphabet (e.g., Japanese, Thai) in the land of kawaii cuteness was perfect. This, older book inspires me to seek out the enjoyment that know will find in his other works.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

So easy to follow. Funny. Light
Feels real
Every day life
Humorous and exciting at times

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I enjoy this

I enjoy his perspective.
And I enjoy his reading his work.
I read all his books.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Sedaris always delivers

The world is so much more interesting and funny a place thanks to David Sedaris’ stories — as are my walks while listening to him narrate them.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Book

Was good I liked very much cool the way each chapter is its own story and you can really hear the authors voice in his work

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love his storytelling!

Funny and at times, poignant. Stories of his childhood make us all feel a little better about our own. David is one of my favorite authors!

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