• Me Talk Pretty One Day

  • By: David Sedaris
  • Narrated by: David Sedaris
  • Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (11,999 ratings)

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Me Talk Pretty One Day  By  cover art

Me Talk Pretty One Day

By: David Sedaris
Narrated by: David Sedaris
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Publisher's summary

David Sedaris' new collection of essays - including live recordings! - tells a most unconventional life story. It begins with a North Carolina childhood filled with speech-therapy classes ("There was the lisp, of course, but more troubling than that was my voice itself, with its excitable tone and high, girlish pitch") and unwanted guitar lessons taught by a midget. From budding performance artist ("The only crimp in my plan was that I seemed to have no talent whatsoever") to "clearly unqualified" writing teacher in Chicago, Sedaris' career leads him to New York City and eventually, of all places, France. His move to Paris poses a number of challenges, chief among them his inability to speak the language. Arriving a "spooky man-child" capable of communicating only through nouns, he undertakes language instruction that leads him ever deeper into cultural confusion. Whether describing the Easter bunny to puzzled classmates or watching a group of men play soccer with a cow, Sedaris brings a view and a voice like no other to every unforgettable encounter.
©2000 by David Sedaris, All Rights Reserved (P)2000 by Time Warner AudioBooks, A Division of Time Warner Trade Publishing

Critic reviews

"At his best, he makes you laugh out loud, which indeed may be worth the price of admission." (The New York Times)

Featured Article: The top 100 memoirs of all time


All genres considered, the memoir is among the most difficult and complex for a writer to pull off. After all, giving voice to your own lived experience and recounting deeply painful or uncomfortable memories in a way that still engages and entertains is a remarkable feat. These autobiographies, often narrated by the authors themselves, shine with raw, unfiltered emotion sure to resonate with any listener. But don't just take our word for it—queue up any one of these listens, and you'll hear exactly what we mean.

What listeners say about Me Talk Pretty One Day

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not For me

I like non-fiction, I also like work done by comedians. This book didn't really fit into either, for me. The author was highly recommended by a friend. Maybe I was not in the mood for this type of literature nonetheless I found myself a little bored. The story about his drug abuse was a big turn off for me. By the end of the book the author grew on me a little. I liked the stories about his parents and his time in France. It seemed like a eloquent explanation of typical unusual occurrences in life. Maybe some people have never observed interesting anomalies in life therefore this book meant more to them? I have another book of his I will probably listen to it if I need some "fluff" reading. Most likely I won't buy any more of his books. I have a feeling I will forget most of his stories in a couple weeks. The contents weren't memorable like Atlas Shrugged more like recalling a quote from a movie you saw once...

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

Thank God for David Sedaris...

To get me through this pandemic. His unique comedy takes me away from 2020. I need his prose to combat anxiety and depression.

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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

Brilliant

I love David Sedaris’ books and hearing him reading them only adds to the experience. Wouldn’t recommend listening in public unless you’re alright with smiling like an idiot in front of complete strangers for no perceivable reason!

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

👑💎💜💛💜🦄💜💛💜💎👑

Hilarious, honest, and captivating. I have read all of his books,, but listening to them is another level of magical. His voice animates all of his stories in the best way. David Sedaris is 👑

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Classic David Sedaris! I love the live readings!

Of Sedaris' multiple books, this one is my favorite. It's a great combination of stories from his childhood, his time in Normandy with Hugh and other stories that made me laugh out loud.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable fun with depth. a bit overrated

considering the sheer number of reviews and best of list that this book appeared on I expected to be more consistently uproarious. Certainly had some moments and deserves a listen. Great to pop on to listen to in pieces or just run through.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Hilarious!

Fantastic to hear him read his stories and the live readings make it more engaging.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Hilariously read by the author

I kept laughing throughout the story! I'm really glad David Sedaris is the narrator.

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

Brilliant, masterfully written,

Love, this book, it's AWESOME
Incredibley entertaining,
Comedic Nonfiction
Storytelling Genius,
Love Him
💯
💕

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

Hilarious.

Laugh out loud funny. Great stories, great storyteller, and Sedaris’ voice is a great one for narrating. Highly recommended.
My new favorite author.

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