A Carnival of Snackery

Diaries (2003-2020)

De: David Sedaris

Narrado por: David Sedaris, Tracey Ullman

A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice

There’s no right way to keep a diary, but if there’s an entertaining way, David Sedaris seems to have mas­tered it.

If it’s navel-gazing you’re after, you’ve come to the wrong place; ditto treacly self-examination. Rather, his observations turn outward: a fight between two men on a bus, a fight between two men on the street, pedestrians being whacked over the head or gathering to watch as a man considers leap­ing to his death. There’s a dirty joke shared at a book signing, then a dirtier one told at a dinner party - lots of jokes here. Plenty of laughs.

These diaries remind you that you once really hated George W. Bush, and that not too long ago, Donald Trump was just a harm­less laughingstock, at least on French TV. Time marches on, and Sedaris, at his desk or on planes, in hotel dining rooms and odd Japanese inns, records it. The entries here reflect an ever-changing background - new administrations, new restrictions on speech and conduct. What you can say at the start of the book, you can’t by the end. At its best, A Carnival of Snackery is a sort of sampler: the bitter and the sweet. Some entries are just what you wanted. Others you might want to spit discreetly into a napkin.

©2021 David Sedaris (P)2021 Little, Brown & Company

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Sedaris is a singularly talented humorist who lands acerbic zingers with the calculating precision of a kamikaze pilot.... Throughout the colorful, caustic yarns that fill his best-selling essay and story collections, he’s maintained league-of-his-own status by staying light on his feet: Just when you’re expecting a wry jab, he clocks you with a poignant gut punch.” (Rachel Rosenblit, Washington Post)

“Deeply satisfying.... the diaries are as clear, direct and funny as his essays.... [Sedaris] has such a gift for illuminating small things.” (Liana Finck, New York Times Book Review)

“Uproarious… a must for Sedaris fans.” (Lesley Kennedy, CNN)

Why use another narrator. Ugh

David David David. Don’t you know I fall asleep to your voice every night. Now I have stories with Tracy speaking. Ugh.

David only, Please!

I have always liked Tracy Ullman but not when I’m. “Jonesing” for David Sedaris.
Even when I could read I always purchased David’s books in audio.

Very poor performance from Tracy Ullman

As many have noted, the magic comes from David’s style and delivery. I tried listening to Tracy but then fast forwarded her parts. Must return so I’m not aggravated any longer. Can’t get past 2007.

Great

It’s great, like all of David’s work but just wish it was his voice through the whole thing.

a return to form

his best in many. I was scared of using another narrator for even half because it's such a large part of what I love about these. But I mean if Tracy Ullman's going to do it. and it worked. I'm seeing him speak later this month. One of my first post covid events. I cannot freaking wait.

David- please do the narration for every bit of your story

I am used to David’s soothing voice and the dramatic change of narrator’s tone made it quite harsh on my ears. I couldnt focus on bits done by another narrator - passing over my head.

Loved format

This was a very fun book to listen to. However, since some of the entries are so short, some of the funny things go by so quickly, I can’t remember them, and know that I will listen again!

First Sedaris Book

I thoroughly love this audiobook. I’ve never read (or listened) to Sedaris before. It was completely enjoyable all the way through. I love the little jokes that pop in and it’s always fun to listen to a diary of a person who travels all over the place. Interesting to hear the viewpoint of Covid and the lockdown when that happened. Interesting to find out that an area in England is covered with litter. I would’ve expected it to be thoroughly clean. I know a lot of listeners did not like Tracey Ullman in there. I did not mind her. It was OK, she has great voices, I just didn’t understand why. Why couldn’t David just read the whole book. It made no sense to have Tracy pop in for just the English portion. No sense at all. Sorry David I disagree.

Always a laugh out loud treat

Love David, love Tracy, did not love her read. Took me out of the stories and felt odd.

Laugh after laugh

Davis Sedaris never fails to tell his stories in such a witty clever way, such a funny wholesome book