• When You Are Engulfed in Flames

  • By: David Sedaris
  • Narrated by: David Sedaris
  • Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (204 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

David Sedaris' remarkable ability to uncover the hilarious absurdity teeming just below the surface of everyday life is elevated to wilder and more entertaining heights than ever in this new book of stories.

Sedaris proceeds from bizarre conundrums of daily life - the etiquette of having a lozenge fall from your mouth into the lap of a fellow passenger or how to soundproof your windows with LP covers against neurotic songbirds - to the most deeply resonant human truths.

Taking in the parasitic worm that once lived in his mother-in-law's leg, an encounter with a dingo and the purchase of a human skeleton, and culminating in a brilliant account of his attempt to quit smoking - in Tokyo - David Sedaris' sixth story collection is a fresh masterpiece of comic writing.

©2008 David Sedaris (P)2008 Hachette Audio

What listeners say about When You Are Engulfed in Flames

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Great Listen

I have never heard of David Sedaris before but bought the book anyway. I am so glad I did. Was well worth paying for as I had no credits left. I have listened over and over to this and loved every second of it. My partner has even request that I stop listening to it before I go to sleep as I have been keeping him awake with my chuckling! Sorry Darl....lol

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Very Entertaining

His wit makes any subject entertaining, some sections are almost straight out stand-up comedy, and not only is he a great writer but fantastic narrator - brilliant at accents and impersonations. Lot's of laugh out loud bits, only thing I didn't like was when he went a little bit too far up the gross-out scale in the bits about the morgue and boil-lancing, but if you know him I guess you're going to expect that.
An extra star for self-narration alone, huge bonus.

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

Classic Sedaris

The most exquisite and captivating observational humour. Always irreverent and self-effacing in equal measure. The live sessions are particularly enjoyable.

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

The book to read when trapped in German airport

If you could sum up When You Are Engulfed in Flames in three words, what would they be?

uplifting 'funnyashell' stunning

What other book might you compare When You Are Engulfed in Flames to and why?

David Rakoff

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

pure honesty and impeccable delivery.

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

cried laughing, also eased relationship travel tension when listening to it as a couple.

Any additional comments?

Best thing to share with significant others.

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