Me Talk Pretty One Day

By: David Sedaris

Narrated by: David Sedaris

Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins

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)

My favorite David Sedaris book

Any additional comments?

I read this book years ago, but the audiobook is a completely different experience. I laughed out loud.

This is not an unbridged reading of this book.

While this may not be a complete reading of the original book. It still amazing. This book extremely funny but not for everyone. It's a story about a man's troubles with life and the French language through I am pretty sure the most cynical glasses someone has ever look at themselves though. I read this book around 8 years and still have my copy. I know for sure they cut out You can't kill the Rooster. I tried to look for the other chapters missing but some of the live bits don't have titles. This audio does include more content them the original book.

review of MTPOD

Very entertaining, Sedaris is a master observer and storyteller. Well done. Looking forward to the next download.

You need this experience.

I appreciate this book because it reminds you it's really not that serious out there.

I loved this recording!

What a great mix of proses and recorded stand-up comedy. I have been studying French and especially enjoyed David's stories of learning the language--so true. Just order two of anything and you do not need to know the 'gender' of the noun.

Lisa

Would you consider the audio edition of Me Talk Pretty One Day to be better than the print version?

Loved them both. I will reread this book and will always keep it in my collection.

Who was your favorite character and why?

David of course. He is so hilarious and self effacing. I love his wit, charm and sarcasm.

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

His personality really comes through in his narration although reading the book is really just as good. Take your pick.

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

I laughed and cried and told the stories to anyone that was in earshot as I finished them. I of course don't do them justice but can't help myself.

Any additional comments?

Love David Sedaris!

a real mood enhancer!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I thoroughly enjoyed this reading and would recommend it to anyone, especially someone in need of a good laugh. It's audible Prozac!

Who was your favorite character and why?

The author was the main character in a series of snippets from his life and I would have to say that he was my favorite, tho his sister apparently is an outrageous character also.

Have you listened to any of David Sedaris’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

This is my first liste to David Sedaris, but it prompted me to want more.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it was easy to break up listening sessions by stories. I liked that, as some books can be tediously long as audio fare.

Any additional comments?

I bought this audio book as an afterthought to a series of more serious non-fiction reads/listens. So far it's the only one I've made it all the way through and I'm so glad I added it to my collection.

Love David Sedaris (as always!)

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely! It's funny, charming, weird, and so well performed!

Who was your favorite character and why?

N/A

What about David Sedaris’s performance did you like?

I loved the inclusion of the live shows.

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

Laughed so hard while driving, I was swerving on the road!!

Understated and Witty

Another relaxed delivery of witty, occasionally touching stories from a great author with a distinctive literary (and physical) voice.

What a life!

Sedaris' wit and charm transported me to a place beyond the capacity of my imagination. A great story - told in a remarkably funny fashion.