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)

Laugh Out Loud Fun

David Sedaris does it again, with Me Talk Pretty One Day. This book, a collection of short stories and journal entries, is truly a gem. It is laugh out loud funny and insightful as well. I strongly recommend it.

must-have for Sedaris fans

If you like his books, you'll love hearing him read them! I LOVE his adventures with speech therapy and of course the family escapades. I can keep listening to stories on this over and over when I need a laugh.

Funny

I enjoyed the foreign language humor, but not so much the crude body part humor.

He talk pretty good today!

Sedaris is a great raconteur. His use of the language is exemplary. I enjoyed his live performances most because of the level of energy that the audience inspired in him. Bruce*

Phenomenally witty - on a par with P. G. Wodehouse

I am fairly picky. A lot of books that people extol as funny leave me cold. Sedaris' humor feels so friendly that you have the sensation that you are sharing inside jokes with your closest family member. That kind of laughter always makes you feel privileged. It is as if his humor is not just a thing, it's a safe and sunny place in which I can take momentary refuge. I will read/listen to everything he's ever written.

Hilarious

My roommate actually came into my bedroom to ask why I was laughing so loud. I was sitting on my bed crying from laughing so hard. The part where his French class is trying to explain what the holiday Easter is to another class member and the argument between bells and bunnies killed me. I'm laughing right now just thinking about it. Even if you're kind of a prude you'll still be laughing even if you feel bad about doing so.

if you liked reading it.....

if you like reading this book, then you'll love hearing David Sedaris reading his own stories.

Me Talk Pretty One Day

The funny stories get you to start listening. It's woven with serious moments which kept me there. If the first reccounting doesn't pull you in, it might not be for you.

Dated but funny

A solid character of dry humor that does not cease to entertain. Stories are mainly reflective, so some jokes reference materials no longer relevant like old boxy computers. Even still, the entirety is an enjoyable stream of poking fun at one's self-proclaimed superiority towards the world.

Well traveled, hilarious, doesn't try too hard.

Go North Carolinians who get out, who are talented. Thumbs up David Sedaris! We're proud of you.