• Me Talk Pretty One Day

  • By: David Sedaris
  • Narrated by: David Sedaris
  • Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (12,024 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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    8,084
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  • 3 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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Performance
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  • 3 Stars
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Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    5,902
  • 4 Stars
    1,653
  • 3 Stars
    618
  • 2 Stars
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  • 1 Stars
    196

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Funny . . . all the way to the train.

This book had me laughing out loud on my way to work. It caught the other people on the sidewalk off guard and made me look like a lunatic, I'm sure. There are bits of reading straight into a mike that are good but the bits in front of an audience really has David in his element. I can't recommend this title enough. You won't be disappointed.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

He makes ME laugh!

Reading the reviews I get the feeling you either love or hate David Sedaris. This was my second taste of his writing, and found it such a pleasure. Now I have heard two more books by the author, and I really can't imagine reading his work... his voice makes the stories so real. Perhaps someday I will pick up one of his books, but for now, I will listen to his stories. Over and over!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Enjoyable Listen

The content of this audiobook is typical David Sedaris - witty, quirky, and funny without even trying. The best parts are the live chapters. He seems to really thrive with the audience feedback. Normally I do not like live recordings of anything but in this case it really works and his voice is much warmer and multi-tonal instead of the usual nasal monotone when he has the audience to play off of.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Hysterical and touching

I had seen David and his sister Amy on Letterman a few times and decided to give this a shot. It was a total pleasure from beginning to end. Its always great to hear the author read his own stuff but it is amazing to hear David Sedaris read his monologues or dare I call them "pieces." Perfect comic timing a la Jack Benny. He takes on the alternative art crowd, rednecks, and middle america through a unique and often self deprecating tale of his own experiences. What a beautiful book.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Extremely light - LOL funny

This was a good and LIGHT read between Friedman's World is Flat and Roberts' History of the World. This was short and sweet, but lacked any sort of point. This is not a story, rather a collection of humorous events in the author's life (not sure how true the anecdotes are).

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1 person found this helpful

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

Always entertaining

This is my second time listening to this after I read it once. Always a good laugh and well delivered! I Love David Sedaris, nothing like laughing out loud when your out in public with ear buds in😂

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1 person found this helpful

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

Some genuine laughs

First hour or so was the best. The rest was chuckle worthy for sure, I just had a bit more trouble staying interested.

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

A Satirical Masterpiece

Absolutely hilarious!! This collection of comedic, witty essays & short stories provides constant chuckles for the listener. I busted out laughing in the quiet section of the library on more than one occasion.

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

Brightens my day!

I have listened to this book many times. It makes me laugh out everytime! I recommend it any time you need a lift.

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

Hilarious, poignant tales

from a master storyteller. Dave sees an anecdote in each event as he moves thru each story seamlessly

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