Holidays on Ice

By: David Sedaris

Narrated by: David Sedaris

Length: 3 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's Summary

Holidays on Ice collects six of David Sedaris' most profound Christmas stories into one slender volume perfect for use as a last minute coaster or ice scraper. This drinking man's companion can be enjoyed by the warmth of a raging fire, the glow of a brilliantly decorated tree, or even in the back seat of a van or police car.

"The SantaLand Diaries", "Dinah, the Christmas Whore", and "Season's Greetings Greetings to our Friends and Family!!!", all previously published stories, have been joined by a trio of equally charming newcomers.

A network television executive strong arms the congregation of a small Pentecostal church in "Based on A True Story". "Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol" finds a bitter local theater critic savagely attacking the various holiday plays and pageants presented by the area's elementary schools. And finally, in "Christmas Means Giving", two competitive families celebrate the season by giving the gift of themselves.

©1997 David Sedaris (P)1997, 2001 Time Warner AudioBooks

Enjoyed the Book

Enjoyed the book very much. It reminded me of my first job and similar experience. I will look forward to reading and / or listening to more David Sedaris books.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

brilliant

Sedaris is now one of my favorites! This is going to be a new Holiday tradition. We have all begun to hear "HO HO HO" in a new and exciting way.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

dark and scary

I found this -- enjoyable -- no big laughs. The first story as an elf is the kind of story that makes you grin -- sometimes with shame. He shows the dark corners of us all. The character David Sedaris writes is xenophobic, cynical, sarcastic... etc
People are like this and that makes you laugh -- or just grin.
The second story is even more so. Although the end left me somewhat in shock.
Spooky, scary, against the stream.
The third set of stories was more ammusing than the second. Again, the main character is showing all of our dark corners. Lust for money, looking for a job... not your everyday christmas stories. Some of the characters actually gave me the shivers -- it scares me that some of them do actually exist.(check out Borat in case you doubt this)

4 of 5 people found this review helpful

So-So

This was recommended to me as being "hilarious", but I actually found it depressing. Frankly, I think it was the naration, not the writing. This might be better on paper.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Not his best

I love David Sedaris but this was weaker than I expected. His career as a Christmas elf was great. Went downhill from there (until his rendition of Silent Night). If you're looking to try something, go with 'Corduroy and Denim' or 'Me Talk Pretty' first.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Not what I was hoping for

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

People who are far more cynical than me.

What was most disappointing about David Sedaris’s story?

There was nothing uplifting. I've never read anything by this author and I knew this might be a little darker than typical books I'd read, but there was just nothing good about this book through the first 3 chapters so I abandoned it. He's a good writer and narrator, but its just not my cup of tea.

Did David Sedaris do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

He did great, but the story was depressing.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Funny but dated

Sedaris is always entertaining, but the humor of the early 90s can land a bit flat on 21st century ears.

Not his best

Santa Land Diaries is the only story worth reading in this collection.

there is another version of Holidays on ice from 2008 which is much better.

Mostly Entertaining

The stories featuring David Sedaris were funny and entertaining. Then in the middle of an otherwise good book... the twisted story of the Dunbar family happened. Not cool. Ann Magnuson did a great performance with a singularly horrid piece. I listened hoping it would get better and was disappointed.

Disappointing

In one of David’s stories, he uses the word ‘retarded’ over and over. Unbearable for me. Returning ASAP!