Themes and Variations

An Essay

By: David Sedaris

Narrated by: David Sedaris

Length: 30 mins

Publisher's Summary

An Amazon Charts Bestseller.

In this surprising essay, international bestselling humor writer David Sedaris shares the rewards of a book tour and his devoted readers’ worst-kept secrets.

Dismissed by a bored author at a book signing, a betrayed young man named David Sedaris made a vow. Someday, when it was his turn at the table, he’d connect with his readers. The experience has been even more revealing than he’d hoped.

In this hilarious and perceptive essay, the celebrated humorist reflects on the unusual patterns of forced socialization between author and audience, and the obligations and sometimes surprising returns of not-so-chance encounters with strangers: jokes, secrets, insights, and even charity.

©2020 David Sedaris (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic Reviews

“Author David Sedaris delivers this honest, funny essay with his usual flair…This is a short look at the crazy world we live in by one of its most talented observer-humorists.” (AudioFile Magazine)

It’s true!

Sedaris really does talk to every single person in line after his events. And Portland beggars are exactly as he describes. And, yes, I take my bra off the instant I don’t need it.

Quintesencial David Sedaris

I love David Sedaris and this short performance made me laugh about 6 times! Highly recommended.

Only whets the appetite for his next book

I believe this is a first, a single Sedaris essay released on Audible. It was a much needed surprise as I assume his next book is still a ways off. For us Sedaris fans it's always difficult waiting until his next book comes out as we, well, I, usually finish his books within about 72 hours after they drop. So the wait is long.

Loved this funny, personal, essay. I love how he talks to people....cab drivers, people in line at Starbucks, people who come to his signings and performances. Insights gathered, he filters them through his quirky brilliant eye, and voilà we get a new book. Now if he could just speed the whole thing up and write faster?

Much Needed

David Sedaris is such a wordsmith
I love his way of describing his encounters with people. he can even make unpleasant ones entertaining.
love this!

No Subways in Milwaukee

The story about the $50 is fabricated of impossible settings. “Stumbled on a subway” could not happen in Milwaukee as there are no subways. Calls into question his entire autobiographical genre. What else is fabricated out of imagination?

Too ridiculous to put my parents off.

And that, quite frankly is what I love about Dave Sedaris' writing style. I suspect that a meth-head living in a nest of synthetic and other fibers (the leader of his former art collective); Latin [illegal aliens] fostering cockroaches and bedbugs in New York City housing projects(his former neighbors, who kept the tradition of candied fruit alive but also invented hallway dog walking); and amusement park misshaps-- just to name a few--would have me calling the cops [Immigration] or perhaps cultivating anthrax, but it's all well and good when it happens to Dave Sedaris And it is just as well the present essY shows the lighter sides of: improvised dildos and self-stimulation; Working women's lack of modesty; and civilizational decline as it relates to public libraries. Everyone laughed.

No Boundries

This is sick! Do not waste your time, energy or $$ Of all the things to tell stories about the needs of the homeless. This one missed the mark 100%

Funny

Some good stories, some edgy jokes. Fun listen. Adult content. Author reads well.
Enjoy.

David never disappoints!

As always, David Sedaris's narration takes his unique storytelling style to new heights. I laughed out loud several times!

Typical Sedaris, i.e.., Funny Stuff

Women who take off their bras when (or before) they get home, men who stick things up their butt, and giving away $50 bills to poor people. it's all worth a big chuckle.

Hilarious and thought provoking....

David Sedaris is a genius. Listen to this. I hope you'll laugh and also enjoy the insights he describes into the workings of our civilised yet instinctive minds. So honest.

Laugh out loud

Everytime! WHAT a storyteller. David is a wonderful writer and there isn’t a publication of his I haven’t totally devoured straight away and enjoyed thoroughly

Lyrical and compelling

The storyline is gentle, the language beautiful. This is a book to be drawn into, I felt I was there with sights, sounds, sensations. I resisted the book for months thinking it would be worthy and heavy. However, once I started, I was so reluctant to let it finish. On Audible, it was therapeutic and I was transferred to another time.

Hilarious

Sedaris on perfect form again in 30 hilarious minutes that'll make you feel warm inside. Inside where? you can figure out after listening.