Featuring David Sedaris's unique blend of hilarity and heart, this new collection of keen-eyed animal-themed tales is an utter delight. Though the characters may not be human, the situations in these stories bear an uncanny resemblance to the insanity of everyday life.
In "The Toad, the Turtle, and the Duck," three strangers commiserate about animal bureaucracy while waiting in a complaint line. In "Hello Kitty," a cynical feline struggles to sit through his prison-mandated AA meetings. In "The Squirrel and the Chipmunk," a pair of star-crossed lovers is separated by prejudiced family members.
With original illustrations by Ian Falconer, author of the bestselling Olivia series of children's books, these stories are David Sedaris at his most observant, poignant, and surprising.
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"I listened to the audio version of this book. The first part of this collection is really great. It really makes you appreciate what a great author David Sedaris is. He can tell some very poignant stories. The narrators on the audio version make the characters come to life. However the later stories get less interesting and I lost my focus. I started to care less."
— Shannon (4 out of 5 stars)
“Wickedly funny.”
— Los Angeles Times“Great fun.”
— USA Today“Wry and amusing.”
— Chicago Tribune“Outrageous…Wonderful…A rip-roaring hoot.”
— NPR“These tales are toxic little treats.”
— Entertainment Weekly“The funniest man on the planet.”
— Raleigh News & Observer“Like a modern-day Aesop or La Fontaine, Sedaris has his darkly comic and deeply cynical…morality stories enacted by animals.”
— Publishers Weekly“David Sedaris’ dark fables aren’t warm or fuzzy—instead, they have bark and bite…The whole production walks the line between funny and disturbing.”
— AudioFile“We, jaded inhabitants of the modern era, possess the distinct privilege to enjoy the beloved Sedaris’ first collection of short animal tales.”
— Booklist" Don't let Ian Falconer's Olivia style illustrations or David Sedaris' use of animals for tales fool you; this is not a book to read to your children, though it is quite funny. Some of the drawings become, well, a tad raunchy, and some of the stories, um, a bit gruesome but it is still quite funny. "
— Reed, 2/15/2014" I read/listened to this book as an audiobook. The book did not hold my interest while I was driving to and from work. I assume this would be better if actually read and not listened too. "
— Sammie, 2/13/2014" Had to give it 5 stars because the stories stay in your head and are so disturbing. Bedtime stories for adults. "
— Stefanie, 2/4/2014" I read this a few years ago simply because it was a Sedaris book and it was a little disappointing. It's cute and funny but not as funny as his actual life essays and stories. "
— Tomi, 1/28/2014" Enjoyable and unique, Sedaris played with the genre well but it's easily my least favorite of his books. "
— Jess, 1/5/2014" Although there were several short stories within this book that grossed me out, I still found the premise totally worth reading. Any book that inspires my own creativity is worth exploring in my opinion. "
— Tim, 1/2/2014" Meh. Some of the short stories were ok, some were amusing, and many I read just because I refuse to not finish a book. "
— Brooke, 12/28/2013" Fun read for a light mood. "
— Danica, 12/24/2013" I thought certain stories in the book were hilarious and others were just a little too sickening. I would still recommend it as a good read. It was an easy and quick one. "
— Kayleena, 12/8/2013" Not what I was expecting from David Sedaris. But it was different and quite enjoyable. "
— Peggy, 10/7/2013" Highly amusing. Like Aesop's Fables for jerks and realists. A very quick read, but I'm glad I bought the hard copy of this book, if only for the beautiful illustrations. (Also, it was in the bargain books section at McNally Robinson, go get you a copy!) "
— Sam, 9/13/2013" Bwhahhahahahaha....we're all animals!! Seriously loved this one!!! "
— Connie, 8/28/2013" I did not like this at all. It was very dark and any point he was trying to make was completely lost on me. "
— Katie, 7/31/2013" I was expecting funny sweet stories but many of these were gruesome and disturbing. I liked the premise of writing fables and using animals but the images lingered. I thought the Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk fable was wonderful and poignant, but most of the others disturbed me unpleasantly. "
— Beverlee, 6/29/2013" Fables for today. Darkly hilarious. Not recommended for people who don't want to laugh at themselves. "
— Ronni, 5/7/2013" Love David Sedaris, but this collection is a bit dark. Not a "first" read of his talent. I still laughed out loud at a few of the stories. And as always some excellent prose and insight into the human mind. "
— Ken, 1/9/2013" Couldn't wait to give it away. I love David Sedaris but not the fairy tale animal carnivore stories in here. "
— Jolie, 6/4/2012" I could almost see different people from David Sedaris' real life tales being transformed into animal versions of themselves in this darkly comic set of short stories. "
— Ruth, 5/24/2012" Awesome... this was perfect in audio, particularly with Sedaris and Dylan Baker (who is always great) reading. Great modern-day fables told in that delicious Sedaris way. "
— Carla, 4/23/2012" Aesop's Fables with a modern, cynical twist. Very entertaining. "
— Jeane, 9/21/2011" A little too bizare for me, especially being a animal lover. Shades of Animal Farm. A modern day Grimm fairytales with modern day parables. "
— Linda, 9/1/2011" A modern day version of Aesop's fables. I loved it. "
— Angie, 7/22/2011" Love anything he writes. This tongue in cheeky animal-voiced short story compilation makes for great toilet reading - so says my brother "
— Emily, 7/1/2011" Started out kind of humorous, but went downhill from there. It was another one of those I only finished it because I started it. Second worst book I've read this year. "
— Joy, 6/14/2011" Really disappointing based on all of his other work. "
— Lindsay, 6/5/2011" I will read anything by David Sedaris. Been a huge fan since "Me Talk Pretty". "
— David, 5/23/2011" I usually love his books, but I missed the point of this one. Maybe I got the point and just didn't like it. "
— Jennifer, 5/23/2011" There isn't a book he's written that I didn't like. This one is way different than anything he's done but the fables are hilarious and have great punch lines. "
— Mindy, 5/23/2011" Some of the short stories were funny and generally delightful--other a bit...disturbing. Fair warning! "
— Karen!, 5/23/2011" David Sedaris is one of the most funny satirical writers around. I'll read anything he writes. "
— Rene, 5/23/2011" Tragic, really. But an amusing satire. "
— Laurie, 5/22/2011" One of the worst, if not the worst accidental collection of words I've ever read. "
— Brad, 5/21/2011" LOL Crying! So funny!<br/><br/>16 stories in all. first few so funny, but the novelty quickly wore off. glad it was a short read. "
— Betsy, 5/20/2011" Seriously love David Sedaris. This was garbage although it had the potential to be brilliantly funny. Usually one or two of his shorts fail in his books, but this whole thing was pathetic. I pray he hasn't lost his gift. "
— Melissa, 5/20/2011" It's amazing the outrageous stuff an author can write when the dialogue is between animals instead of people. Amusing and appalling at the same time. "
— Anne, 5/19/2011" I really didn't like this one very much. There was one funny story but the rest seem brutal and harsh. I was a little disappointed. He usually writes some great essays. Maybe next time. "
— Virginia, 5/18/2011" It takes a while to get into the stories (the first couple are just so so), but later the stories pick-up humor wise. Nice short read. "
— Dom, 5/18/2011" Stick to non-fiction, please. Your fiction isn't nearly as funny, just morbid. "
— Amy, 5/18/2011" I liked it but I was already a fan. Not the best place to start with David Sedaris though... "
— Jennifer, 5/17/2011" I am now a little wiser. I cannot tell you how, but still, just a little wiser. Extremely short though. It's an extremely modest bestiary. Not terribly good value for money. "
— Nick, 5/15/2011" An afternoon read. you may laugh at some lines and tales but I found it a little on the yuk side. I would recommend to read and think about the stories.?? "
— Jo, 5/15/2011" A cute idea, but lacking the imagery and flair of Sedaris' other work. "
— Jon, 5/15/2011David Sedaris is the author of a dozen books, including four that made the #1 New York Times bestsellers list. He is a regular contributor to the New Yorker and BBC Radio 4. In 2019, he was inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He is the recipient of the Thurber Prize for American Humor, Jonathan Swift International Literature Prize for Satire and Humor, and the Terry Southern Prize for Humor.
Dylan Baker is an American stage, screen, and television actor. He attended Georgetown Prep and William and Mary College before earning his BFA at Southern Methodist University, where his passion for acting was ignited with numerous stage roles. Later refining his talents at Yale’s School of Drama, Baker turned professional with big screen roles in movies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Delirious, and Love Potion No. 9. His audiobook narration has won him eleven AudioFile Earphones Awards.
Sian Phillips’ long acting career has included roles in Goodbye, Mr. Chips, How Green Was My Valley, Ballykissangel, and Midsomer Murders.