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When You Are Engulfed in Flames Audiobook
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(3.00) - 89,020 listener ratings
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Plot Summary
When You Are Engulfed in Flames, a series of autobiographical essays, was written by humorist and self-styled wit David Sedaris.
From testing the boundary of romantic bonds when Hugh lances a pus filled blemish on his back, to stretching the limit of lethargy when he snatches water from a glass of flowers to fill the café maker after his water is shut off, David takes the most banal and strange memories to uncover new dimensions of empathy and terror among friends, foes, and family.
Ever had a cough drop fall from your mouth to a stranger's lap? Ever blocked the sunlight and twittering birds with records plastered over your window? Ever bought drugs from a peddler in a mobile park in North Carolina? Sedaris most certainly has.
Ending with a voyage to Japan in order to stop smoking, this number six addition to his series of autobiographical essays is one for which fans and critiques waited eagerly. Though it is acidic, it is also a wiser take on the absurdity of being alive. Like his other works, Sedaris will only continue to prompt, inspire, and entertain.
David Sedaris is an award winning author, humorist, and radio commentator. He came to public attention with his journalistic style Santaland Diaries, which was broadcast over public radio to a wide audience. Obsessive compulsive and bourgeoisie, he makes light of his former occupations, his family history, and does so with a keen eye for self-deprecation. His works have sold over eight million copies worldwide.
"I remember this being on the bestseller's list years ago, but I didn't know anything about it. It's a collection of short stories, and they were quite entertaining. Full of memorable descriptions from a funny point of view. An excellent and charming read."
— Leiah (4 out of 5 stars)
Publisher Summary
Once again, David Sedaris brings together a collection of essays so uproariously funny and profoundly moving that his legions of fans will fall for him once more. He tests the limits of love when Hugh lances a boil from his backside, and pushes the boundaries of laziness when, finding the water shut off in his house in Normandy, he looks to the water in a vase of fresh cut flowers to fill the coffee machine. From armoring the windows with LP covers to protect the house from neurotic songbirds to the awkwardness of having a lozenge fall from your mouth into the lap of a sleeping fellow passenger on a plane, David Sedaris uses life's most bizarre moments to reach new heights in understanding love and fear, family and strangers. Culminating in a brilliantly funny (and never before published) account of his venture to Tokyo in order to quit smoking, David Sedaris's sixth essay collection will be avidly anticipated.
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Quotes
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“It’s not just that Sedaris’ crisp prose is humorous. What makes his work a consistent joy to read is his deliciously skewed vision of the world, and his deadpan delivery.”
— Boston Globe -
“The preeminent humorist of his generation.”
— Entertainment Weekly -
“Sedaris’ sparkling essays always shimmer.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“This latest collection of 22 essays proves that not only does Sedaris still have it, but he’s also getting better.”
— Booklist -
The new book by renowned gay humorist David Sedaris is even better on CD; Sedaris reads the stories, and his comedic timing adds another layer of wit to the already hilarious prose."
Awards
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A #1 New York Times bestseller
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A #1 USA Today bestseller
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A 2008 Grammy Award Nominee for Best Spoken Word Album
When You Are Engulfed in Flames Listener Reviews
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" Truly funny! "
— Valerie, 2/10/2014 -
" I love David Sedaris, always good for a laugh "
— Cornelia, 2/9/2014 -
" odd man. interesting life. i have to be in the right mood to read him. "
— Nora, 1/23/2014 -
" another decent offering from david sedaris. his quirky, twisting style was evident, although this one is a little less strong than some of his previous writings. it was a rather slow leisurely read for me, as there was nothing really compelling me to turn the pages, but it was indeed well written. i wouldnt read it a second time, but i would give it a positive nod if someone were to ask my opinion of it. "
— Lyricsninja, 1/22/2014 -
" A hilarious collection of essays that had me actually laughing out loud in many places. Absolutely recommended to anyone with a sense of humor. "
— Shawna, 1/9/2014 -
" Some very funny parts, like laugh out loud funny. However, not as many as I had hoped. The last part of the book, he details his daily struggle to quit smoking, which was a bit tedious to read. I will probably continue to read Sedaris books, because I thought Naked was so blasted funny! "
— Mandy, 1/8/2014 -
" I liked the second half more than the first; frankly, I found the first half fairly depressing. Having traveled a bit in Japan, reading "The Smoking Section" was hilarious. I also loved the descriptions of seat mates on airplane trips in "Crybaby" and "Solutionto Saturday's Puzzle." "
— Jennifer, 1/7/2014 -
" hilarious of course. Stand alone brief tidbits. Perfect for a little pick me up at lunch time or while waiting for what ever it is we are constantly standing in line for. "
— Jay, 12/30/2013 -
" I was amused! "
— Amandine, 12/23/2013 -
" Amusing morbidity. "
— Jeremiah, 12/21/2013 -
" I listened to the audiobook "
— Lauretta, 11/3/2013 -
" As Always I enjoy a sedaris book. "
— Bree, 10/24/2013 -
" This book is perfect to listen to while commuting. It's funny, quirky, entertaining. I enjoyed Sedaris' outlook at life's situations, the characters he meets & knows and his perspective from living in countries outside the States. A fun book of short stories. "
— Petra, 9/21/2013 -
" Not my favorite Sedaris book. "
— Andy, 9/14/2013 -
" Nope, back to the library asap. Don't understand his appeal, but thank him for the inspiration to work on my writing. Cheers David. "
— Jennie, 9/3/2013 -
" Not as good or as laugh out loud funny as Naked or other previous books - but still enjoyable and evoked some chuckles here and there. "
— Raina, 7/27/2013 -
" Always love his books! "
— Veronica, 7/25/2013 -
" There were parts where I laughed out loud. He has a way of writing about instances that I really like. However, it was a little hard for me to relate to. I would still recommend it as an easy-read for someone. "
— Tiffany, 5/30/2013 -
" Funny. Didn't love the last story, but there's a lot to like in this collection. "
— Rachel, 3/14/2012 -
" I've read the 1st three stories. I just can't get into it. It's possible that it's just my frame of mind at the moment, so I'm going to put it away & pick up a different book & come back to it later. "
— Carolanne, 12/9/2011 -
" A very pleasant and often funny book, though sometimes a little slow. "
— EMi, 11/13/2011 -
" Wise and funny. "
— Jan, 7/20/2011 -
" My favorite part was when Amy helped him study Japanese. Sooo funny! "
— Kendra, 7/19/2011 -
" not my favorite, but still some good stuff. "
— stacy, 7/13/2011 -
" He is very funny, but boy it is a biting humor. His earlier pieces I enjoyed more. You have to be prepared to laugh and to grimace with discomfort at his writing. "
— Bethgentner, 5/23/2011 -
" Love David Sedaris and especially love listening to him read his own stories. His delivery is hysterical. Couldn't wait to get in the car every morning so I could turn it back on :) Yay for joyful commutes! "
— cristina, 5/21/2011 -
" Laughed out loud! Read this during jury duty - could barely contain myself. "
— Mary, 5/19/2011 -
" This is my first book of David Sedaris. This book is hilarious and I love his style! Will definitely read more of his books. "
— Michelle, 5/19/2011 -
" A unique read. Each chapter is like a short story of its own. What an interesting autobiography-esque read. Somewhat of a dark paradoy, very funny at times. Never seen a book quite like it. "
— Danimau, 5/15/2011 -
" I love how David Sedaris writes, so funny and so wrong at the same time. Great book just like all his other books. "
— Ma800m, 5/15/2011 -
" Very funny, at times philosophical if you let it be. "
— Gage, 5/12/2011 -
" Next to Me Talk Pretty One Day, David Sedaris' best work. Hilarious! "
— Michelle, 5/10/2011 -
" Super funny. Laughed out loud. I like that is was short stories, so it was easy to read in pieces. Really hysterical. Reminded me of me. Same humor. And man, I'm funny. "
— Maigen, 5/10/2011 -
" Absolutely screamingly funny. Another gem. I am now on a mission to read everything he has wrote! "
— Emma, 5/10/2011 -
" Parts of this book were funny, however the majority of it was very crass. Very much like a Saturday Night Live episode, which I think takes a certain kind of sense of humor to enjoy. The kind of sense of humor that I don't particularly have. "
— alysa, 5/4/2011
About David Sedaris
David 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.