Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim

Customer Reviews

Random rantings from a drugged homosexual

The wittiest parts are in the first 3 chapters. Other than that, don't bother. This is the sad story of the product of a dysfunctional, estranged family who has many opportunities through gifts, trusts and other money sources to find his potential, get an education and make his contribution to society. Instead, through drugs, homosexuality and extreme self-absorbtion, he descends into a sad, wasted life. I regret buying this book. Again, don't bother.

A Perfect Palliative to "Lake Wobegon"

I hate NPR.

I hate NPR the way cats hate baths. The way Shaq hates Kobe. The way Michael Moore hates America.

But I love NPR's own David Sedaris the way Joanie loves Chachi.

Ok, well, maybe that's an exaggeration, but not much of one.

This collection of ironic and laugh-till-you're-incontinent essays marks Sedaris' continuing claim on the title of "funniest man in France". Sure, that's not much of an accomplishment these days, but if he'd move back in with his wonderfully-eccentric family, he'd surely be the "funniest man in North Carolina" too.

Some of Sedaris' best and boldest work is in evidence here:

- How his neighbors' celebrating Halloween a day late taught him the meaning of "hate"

- His reminiscences of an all-male sleepover during which he briefly had ultimate power over his fellow teenage boys, power which he promptly abused (and relished abusing)

- The tale of how his family came to be slumlords

- His brother Rooster's redneck wedding

- The funniest Christmas story ever told, entitled (I kid you not) "Six to Eight Black Men"

How good is Sedaris?

Good enough to make me listen to NPR just to hear a comedian at the top of his game.

Made me feel icky

I recently bought Sedaris' Carnegie Hall CD and thought it was hilarious. I am also an enthusiastic fan of This American Life and have loved his many contributions. This book proves that NPR highlights Sedaris' best work and leaves the rest. Unfortunately this is a book mostly of "the rest".

I had a tough time finding any redeeming value in the story of his rickshaw hauling, trash picking sister and her ability to put out cigarettes with her bare feet. I was much more repulsed by the story of his budding homosexuality and the way he was able to coerce young, naked boys to sit on his lap.

If I were to choose one word to describe this book it would be "icky". Skip the ickiness and buy the CD. Or, better yet skip the expense and listen to This American Life. It's free and it's his best material.