When You Are Engulfed in Flames
by David Sedaris
Published by Hatchette Book Group USA
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Reviewed by Lauren Segelbaum
In an interview with David Sedaris on the book’s website the interviewer asks Mr. Sedaris, “How do you describe yourself as an author to someone who has never read your books before?” Mr. Sedaris answers quite simply, “Do you know what narcissist means?”
I am one of these well-read individuals who have never read a David Sedaris book. I received When in Engulfed in Flames to review around my birthday and knew instinctively I was receiving a gift. I quickly learned two things about this gifted author’s books. Number one: be careful about reading them in public because some of his essays will make you laugh out loud so hard you will embarrass yourself. Number two: you don’t have to finish this book in one sitting. Savor the writing and read one every few days or simply at your own pace.
I did have to enlist a few friends who are David Sedaris junkies and get a quick update on his family and friends. I knew Amy Sedaris was his sister but didn’t know that Hugh was his partner. My friend gave me a quick rundown of his family, where David has been living and a quick analysis of his mother and father. That was all I needed to be instantly hooked and part of an elite group of David Sedaris followers.
There were some essays I found tedious such as “That’s Amore.” This essay tells the story of the love/hate relationship between David and his elderly neighbor Helen. At 27 pages long, I found myself saying out loud, “I’ve heard enough.” He is so quick witted you want to stop him before he gets unfunny.
The essay in his book that literally brought me to tears was, “The Understudy.” Back in the day, parents would go out of town and leave their children with practically strangers. Nowadays we do FBI background checks before leaving a kid with a babysitter while we run to Target. Sedaris describes this experience of being left with a stranger while his parents were on vacation with such humor and absurdity you are left with the sensation of: did that really happen. Yes of course it did and that is why this book is so funny.
Armchair Interviews says: Sly and quiet humor you expect from Sedaris.
Author’s Web site: http://www.WhenYouAreEngulfedinFlames.com