Last week, my mama's book club met on our latest pick, Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris. I may have been one of only a few book club members who had not read Sedaris in the past, so naturally having heard he was quite brilliant + very funny, I was anxious to read this newest collection of short stories. 
Brilliant? Without a doubt. Funny? Well, this particular book was more of a black comedy. Sedaris used animals to tell tales that could have easily have been applied to our human lives. For example the Baboon hairdresser, forever putting her foot in her mouth as she does the Cat's hair. Or the Chipmunk, who is left spending the rest of her days wondering after the Squirrel she had dated...her family having forced the issue of her severing ties with him because they "weren't in the same league". Each story was really a "Call Out" of sorts...probably Sedaris' observations of the worst of human kind. Our pretentions, prejudices...our flaws. Most of the stories were kind of on the creepy side and I found that the stories where I could identify with one of the "animals" were a bit more haunting?
Brilliant? Without a doubt. Funny? Well, this particular book was more of a black comedy. Sedaris used animals to tell tales that could have easily have been applied to our human lives. For example the Baboon hairdresser, forever putting her foot in her mouth as she does the Cat's hair. Or the Chipmunk, who is left spending the rest of her days wondering after the Squirrel she had dated...her family having forced the issue of her severing ties with him because they "weren't in the same league". Each story was really a "Call Out" of sorts...probably Sedaris' observations of the worst of human kind. Our pretentions, prejudices...our flaws. Most of the stories were kind of on the creepy side and I found that the stories where I could identify with one of the "animals" were a bit more haunting?*************
A worthwhile read...the short stories make it an ideal bathroom book. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself shaking your head in thought each time you leave the loo!
Happy Reading.
A worthwhile read...the short stories make it an ideal bathroom book. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself shaking your head in thought each time you leave the loo!
Happy Reading.
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The next book club pick will be Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte...so looking foward to this AND to the girls night out to the recently released movie!
I am a HUGE Sedaris fan! Can't wait to read this one. It sounds intriguing.
ReplyDelete@Alicia
ReplyDeleteOh, it is!
I think my next Sedaris will be Naked...heard really good things about that one!