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The Best of Me

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About this listen

 What could be a more tempting Christmas gift than a compendium of David Sedaris's best stories, selected by the author himself? From a spectacular career spanning almost three decades, these stories have become modern classics and are now for the first time collected in one volume.

For more than twenty-five years, David Sedaris has been carving out a unique literary space, virtually creating his own genre. A Sedaris story may seem confessional, but is also highly attuned to the world outside. It opens our eyes to what is at absurd and moving about our daily existence. And it is almost impossible to read without laughing.

Now, for the first time collected in one volume, the author brings us his funniest and most memorable work. In these stories, Sedaris shops for rare taxidermy, hitchhikes with a lady quadriplegic, and spits a lozenge into a fellow traveler's lap. He drowns a mouse in a bucket, struggles to say 'give it to me' in five languages and hand-feeds a carnivorous bird.

But if all you expect to find in Sedaris's work is the deft and sharply observed comedy for which he became renowned, you may be surprised to discover that his words bring more warmth than mockery, more fellow-feeling than derision. Nowhere is this clearer than in his writing about his loved ones. In these pages, Sedaris explores falling in love and staying together, recognizing his own aging not in the mirror but in the faces of his siblings, losing one parent and coming to terms - at long last - with the other.

Taken together, the stories in The Best of Me reveal the wonder and delight Sedaris takes in the surprises life brings him. No experience, he sees, is quite as he expected - it's often harder, more fraught and certainly weirder - but sometimes it is also much richer and more wonderful.

Full of joy, generosity, and the incisive humor that has led David Sedaris to be called 'the funniest man alive' (Time Out New York), The Best of Me spans a career spent watching and learning and laughing - quite often at himself - and invites readers deep into the world of one of the most brilliant and original writers of our time.©2020 David Sedaris Parenting & Families Nonfiction Funny Feel-Good Heartfelt Witty Thought-Provoking Winter Christmas Cats

Critic reviews

For the past couple of decades, David Sedaris has more or less created his own genre, with his confessional stories that reveal both the absurdity and the emotion of everyday life. His funniest and most incisive work is now brought together in one volume
A whirlwind tour of this genius writer's greatest hits
The ideal introduction for anyone not yet acquainted with the American master of deadpan autobiographical comedy. Sedaris selects highlights from his three decades of making readers and listeners laugh, wince and sob at the weirdness and wonder of other people
Dipping into David Sedaris's mind in his wonderful collected works The Best of Me has been a balm and a joy
All stars
Most relevant
Funny, clever, quirky. A joy to listen to. Brilliantly narrated by the author. I love David Sedaris!

Excellent

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I’ve been a fan of David Sedaris for a while and so was happy to find a collection he’d selected himself here. I’d heard some of the chapters before but was happy to experience them again. His essays are brutally honest. I love the fact that he can’t seem to hold anything back including his own bad behaviour. He admits the things most people never would and wraps it all in a sometimes dark, sometimes laugh at loud cloak of humour. I didn’t always find this easy to listen to (particularly the pieces about his sister) but the fact that I pushed through to find out what happens next is testimony to Sedaris’ story telling credentials. It made me think about my relationship with my own family as well as some of my own life choices. I’m sure that wasn’t his intention, but for me it’s a sign of a good book. If you want something light and fluffy then you should probably avoid this. But if you’re up for a journey through fables and diaries from a unique writer then have a listen.

Brutally funny

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David Sedalia is a master craftsman. Each beautifully observed essay or story is exquisitely polished. His delegation very is spot on and I cannot fault this compilation of some of his finest work. The interview at the end is worth the price in itself. A must for anyone who enjoys his thoughtful, moving and often hilarious prose.

Witty and beautifully crafted

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Awesome book for everyone who loves David . Interview at the end is also good and interesting about his writing process . Just love his books and you won’t be disappointed.

Best of David

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I have never come across a David Sedaris story I didn't love. If I had to pick a favourite it might be Solution to Saturday's Puzzle. Hilarious. The comedy timing and gentle insight is nothing short of genius and it is the perfect short story. I often feel thankful for the shared snippets that paint the author in an imperfect light, showing his humanity and making me, the reader, feel better about my own.

Touching, funny, brilliant.

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