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| When You Are Engulfed in Flames | 
 enlarge | Author: David Sedaris
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Category: Book
List Price: $25.99
Buy New: $13.53
You Save: $12.46 (48%)
New (76) Used (32) Collectible (17) from $12.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  257 reviews
Sales Rank: 94
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 336
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.7 x 1.2
ISBN: 0316143472
Dewey Decimal Number: 814.54
EAN: 9780316143479
ASIN: 0316143472
Publication Date: June 3, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand new item. Over 4 million customers served. Order now. Selling online since 1995. Few left in stock - order soon. Code: H20081114205835T
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| Customer Reviews:
Not his best, but still fantastic November 18, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Once again, Sedaris manages to plumb the depths of his adolescence and later life to turn the minutiae and absurdity of life into comedic genius. It's not as good as some of his earlier stuff, but you'll still walk away happy you read it.
If you like Sedaris, you like Sedaris November 14, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
David Sedaris is without a doubt the most talented essayist in the country and the fact that he's also the most famous is not so much a validation of American taste as it is a validation of the Gevalia Kaffe/Sunday New York Times/All Things Considered/This American Life Podcast crowd. Good job! They're good at picking humorists and squeezing African-Americans out of Harlem.
Personally I prefer to read Sedaris than listen to audio tapes. His voice, I think, actual detracts from the situations. As in previous books When You Are Engulfed in Flames creates unbelievable, and in some instances unsympathetic, situations but Sedaris performs the literary magic trick of bringing you along for the ride. His voice, however, is so specific that it detaches me from the opiatic experience of walking in this talented man's shoes.
Also, as with previous essays, I believe he's at least 70% full of crap. But who cares? It's amusing crap.
 Sedaris's best yet November 11, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I am familiar with several David Sedaris' works and I enjoy his occasional New York column. Most of which are extremely enjoyable to read (I didn't care for Barrel Fever). This book contains many short stories from David's life, written in a very relatable and humorous manner. David's works are some of the easiest reads I've ever encountered, and his candor is really disarming. Reading his stories makes me feel like I know his family personally, and the writing all the more endearing because of it.
Anybody who has ever thought their family was strange should read this book. People who can appreciate the minor quirks in ourselves and others will appreciate this book. Folks who enjoy a series of funny stories that will have you eagerly flipping the pages as you cackle with delight should buy this book.
Sedaris; Just what you expect. November 9, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
David is in top form again for this collection of comic essays. Not his best, but still very good!
Sedaris Delivers a Hilarious Must-Have! November 4, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
As always, Sedaris delivers. This book is hilarious in its oddities while simultaneously sparking something in you that says, "That's totally happened to me." Sedaris finds a way to take the mundane and make it laugh out loud funny. His quirky personality makes him just the right amount of crazy to keep us on his side and completely "engulfed" in his stories.
This book will not disappoint. And if it does... you might want to get your head checked.
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