Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls, by David Sedaris.
2013, Hachett Audio, read by the author.
Summary:
A collection of humorous essays on everything from French dentistry to Sedaris' rather bizarre childhood. Adult content.
Review:
I like to listen to audio books while working out. This time, I had to stop running a time or two because I was laughing too hard to keep going. Do I really need to say more? No, but of course, I will. (Note, the only other things that have made me laugh out loud in the middle of a workout have been NPR's quiz shows, Wait Wait Don't Tell Me and Says You).
In point of fact, while much of the book was laugh-out-loud funny, a few of these essays were a little squirmy-uncomfortable to listen to, even while being laugh-out-loud funny, notably the ones about his childhood and his youth. Well, most of us would probably do well to forget most of our 20s, so I'll give him credit for at least turning them into something to laugh at. The discomfort with the childhood essays comes from the nature of his family, which to me sounds dysfunctional and even abusive, though Sedaris assures us it wasn't. Not abusive, anyway. But from where I stand. . . wow. I grew up in the same era, though on the other side of the country and in a different socio-economic class, so maybe we saw it a bit differently. I guess if he can laugh at it, so can I.
Despite a few cringe-worthy moments, though, this goes down as one of the funniest books I've read (or listened to, which admittedly probably made it better, since his delivery is great) in a very long time. Sedaris has a keen eye for the absurdity of the human condition, and the gift with language to make it all hilariously clear to us.
Plus: he almost makes me want to get that colonoscopy my doctor keeps nagging me about.
Almost.
Read it, or listen, if you are over the age of consent.
You know, I suddenly realize I found the owls, but don't remember diabetes coming up at all. Did I lose track somewhere? Or is Sedaris kicking back and enjoying another good laugh?
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Full Disclosure: I borrowed Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls from my (online) library, and received nothing from the writer or publisher in
exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed are my own and
those of no one else. I am disclosing this in accordance with the
Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use
of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
