Leopold,+Haley

= = = = =Me Talk Pretty One Day = =David Sedaris (2000) = ==

**Destiny Review **
David Sedaris is overflowing with wit in his hilarious memoir, //Me Talk Pretty One Day.// He comically retells a collection of his life's greatest achievements, failures, and mediocre events in a way that captures every reader. Sedaris is capable of turning even the most simplest of moments into a story one can laugh out loud to. The amount of dialogue and description varies throughout the essay collection. On the other hand, Sedaris expertly develops each and every one of his characters. Even many of the minor characters are unforgettable because of the images and actions he attaches to them. Overall, Sedaris's work of personal non-fiction successfully pulls all of its little details together into one pleasing piece.

Basic Content
David Sedaris presents specific events in his life through his collection of non-fiction essays, //Me Talk Pretty One Day.// The book is divided into two parts; the first focuses on Sedaris's childhood and early adult life, and the second centers mostly on his move to France when he has no prior experience with the language. Each chapter is a different day (or time period). Surprisingly, Sedaris is able to explain things such as his early drug addiction, homosexuality, and family issues with obvious humor and wit.

Author Information
David Sedaris was born on December 26, 1956. He is not only a writer, but a comedian, radio contributor, and playwright as well; his sister is a well known actress, Amy Sedaris. His first published collection of essays and short stories was called //SantaLand Diaries// (1992), but //Naked// (1997) is one of his most well known pieces. He is also known for his prominent humor and language, and, by that, I mean curses.

Analysis of Style
The title, //Me Talk Pretty One Day//, comes from a section of the book, in which Sedaris recalls French lessons he took in order to learn the language. It also reiterates the theme of miscommunication. Every chapter begins with a relatable topic that sparks the reader's interest, which ultimately leads to the theme of that particular story or recollection. Each essay has a creative title, which is also used to catch the audience's attention. Sedaris expertly develops his characters with silly but memorable details that stick with the reader even after the story has altered its course. Ultimately, the essays do not flow. They are only organized chronologically, not according to how they relate. Sedaris's tone can be described as poking fun at his own life and experiences; it is light and witty.

Book Reviews
"In addition to his self-deprecation, Sedaris also seems to have no shame: he's the sort of writer who will share with the world the kind of embarrassing moments, silly desires, and brain farts that most of us would never cop to. The sort of writer who makes you think “How did he //know // ?” Or outrageous anecdotes that asymptotically approach our own lives, so close you could reach out conceptually and touch them." (Ben).

<span style="color: #605757; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">"He may not have the vicious bite of other US satirists such as Joe Queenan or PJ O'Rourke, but he is excellent company and relentlessly good-natured. His sophistication is spiked with self-doubt, and his insouciance has a tremor of the unhinged. As his French hairdresser put it, "Get over here and listen to what he's saying, the crazy nut." ("Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris").

"Though Sedaris does contribute to the New Yorker, he is not, like his famed forebears, an urbane cocktail-party curmudgeon. He, too, examines the ridiculousness of those around him, but he does it with affectionate curiosity and not a jot of shame about his own mischievous weirdness; he comes across as equal parts Perelman and Pee-wee Herman." (Villepique).

**<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Work Cited **
<span style="color: #605757; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #605757; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 24px;">Ben. "Me Talk Pretty One Day." Rev. of //Me Talk Pretty One Day//, by David Sedaris. //A Modern Construct//. Creative Commons, 2001. Web. 17 May 2010. < <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">[]>.

"Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris." Rev. of Me Talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris. //The Independent: Books//. independent.co.uk, 10 Feb. 2010. Web. 17 May 2010. <[]>.

Sedaris, David. Me Talk Pretty One Day. New York: Hachette Book Group USA, 2001. Print.

Villepique, Greg. "'Me Talk Pretty One Day' by David Sedaris." Rev. of Me Talk Pretty One Day, by David Sedaris. //Salon//. Salon Media Group, 2010. Web. 17 May 2010. < []>.