Naked

When I typed the title for this entry, I was reminded of the sign on a mechanic's shop in Auburn: "Sex! (Now that we've got your attention...)". But I promise my title is not a ploy.

NAKED by David Sedaris is a collection of memoirs, arranged a bit sporadically, each peppered with raw wit. I wish that I could say that it was a fabulous book. A student in Read For Yourself recommended it and insisted that I read one of Sedaris' books, so I did. Maybe it is telling that I started the book in the fall and have just closed the cover for the last time. It took me forever to read!

The beginning of the book was a great introduction to Sedaris' voice, to his humor, to his family (the center of all things for him, it seems). I was drawn in by the laughter I could hear through words printed on a page. But he lost me in the middle. While I plowed through the first three chapters, I stalled unceremoniously in the interim, coming back only at the end, when I saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Sadly, this is not a tunnel I plan to traverse again.

The writing was not particularly illuminating. He rarely shed light on issues in a way that appealed to me. And, as I write that, I think, "This book is not written for me." And I know that I am right.

That said, I did like this bit:

"My hands tend to be full enough dealing with people who hate me for who I am. Concentrate too hard on the millions who hate you for what you are and you're likely to turn into one of those unkempt, sloppy dressers who sag beneath the weight of the two hundred political buttons they wear pinned to their coats and knapsacks. I haven't got the slightest idea how to change people, but still I keep a long list of prospective candidates just in case I should ever figure it out.

I would recommend Sedaris because I know he has reached a lot of readers. He may not be the right fit for you, but I'm glad I gave him a shot.

Happy reading!