A Modest Bestiary [Audiobook] - Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk

I normally love David Sedaris and his sardonic, sarcastic writing voice, but this one was just a little too dark for me. I also love Ian Falconer's illustrations in my daughter's Olivia books, but something about seeing that talent put to a much more bloody and macabre use was a little unsettling. My least favorite DS book and not one I will keep. I don't need to - some of those illustrations are etched into the backs of my eyeballs forever, thank you very much.

I purchased this book yesterday and have only read about half of the stories but so far I am quite impressed. It is fanciful, distrurbing, satirical and thought-provoking. If you don't "get" the book, check out Aesop's Fables. These stories are parables, allegories and metaphors for human foibles and frailities, using animals as the main characters in all too human situations. You'll meet ducks and toads waiting in line for some sort of government agency, storks discussing where babies come from, and squirrels and chipmunks trying to cross "species lines" and fall in love. The topics are very much in the now and the stories hit home in their quick, decisive and often hilarious plot lines. The story of the squirrel and the chipmunk is so bittersweet and poignant, as is the story of the motherless bear. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for something a little different that will make you think.

David Sedaris' book Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk is hilarious. Not a book for children unless you want to be quick on your feet in changing entire sentences when reading. I can hear his voice when I read from listening to him on NPR doing readings of his works and I just love this book. When I am having a bad week and need a laugh to lighten things up I will pull this one off the shelf.

I am officially not endorsing Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris. It's nothing like his other books and I did not enjoy it. If your a loyal fan and you simply must check it out, do your self a favor and skip to the very last story, "The Grieving Owl," because it really is quite good.

After so much wonderful talk from friends and family about Sedaris's work I was eager to check out this collection of shorts. I have to say it was mostly weird and depressing. Non of the stories have a clear message, except for ones that state obvious facts about the dregs of society. The tongue and cheek humor gave me a few chuckles here and there, but mostly it's just to dark and unfocused to enjoy.

All the fans I've spoken to assure me that this book is a big divergence from his usual work, and I have enough faith in his writing to check out other books, but I don't think any amount of fandom will ever convince me to recommend this particular novel.

Heard him read these before the book itself was published. As usual, his reading, his satire, his insights are brilliant. However, these are not in his usual nonfiction essay style. While still funny, they are much, much darker, I suppose, because it's easier to let that side of yourself go when you're writing about fictional characters instead of your own family and friends.

I still would highly recommend this, however, simply because he's great; I would recommend anything he writes; and it's fun to read something that's a departure from his usual style.

Heard him read these before the book itself was published. As usual, his reading, his satire, his insights are brilliant. However, these are not in his usual nonfiction essay style. While still funny, they are much, much darker, I suppose, because it's easier to let that side of yourself go when you're writing about fictional characters instead of your own family and friends.

I still would highly recommend this, however, simply because he's great; I would recommend anything he writes; and it's fun to read something that's a departure from his usual style.

David Sedaris is my favorite author hands down. I was extremely excited to read his latest book, but then quickly disappointed. I appreciate the new angle in storytelling, however it did seem formulaic. The punchlines got to be predictable as read through each story. I'm usually left wanting more after reading a Sedaris book, but not this time.

This book was hilarious. Perfect for a quick train ride, 15 minutes of reading before bed, or to pass a snowy Saturday. It was absolutely delightful to read. I often found myself laughing histarically while riding the bike at the gym, or on a crowded train. This book didn't dissappoint.

Like Santaland Diaries, this shows Sedaris as his best--weird and outrageous. Sedaris takes his usually snarky view of humanity and voices it via cute animals. If you are expecting Beatrix Potter or Kenneth Grahame, please look elsewhere. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that it didn't put me in tears of laughter (in public) while reading it like Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim did.

I really liked the use of animals as the characters in this book. Sedaris' humor is freshly overlaid in these animals. Each story reminded me of so many humans and human situations in which real live people say and and do really absurd things.

I LOVE his other books. Absolutely love them. I hate this book. I would hate this book no matter who wrote it. But I especially hate it because I love his other books so much and my expectations were so high. I pre-ordered and I was so excited for it to come. Now I have literary blue ba**s (can I say that on the store???) It just makes me sad. I read like 5 of the stories. Do I have to read the rest? Can I get a refund? Oh David Sedaris, you are so talented when you do what you do best- why, why, why did you write this? Did you lose a bet?

I just don't understand what happened here.

Not everyone will get this book. You will either love it or hate it. It's filled with fabulous reminders of moral obligations and how we sometimes forget said obligations. Truly, everyone should read this book. A few stories made me cry. David Sedaris is a genius and I am so very grateful Mike Griffith recommended this book to me. Read it. Share it with your friends.

Even if you love previous works of David Sedarius, I have most of them and love almost all of them...you probably won't like this. He is very nasty about fat people in this one and it's just not as good as earlier writing.

After looking forward to this book, to the point of pre-ordering both a Kindle and print version, I was struck by the extreme change in tone of Mr. Sedaris in this book. Gone was the biting satire, the laugh-out-loud humor and heartfelt and touching writing style. The three stories that I actually made it through were some of the most bitter, angry prose I have ever read. There is a clear commentary on the current state of social dynamics here (in my opinion), but the images that arise out of this prose are much too dark, much too disturbing and angry for my taste. I shall pass along this book to friends who might receive its voice in better humor. I fear that I cannot recommend this book, and shall return to read the author's earlier works while I ponder what hurt Mr. Sedaris has suffered to prompt such disturbing text.

I was looking forward to reading this book because I like David Sedaris and I like animals, but I was disappointed. I felt that the stories were too dark to be whimsical and that the illustrations were lacking in appeal as well.

I read this book quickly and found each little morsel to be more twisted than the next. I saw him speak last time he was in Chicago and he read samples of some of these stories that went over great with the crowd. The low star reviews are confusing to me; what don't you get? He's transposing all the human issues we deal with on a daily basis to the animal world, where it's a bit more violent...and real. Mr. Sedaris is a riot and I could immediately relate to the ideas he wrote about. Open your mind and you may as well. And, about kids reading his books... really?

I have all his books. I really enjoy reading them as they are very funny in a smart way. I have to admit I didn't get this one at all. It was dark and disturbing at times (story with the bear who lost her mother). I wonder what he tried to do/communicate with this book. It was a waste of money. If you like his previous books, don't buy this one.

His imagination and humor are absolutely unique. The animals here have the same foibles, personalities and misgivings as humans do. They'd be great stories to tell kids, minus the vulgar parts. I hope he writes another.

THESE LITTLE STORIES USE ANIMALS TO MAKE WITTY, INSIGHTFUL, SARCASTIC, AND HILARIOUS COMMENTS ABOUT HUMAN EXPERIENCE. MY FAVORITE IS THE STORK TELLING HER CHILD HOW BABIES ARRIVE, WELL, HER IDEA OF FAKE. I WENT AROUND READING THESE OUT LOUD TO ANYONE WHO WOULD LISTEN. HIS PIECES IN THE NEW YORKER ARE GOOD, OF COURSE, IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

One should be very careful about who reads this book! If children are allowed to read it they will gain insight into the foolishness of adults. Adults reading it will be embarrassed by the shortnesses and weaknesses of Adults. And everyone reading it could be exposing themselves to uncontrollable laughter and delight. This is a very dangerous book!

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary

I love David Sedaris and was sure this book would be decent even with all the negative reviews. Unfortunately I didn't really enjoy it, I understand what he was doing with the kid like animal stories, but it just didn't make me laugh or provide much insight. It just made me feel unpleasant without any gain. Too bad.

Knowing David Sedaris' previous work, I was expecting something hilarious. I was deeply dissappointed! This book was NOT FUNNY at all. It was completely STUPID and I am kicking myself for buying it in the first place. Didn't even finish it. Wish I could return and get my money back (at least that's an advantage of buying a real book). Do not waste your time or money on this book.
:(

I get the uniqueness of the project, and the social commentary, but this really isn't David's best work. Just kind of trite, negative, and predictable. I'll forever be a fan, and look forward to his next project.

Sedaris hits the mark once again with Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk. Thee fables are all at once funny, sad, and twisted. Sedaris has amazing insight into the human psyche, and when he foists those human traits onto forest animals, the results are hysterical. Ian Falconer's illustrations are the perfect match to the quite often bizarre text.