Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim

What Sedaris does so well is to show his audience pictures. He doesn't just tell you about his family and the way he views them, he describes them so well that I found myself added to the story. I'm not actually in the book, but I felt ghostly close to the events that took place. I watched from the basement as he tells the other boys "It's against my religion to play poker." I find myself in the backseat of the car as his mother asked "Do you want me to give you a ride back to your little shantytown?" Sedaris's humor is dry and sarcastic. He preys on the ignorance of others and himself, finding no person to sacred that they avoid his story pictures.

The book is separated into 22 different short stories, ranging from his childhood to his midlife. The stories have no particular unifying theme, just glimpses into the David Sedaris experience, many which include his family. Most of the book's situations are treated light heartedly, with a dysfunctional undertone. What Sedaris does so well is to keep the reader interested. I wanted to find out why the man in "Blood Work" feels the need to masturbate on the couch while Sedaris vacuums the man's living room. Who wouldn't want to keep reading when a story starts of with "I was on the front porch, drowning a mouse in a bucket when this van pulled up, which was strange." Sedaris's writing style is one where he passes off abnormal situations as typical and changes ordinary ones to insane.

The downside to his writing is that sometimes he is too hard on himself and the reader gets the feeling that he just may not like himself very much. If only Sedaris could see himself as I do, a true artist, who paints pictures in the minds of the readers that will last a lifetime.

okay, i loved most of this book. sedaris is, in my opinion, the best essay writer of our era. what i loved about "DENIM" was how, as children, the author and his sisters knew the theraputic value of a good cry. hilarious. and the brother paul is just an all-too-familar slice of suburban life. but all the mention of sweat... ick... c'mon, just creepy. nonetheless, i will happily be passing this book on to a certain suburban mother of a ten year-old boy with vase full of cat tails (pg 165) in his room (and possibly scotchguarded drapes). maybe she'll finally get it.

Sedaris has a habit of making me laugh out loud. His quirky nature and that of his family come bubbling out of the pages at you, you'll find it hard not to at least crack a smile. I broke down and bought the hardcover of this book before getting on the plane, and instead of sleeping during an international flight, I was absorbed in Sedaris-world, much to my delight.

As much as I enjoyed this, if you are only now beginning to read Sedaris, I would suggest my all-time favorite of his first, ME TALK PRETTY ONE DAY. This book will introduce you to the people who play a role in his life, plus, in my opinion, it is funnier.

Also, if you have never heard him read, it is well worth it to get something of his on audio book. Hearing these stories in his voice is delightful.

This book was a big disappointment. I became a huge fan of Sedaris' work after reading "Naked" and "Me Talk Pretty One Day." Both those books were hilarious and, sometimes, even touching. After thoroughly enjoying his prior work, I anxiously awaited his next. Unfortunately, "Dress Your Family" does not even come close to the standard set by his earlier books.

In this book, instead coming across as the witty, insightful goof that often says what most of us wish we could 1) actually think of to say; and 2) have the nerve to say, he now comes across as just negative, petty, and bitter. Unlike his prior books, I did not find myself agreeing with Sedaris' insights, but instead feeling more like I just wanted to shake him and tell him to stop being negative and such a jerk. In his earlier books Sedaris came across as a man who loves his family but is able to point out there various quirks. In this book, he is so negative about everything regarding his family, it really does not appear he likes them very much and that they do not like him.

Moreover, whereas Sedaris previous gave us humorous insights into his family -- to such a degree the reader could actually feel as though he was a part of Sedaris' family or at least that he likes Sedaris' family -- in "Dress Your Family" Sedaris' focus on the negative becomes just depressing and provides none of the warm, fuzzy feelings about his family. When Sedaris writes about his mother's dying, his sister-in-law's inability to have additional children, his sister's inability to hold a job, the reader does not laugh along with his family, but instead just gets bummed out.

A couple of the stories in the book are still quite funny -- "Six to Eight Black Men" for example -- but as a whole, the book was not funny. I did actually laugh out loud several times while reading "Naked" and "Me Talk Pretty." Such was not the case with "Dress Your Family." Perhaps Sedaris has already used up all his amusing life stories in his earlier works and all that are left are the downers.

My advice, read his earlier work. THAT work you will enjoy. I doubt you will enjoy this book.

I have read/recommended every book that Sedaris has written. "Barrel Fever" started my love affair with him, and I haven't been disappointed with "Naked" or "Me Talk Pretty One Day" either. The thing I love most about his writing technique is that you can go from laughing out loud one minute to feeling really touched by the end of the chapter. I LOVED his personal experiences growing up. I was born and raised in North Carolina, and to hear about growing up there from a transplant's perspective was hysterical. It also never ceases to amaze me that when you're sitting on a beach or by a pool and have someone spot you reading one of his book's an immediate conversation will begin about how wonderful he is and a recommendation will inevitably come your way about anyone who has read his series. I haven't met an author that could inspire any of that before.

Dress Your Family was the second of Sedaris' books that I read. I absolutely LOVE this book. The great thing about Sedaris' writing is that his stories are both laugh out loud funny as well as personal and touching.

Some of my favorite stories from this book would have to be "Rooster at the Hitchin' Post" and "Baby Einstein". I think Sedaris is at his peak when he writes about his wacky family and I find those stories the most enjoyable. I think that the stand out story in this book, though is "6 to 8 Black Men". The first time I heard that story, I was in tears from laughing. No matter how many times I hear it, I still crack up every time.

If you are a Sedaris fan, this is a definite MUST read. However, if you have not read any of Sedaris' books before, I suggest you start with Me Talk Pretty One Day, as I feel that book is a better introduction.

David Sedaris has always been one of my favorite writers. He is by far the wittiest individual I have become "aquainted with". I am so excited that he has suceeded in publishing another collection of autobiographical situations, circumstances, and events. I laugh out loud everytime I read his works and have found his book on CD an excellent complimentary masterpiece. Sedaris is smart, funny, and utterly honest. Someone once told me to write well, you must write about what you know. And David really knows!

I found this book to be nothing like Sedaris's previous work. There are funny essays, and I often laughed out loud. The usual crowd will chat about it and list it as "one of my all-time favorite books." Beyond that, essays like "Who's the Chef" and "The Girl Next Door" seem to me to be the real heavy-hitting ones in the book. I think Sedaris is getting a lot more interesting and complex. I look forward to his next book but am confident that if he continues to be more than just "funny" his rank on the sales list will drop rapidly. Too bad.

Another excellent book by David Sedaris. I couldn't put it down until I finished. Anyone who truly understands his humor could in no way be dissapointed by this book. The hilarious stories of his family give you a more personal look into his life. While the stories are amusing, at the same time you're able to see how much he truly cares for his family--despite all their visible flaws. The humor in his writing is matched by few. Definitely an enjoyable read.

My first exposure to David Sedaris was Barrel Fever, which I must have read nearly six or seven years ago. To this day, the imagery still springs immediately to mind of the middle class woman whose place in the household is usurped by the Asian housekeeper but still manages a cheery tone in the ubiquitous yearly holiday greeting letter; the bitter suicide who includes paperweights as mementos at her funeral and admonishes the attendees to use them to smite her ex- and his new girlfriend; and the little "o" that people's mouths make when they're told that their Christmas pictures with Santa will arrive in October of the next year.

Similar hilarity ensued in Naked and Me Talk Pretty One Day. As a fellow French student, the idea that Mr. Sedaris bought everything in quantities of more than one to avoid learning the gender of nouns just kills me. In fact, in reading that story on the metro, I almost suffocated from laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. I can imagine Hugh's face as he scans the rotting produce on their kitchen counter because of Mr. Sedaris' avoidance of the singular.

Thus, I eagerly opened DYFICAD, only to find that many of the stories I had already read in other publications--they were simply recycled material. Even if he is the "laziest man in showbiz", he shouldn't hoard his talent. He is truly the master of the dysfunctional when I consider the comparisons I could make between the wacky escapades of my family and those of his. C'mon, Fairy Poppins! Let your genius shine in your next offering.

I've never read a David Sedaris book that I didn't like. Me Talk Pretty One day has to be the funniest book ever written, followed by Naked and then Barrel Fever. But Dress Your Family is also very good. The problem for me is that it seemed to be in a totally different category from those other books. Sure, it's funny, hilarious even, but there's a dark undercurrent to this latest work and while it doesn't detract from the overall enjoyment, it does place this book on a different level. I actually enjoyed Dress Your Family more I think, than Me Talk Pretty, simply because it went somewhere I wasn't expecting. As with all of Sedaris's works, you can't go wrong. While they guy is definitely appreciated now, I think that in ten or twenty years we're really going to see his status elevated to genius.

I was laughing out loud at the first several chapters. The author writes with a natural and flowing style that brings to life a childhood filled with the kind of everyday bumps and spills that are both hopeful and sad at the same time.
This is a book that goes everywhere and nowhere. While the family and situations are depicted with a harsh reality that grabs the reader, and hooks you into the emotion, by the end of the book you are simply glad it is not your life. I found it ultimately to be just depressing. The childhood scenes are wonderful, but the promise of the future contained within is never fulfilled. Realistic I suppose, but not a lot of fun to read about.
No question that David is a talented writer, and has a great style, but I guess I missed the point here. 5 stars for a wonderfully written book, but minus a few for the fact that the book really doesn't go anywhere except to jab at anything doesn't fully embrace the lost and meaningless lifestyle depicted here.

I am now beginning to realize that this fellow is making quite a living writing about nothing but random musings, some mostly rather inconsequencial events in his life and managing to keep the level of entertainment at a mildly amusing consistency. this is his style, this is his book, this is everything he writes. if you can take churning away the hours with pages and pages of particularly meaningless scratch, then this is the book for you. But if you would like to be enlightened by a sincere and elemental world of wonder, interest and order, then stay in that line of folks waiting for Dan Brown to autograph your copy of the "Code." You know that line I'm talking about...that LONG line. Lucky for me that I'm the type of person who uses both legs to stand in TWO lines.
That is to say, Sedaris is SO not for everyone. His books waste time. They lend no real insight toward bettering the mind or the world. All they do is depict what the world is like for a gay obsessive compulsive with too much of himself on his mind and, as I have mentioned before about today's white writers, a loving penchant for parading the n-word around like it's shakespeare prose. I've read two of his books and he hasn't failed with it yet. I plan on getting more of the same when I read more of what he has written.
Because I will read more of his work. He tells a fine story about mundane things that never make you lose interest. One of my favorite pieces in "Dress Your Family..." is more or less about worms that didn't make it to space in the "Challenger" shuttle. There is also a funny story about the existence of Santa Claus in a remote country as he prances around towns giving presents to people with his six to eight black friends.
My personal fortress of solitude is the bathroom. That is pretty much the one place, or should be the one place, anyone gets any real, personal time alone. I cherish the very existence of the bathroom, so saying that I kept Sedaris' novel in there for me to read during visits is by no means a stain, so to speak, on his work. It could actually be considered flattering. Some of it is toilet humor anyway.

The cover art drew my attention to this book at my local public library many years ago. I am so glad I checked it out that day, because David Sedaris became one of my favorite authors quickly after opening this book! I read his other books working backwards after I finished this one, but "Dress Your Family..." remains my favorite! Recommend Highly!

This book, and I assume the rest of the author's work, is enjoyable primarily for it's informal style, and seemingly obvious although rare deducation that focus on heroism or tragedy isn't necessary for interesting memoir writing. Although it was more often entertaining than not the book still left me thinking that if more people wrote books like this Sedaris would probably not be a frontrunner in the genre. 3½ stars.

While this book is still humorous in its own right, it doesn't quite parallel his previous work Me Talk Pretty One Day. His childhood antics, though sometimes disturbing, give insight into the world of non-conventional nuclear families. Dave Sedaris's coming-of-age is expressed in such a way that makes even the most liberal family shocked at some of his family's daily routines. This shows the America that you don't see on TV: what goes wrong with vacation homes, what happens when you're nice to your neighbor, the kind of respect received by elderly family members, and why kids are uncomfortable at sleepovers. All of this non-conventional upbringing culminates in Sedaris's moving to France, and what his new countrymen think of him. While Sedaris tries desperately not to be like any of his family members, he learns he is inevitably bound by blood to be crazy like the rest of them. What makes this collection of vignettes fun to read is the humor we're glad we can't relate to.

Sedaris's newest collection, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, is an odd mix of tales from a witty personality. The most humorous of this selection are the stories where he describes events from his youth. The main source of the hiliarity comes from his ability to create and to tell of scenarioswhich the reader can relate to their own life. He tells of picking on the youngest sibling in order to get revenge against an angry mother during a snow day. This is just one example of his tales.

One major downfall of this collection is his later stories seem to drag on and carry no true point. They lack the wit and character of that makes Sedaris such a loveable author. Also, some of his commentary on his own thoughts and sexuality leave the reader feeling that he may be dealing with some deep insecurities. Yet, all in all, it is a good collection of stories to keep around the house and read in small doses.

Another David Sedaris gem! I really enjoy his wit and humor. In reading some of his other books I have been introduced to some of his siblings and in this book I meet more, learning about their personalities and habits. After reading one of his books I am now working on reading them all. They're addictive!

All in all, this is excellent material - highly entertaining, a bit edgy, and sometimes dark while maintaining a sense of humor. My only issue is that once you have read some of Sedaris' work, it can be difficult to find fresh new stuff. I'm not certain if the stories in Corduroy and Denim are exact replicas of those released in his previous books, but they sure seem very familiar. If you have read "Naked," "Me Talk Pretty One Day," and "Holidays on Ice," save yourself some money and just borrow this one from the library. If you are new to Sedaris, by all means, get this book, his work is not to be skipped.

This was the first Sedaris book I've ever read (actually, I listened to the CD), and I was impressed. I thought his word play and way of describing normal situations so abnormally really separtes him from most humorists. As a writer, I loved the way he could use the English language. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
That said, the structure of this book is very difficult to follow, and the unifying theme is difficult to nail down. For all of his linguistic success, Sedarisdid not organize this book very well, and I often had difficulty understanding what the point was in the first place. This was not helped by the fact that some stories seemed completely random and out of place in this book. Another complaint I have is about his voice. While I don't fault him for this (he obviously can't help it), I found his monotone, nasally somewhat annoying. This could have been a much more entertaining Audio CD if it had been read by someone with a more appropriate voice. I admit, however, that others love his voice and probably will love the way he reads the book, so take it for what it's worth.

A Curious collection of stories and musing drawn from the life of David Sedaris. This book is equal parts biography, social commentary, and comedy. Each story is couched in Sedaris's dry, occasionally biting humor which make the book extremely readable and profoundly human at the same time. Funny, poignant, sarcastic, and contemplative; this book refuses to be categorized and never fails to entertain. I look forward to reading more from Sedaris in the future. A quick read...well worth the time.

there's a matter of delivery. when i read mr. sedaris' writing, i can't help myself feeling that i'm missing a certain essence of the story. when i listen to him read, i get the 3-D stereo surround effect. he's a wicked writer, love the book as i loved other books of his, but it's just that he's a whole lot better when he reads. and he's even 100 miles better when he's on live, when you get the full effect of the interaction. he's one very rare author that i rather listen on CD than read, funny that, ain't it?

I just finished Mr. Sedaris' new book and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I simply love reading his work. His writing is simple, detailed, hysterically funny, sad, moving, loving...the list goes on and on.
One minute you will be laughing out loud to the point where you have to put the book down for a minute (I know I did) and in the next you will undoubtedly feel his writing tugging at your heart (it definitely tugged at mine).
Mr. Sedaris moves from the absurd to the self-deprecating to the hysterically funny to the sad to the inspired to the poignant with such thoughtful nuance that it's difficult not to fall under his spell.
Highly recommended!

Yeah, this book is a bit more sensitive. In fact, I found myself "sighing" after a couple of the chapters and thinking, wow that was a really tender moment or the people had some profound self revelations on that one. But most of the chapters are in the same wacky tradition of David Sedaris's earlier work. Secretly, I wanted more insanity though... The poker story with his childhood friends make up for this--it's my favorite one, I fell out of bed laughing.

Dark,dark humor. Whether the central character is anything like the author, I do not know, but a few pages in he seems more real and familiar than some of the people I see regularly. He is so well drawn that the outrageous events described seem not only believable but inevitable. It is a book that bears reading many times. Would have given it more stars, but then how would I rate War and Peace?

David Sedaris is probably one of my favorite writers. He manages to make situations that are just plain odd into wonderful stories that make me laugh every time I read any of them. There are times where certain events seem very unlikely but they only add to the hilarity and they aren't crazy enough to take away from the main idea. The poker game scene seems a bit embellished along with a few others although I absolutely loved reading every story. The little side notes he adds in about what's happening are wonderfully placed. The way he presents the material in the book always makes me want to read more. The only time I could make myself stop reading was after a story had ended. This story focuses a lot on his dysfunctional family and it is scary that he considers himself the normal one. I loved the variety of stories and situations he chooses to express such different people and events in his life. His use of subtext is flawless and makes the reader feel smart and like they're in on one of his secrets when they pick up on it. His story about the "popular crowd" and his dad was hysterical. No matter how awkward or risqué a topic he's talking about might be, he always finds a way to mention it politely or add a funny spin on it. The story about not wanting to share his Halloween candy is something everyone who ever went trick-or-treating can relate to and that's why it was so funny. It was during that scene in which I received many glares from Starbucks patrons as I laughed out loud to myself. This book was absolutely fantastic and I would highly recommend reading it, especially if you enjoyed any of his other books.

I wish I could have given this book three and one-half stars instead of three. Barring that, I couldn't bring myself to round up to the nearest star and give it four. This is a quick read, as are most of Mr. Sedaris's works, but it definitely is not as edgy as some of his earlier efforts. However, the author seems to have matured in some respects: he is more willing to delve into darker topics without making them a vehicle for sarcasm, and more willing to view people and situations with ambiguity. Both of these qualities work to blunt the incisive wit one expects from David Sedaris. This book was less laugh-out-loud, but you may come away appreciating the depth of feeling and hints of genuine frustration with his family that are all-so-real. On that note I must add that his brother, Paul, comes off as one of the most wretched, annoying, and crass individuals I have ever had the misfortune to meet on paper. The bit with the dogs was especially nasty - too much information - and, given what any semi-educated person living in the Western World with a pulse should know about how disease is spread, and the decency with which we should always aspire to treat animals, particulary our pets, Paul does not seem like the idiot-savant the author would humorously have us believe, but a man who lacks any redeeming qualities and is genuinely worth not getting to know.

This is a fantastic book and enjoyable to read. The author does not eliminate nor deny any childhood embarrassing moments, such as playing strip poker. He first refuses to play strip poker knowing he'll be stripped butt naked. He settles in and turns the table and tricks the other boys pretending he knows how to play poker. The stories are so hilarious that you will definitely be amused. There's a chapter called, Auntie Monie who would come to visit a few times in a year. His mother tries to become more comfortable with Auntie Monie foreseeing some inheritance. Then his mother would kick the children outside one winter day locking them out. He's a brilliant comedian and shows it in this book. By the end of the chapter, there will be that one thought that will stick in your mind and make you giggle. Sedaris is a really good story teller and can draw you into his books like never before. The stories are non-stop; you won't be able to put your book down.

I can't believe how many people on here thought "Me Talk Pretty One day" was his best work. That was horrendous.

It may be because I've gone to so many readings of Sedaris that I could hear his intonation, and that made it funny, but I thought this was hilarious. The Rooster as a father? The beach house that never was? If you've known the various charachters in Sedaris' family (and I do mean charachters) this is some quality reading-but I would not suggest it as an intro to his work. I really enjoyed this.

Another collection of essays from a brilliant wit who you know you love to read. It's like I've said in my reviews before. There's no need to review each book when I can just give the author a blanket endorsement and guarantee you'll love whatever you find by the guy. I love it when that happens. I may have annoyed Jan by laughing out loud too often. Sedaris is like that.

A collection of essays about his life and family, David Sedaris once again entertains and tickles with his intelligent wit, sarcasm and his humorous but admirably perceptive outlook on everyday things the rest of us absorb, not file away for future reference. I truly wouldn't want to be around David though. I would feel like I'd unwittingly make it into one of his books.

David Sedaris is an absolutely hysterical writer and this book does not disappoint. His stories are always quirky but yet truthful and make me laugh out loud. The only thing better than reading a story he has written is listening to the audio version of it b.c there is just something about his slightly annoying voice that makes the stories sing.

At first I was disappointed at the slower pace of the some of the stories in this collection. By the time I worked my way through half the book, however, I decided it was Sedaris' best work yet. His prose does get stronger with each new book, but this latest one is more quietly introspective, more deeply reflective, and amazingly is so without losing the acid edge that is the hallmark of all his work.

This is by far David's funniest book ever. Started it Saturday afternoon and finished Sunday morning. My body hurts, seriously, as a result of hysterical laughing. From the strip poker rules he makes up, his cleaning experience with a gay diabetic, to his obsessive need to touch the head of an airline passenger and his experience with coffee boy, this man makes me laugh like no other. Mr. Sedaris, you are a treasure!

I was recently in Seattle to read from my collection of short stories, WORLD FAMOUS LOVE ACTS, and everywhere I turned there were displays for David Sedaris' new book. This in conjunction with the fact that friends often ask me to "write like David Sedaris" might give me the right for pause. But, far from being jealous, I bought a copy of DYCD while in Seattle and read it straight through, though admittedly, I was high on Seattle coffee. The gift Sedaris gives us is a willingness to be concisely funny, yes, but also vulnerable. This is not a book to recommend to gay friends only. This is a book for anyone who's not a test-tube baby, and maybe some of them too.

This is the first book I've read by Sedaris. Yes, it's very good, and I laughed out loud several times. But is it monumental? No. It's simply a good read. I found his essays of his childhood much more substantial and memorable than those of his adult life, maybe because I could relate events in his childhood to mine. I guess I need to read some of his earlier works to truly see where his avid following comes from.

By now most people know who Sedaris is, or isn't. Unless you've been living under a rock, you've either heard him on NPR or read something of his in Esquire or in paperback. "Dress your family" is great, but not his best effort. "Me Talk Pretty" is, with "Naked" not far behind. But even with that said, this is still one funny book. My only real hesitation/complaint was that I had read many of these stories/essays in Esquire and some place else--can't think of where. Then again, most authors present their work first in a magazine if they can, and later put their efforts into a book, so why shouldn't Mr. Sedaris? There's not a bad story in the bunch. The cover threw me off a bit, though. Great summer fun.

I loved most of Me Talk Pretty One Day, so after reading that, this has been a disappointment. I actually agree with one reviewer that a lot of the stories are "icky." Maybe he's running out of subject matter, and so is straining to find humor in some unpleasant and/or bizarre memories. To call Anne Franks' family's hiding place "adorable"? Oh, please. I think the only LOL essay in the whole collection is "Six to Eight Black Men." Sedaris has been very prolific, so maybe he just needs a long break to refill his creative well.

While admittedly this book is not at absurdly hilarious as Mr. Sedaris' other works, I believe he more than compensates for that with a great deal of what one reviewer quite accurately called thoughtfulness. Each essay takes a look at one particular aspect of being a family, or maintaining a relationship, or trying to come to some sort of grips with another human mind in all its bizarre intricacies. The essay as a structure is particularly suited to Mr. Sedaris' intention in this regard: the shortness of the form allows him to illuminate something and delicately provoke an unusual thought -- for example, that Anne Frank's neighbor might have turned in her family to the Nazis to get their hands on her apartment -- and then, instead of bludgeoning said point to death, the book moves on to another, equally interesting, equally delicate revelation. Very refreshing reading.

Less laugh-out-loud funny than his previous efforts, but somehow more satisfying in its examination of family and the ties that bind. Sedaris is an amazing wit and his ability to pare down a situation - none of which are all that significant in and of themselves, but all of which any reader can relate to - into its essential elements for the purposes of commentary and observation, is second to none.
A superb collection from a master.

The theme behind David Sedaris's latest collection is brilliantly simple: everybody's family is wacked-out...but only he is ruthless/unfeeling/blunt enough to drag his family into the limelight, revealing their private weirdness for anyone to see (even when they beg, plead, and command him not to - and he writes about that, too). "Oh, the stories I could tell," you say, rolling your eyes knowingly, in reference to a quirky family member - but you don't. David Sedaris does; that's why he's rich and famous, and you are not. It should be noted, however, that the author enjoys a hefty natural advantage: as it turns out, his family really is weirder than most.
In "The Ship Shape," Sedaris skewers his family's pretensions to summerhouse splendor - and how his father's legendary cheapness destroys their dream. After years of sun-worshiping vacations in rental houses, Sedaris's father proposes buying a beach house of their own. Though they should know better, the family believes him, and gets caught up in the whirlwind of beach house excitement. They practice nonchalantly dropping "my home - well, one of my homes" into conversation, and compile a list of whimsical, nautical beach house names. Ultimately, of course, they're crushed with disappointment, as their father rethinks the expense, and the imaginary summer home gets shaved down to a bar in the basement. (This is where my father would have said, "Don't get your hopes up, and you won't be disappointed.")
"Full House" follows a young David Sedaris forced into attending his first all-boys sleepover. Well aware that traditional male pastimes (cars, sports, girls) are of no interest to him, the author correctly predicts that he's in for a night of misery. For hours, the host's dorky parents dominate the party, trying with pathetic enthusiasm to be cool. But once they retire, the evening takes on an even darker aspect, as cards are brought out and strip poker proposed. Terrified of, ahem, exposure in a roomful of handsome, scantily-clad teens, Sedaris is forced to take desperate measures to avoid a lifetime of persecution. Can he successfully masquerade as a regular guy for the duration of the sleepover? Well, of course not. But it's funny to watch him fail.
"Six to Eight Black Men" starts off as a cursory examination of cultural differences, but quickly gets down to its real subject matter: the fact that in the Netherlands, Santa is accompanied, not by elves, but by a team of, yes, six to eight black men. This piece contains my favorite passage of the entire book: "The six to eight black men were characterized as personal slaves until the mid-1950s, when the political climate changed and it was decided that instead of being slaves they were just good friends. I think history has proved that something usually comes between slavery and friendship, a period of time marked not by cookies and quiet hours beside the fire but by bloodshed and mutual hostility." Ho, ho, ho!
"Blood Work" involves a situation we've all found ourselves in: unknowingly being summoned to perform erotic housecleaning in a stranger's apartment for money. As the homeowner's behavior becomes progressively weirder, Sedaris struggles to retain an air of normality (and finish cleaning the apartment); because the author is who he is, it doesn't even occur to him to either punch the guy in the face or simply walk out. Instead, he keeps his eyes on the countertop, and silently wishes for the inner strength of his family's stern-faced housekeeper. The explanation, when it comes, is one of those stranger-than-fiction things that defies probability - but also makes for one hell of a story.
Many of the pieces have to do with the author's family: either humorous childhood tales or present-day musings on the siblings's often tense and awkward relationships. There are, however, a few stories about Sedaris's exploits in rural France with his partner Hugh. Although the title, as far as I can tell, is never explained, it's probably along the lines of a similar horrors-of-childhood story from fellow memoirist Augusten Burroughs. Perhaps, by leaving it to our imaginations, Sedaris is implying that there are even worse stories about his family - stories so terrible that even he can't bring himself to tell them. So let's not try. It's enough to be glad that the author survived both his childhood and the 1970s, and lived to tell the laugh-out-loud funny tale. I loved this book, but try it for yourself. Pick up a copy!

If you like the dry wit of David Sedaris you will love this book. Even if you don't know who he is, once you have read the first page you will probably love this book.

Seeing the world through the author's eyes for a while helps us to remember the little absurdities we experience every day and, somehow, cherish them for a moment rather than let them drive us stark, raving, looney.

Thank you Mr. Sedaris, for reminding us to treasure even the stranger moments that make up the life of a human being.

I didn't know anything about the author or the subject matter for this book when I began reading it. I liked the writing but didn't really laugh for the first third of the book. I guess that's because I identified with his family and the time period he grew up in. Although his family is not normal (whose is?) I didn't think they were outlandish. But as the book progressed I found it very funny and at the end, I was howling. I was reading in bed and was laughing so hard I couldn't even tell my husband what was so funny. I'm now looking forward to reading his other books, it is rare to find someone who can write humor in this way, it's substantial, touching, and funny.

This was darker than Me Talk Pretty One Day, yet still hilarious at moments, making the whole thing seem more honest and introspective. Be prepared for some stories to make you somewhat uncomfortable, and not every story has a funny ending, but it is still one his best books.

That said, Six to Eight Black Men made me cry I was laughing so hard.

This was my first Sedaris book. I didn't quite know what to make of it when I started reading it, but it grew on me. Sedaris has to grow on you. His books seem to be a compilation of short stories about his life...a strange life. Anything he writes is entertaining and he's a comfortable, easy-to-read writer. Recommend.

The author's latest work is not his funniest to date(that honor still goes to "Me Talk Pretty One Day"), it is however a wry, absurd, laugh out loud look at the bizarre world that is the life of David Sedaris. My favorite by far was "Put a Lid on It". David's description of his sister's apartment was so funny it left me howling, and the book is worth reading for this story alone. "Baby Einstein" and "Repeat After Me" are also priceless in their hilarity. If you love David Sedaris, this work will not disappoint.

This book is good, but not as good as "Me Talk Pretty One Day." There was too much space between laughs, but when I did laugh, I laughed A LOT, especially during the last story when he describes the serial-killerish nature of his house. The essays were keenly observant and analytical and people who think he is "an ugly person" do not understand the masterful irony of his bluntness. Sometimes the essays are too obviously used as vehicles for him to explain and justify his eccentricity and a few others are a bit ill-conceived and un-noteworthy, like the one about the rubber hand, but overall, it's a pretty good read. There's also a grossness factor that I didn't particularly appreciate. Finally, and I'm not really using this against the book, I don't understand the full significance of the title. I was expecting it to show up in one of the essays like in "Me Talk Pretty One Day," but it didn't. Maybe it's just me who doesn't get it though.

Hilariously insightful. I found myself relating to his family. Events in my life that were sad suddenly became hilariously funny when seen through the "Sedaris" lense. I usually dont read non fiction but this a welcome cool long drink on a Florida hot summer day. Read it if your need to laugh quietly for a month or two.

I just read this book, and I have never read any of David Sedaris' other books. I noticed the buzz the book and the author was getting, and so I bought it. I was wondering why I wasn't laughing all the time, but I realized that these stories are however one decides to take them. And I think they are thoughtful and deep, and a few are very funny. Six to Eight Black Men had me laughing so hard I was punding my fists and kicking my legs, with tears streaming down my face. His brother, Paul, is so funny with his metaphors, a true Southerner. His sister's, the one's he included in the book, are earthy and identifiable. A really good read. I recommend it. Now I am off to buy "Me Talk Pretty One Day"!!

Sedaris seems have grown even more comfortable in his skin. This collection stands out compared to his previous ones as being more from the heart. You get a much more detailed understanding of him and his family than from his other collections. My previous favorite was Me Talk Pretty One Day, which I think perhaps had funnier parts, but Dress just seems more real.

From such a strong writer, or at least one who had been steadily perfecting his craft, I expected the writing in Denim to be so much better than it is. The stories are often not that funny and often aren't even engaging. If you hadn't seen his previous work you would think he just wasn't capable of better than this, but weirdly, you know he is - or was. Even as a memoir the stories are hardly stories, more anecdotes that often just don't hold together properly. Many feel like sketches of stories that are not yet done. Sedaris has not always been an all hits author but this book, unlike his others, is more misses than hits. I'll still wait to see what his next book entails, but I won't strive to buy it in hardcover again.

Some of the stories in this book were a bit out of line. For example "Blood Work" was when a guy calls the wrong cleaning service, mistaking Sedaris's services for an erotic cleaning service. It is disgusting to even think about this obese sweaty man pleasuring himself in the company of Sedaris. My personal favorite story is "Six to Eight Black Men", basically a collection of interesting facts from all the places Sedaris has visited. For some of their traditions he sees no point in them, and recognizes the opportunity to poke fun. If you're looking for a humorous book, then this would be a good buy. It doesn't get too boring, and has a lot of variety since it has 22 different stories. This is a book that you can pick up 3 months after your first read and still laugh out loud at. Although I may have to warn you; the Sedaris family is far from normal.

What's it like for David Sedaris to carry a cup of coffee? You'll find the answer to this question and countless boring others in this labored book. I like Sedaris for his honesty and unique observations, but he reaches a bit with DYFCD. I mean, c'mon, writing about what's it's like to write about your family? He's become too self aware, a tad self-indulgent and actually a little pompous ("Their accents were from Sweden, or maybe Denmark..." -- Gimme a break.) There are a few fresh touches, especially the latest on his brother.

I don't believe that Sedaris intended a hilarious read like Me Talk Pretty One Day. While reading this book, all I could think was that he was pouring his heart out about some very painful events in his life and about painful observations about humanity (the chapter about TV, for instance) but had to throw in some comedy for those who expect it from him. I read this book and laughed out loud a number of times, but I also cried a few times. This book was very well written and is funny but also painful at times.

I took this book with me to work to read between customers and it had me laughing so hard people passing by were giving me odd looks. This is a great book. I would NOT say it characterizes "normal American life" -- but what is normal, anyway? (Who knows?)

Sedaris is brilliant. I can't wait to read the other books he's written.

Being the first David Sedaris book I've ever picked up, I didn't quite know what to think when I first checked it out from the library. But after hearing it raved about by my friends and being highly allured by the cover, I decided to give it a try. Reading this book turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences I've had in a very long time. I found myself cracking up at stories like "Six to Eight Black Men", "Baby Einstein" and "Monie Changes Everything." I often laughed so hard I received very curious stares from those around me.

David Sedaris is not only hilarious and entertaining, but also a very talented writer who knows how to weave a story unlike any others. I highly, highly, as highly as anyone can, recommend this book for someone, anyone who needs a good laugh.

The humor is good in general. He is not a very good writer, but most definitely a very talented story-teller. I loved each family-related story. (Unlike some people commented,they are by no means dysfunctional, they are most certainly interesting people and fun to read about. The book also has some good gay humor (particularly the part about making young boys sit on his lap)and replete with witty sarcasm and satire from the first page to the end.

However, I found the essays about his Euorepan days a bit unintelligent. Particularly "Six to Eight Black Men" offended me straight-out. (ok..I should say I can't be very objective here since I am from Turkey) because he wouldn't want to believe that St. Nick is from Turkey and that we wouldn't appreciate him here. Disturbing bias against a country about which he does not know anything. And if he likes Christmas so much he should have known where Santa is from anyway. (It is a good little story though. )

Secondly, I couldn't entirely relate to the part about Anne Frank simply because Anne Frank is Anne Frank. I'm not in any way trying to say that he was making fun of the Holocaust but he does seem to be taking it a little bit less seriously than most people do (or should, in my opinion).

Overall, I liked the book but I like that slef-depracating style in general. I had never read any Sedaris before and I think I might check out some of his other books whenever I feel like reading good humor.

David Sedaris opens up his family album to allow us to wander through the pages of someone else's history. I appreciate my own family more, now that I've read David Sedaris' musings. Wisdom comes in many disguises, in this case it came decked out in corduroy and denim. I ended up asking myself, "What is normal life? " after reading this book. Surely the aim of any writer is to inspire their readers to ask questions. Sadly, I haven't found the asnswer, but I continue to ask.

Let me start out by saying David Sedaris is one of my favourite writers. I had been anticipating this new book for quite some time, and sadly to say, I was terribly disappointed. Previous efforts ('Naked', 'Me Talk Pretty..' et al) have caused me to laugh out loud in inappropriate places. Often. Even on repeated readings. With the exception of "six to eight black men" (about christmas in another country) which is very funny, the most I could muster was a smile for about half the essays. Several stories were downright unappealing, Especially "chicken in the henhouse" and "the girl next door". Both had an underlying theme relating to fear of being accused of pedophila. Both left me feeling kind of creepy. If this was a first effort, perhaps I would be more forgiving. All in all it's not a bad book. I just expected better. I'm still a fan, for now....

I like David and have seen him live. The beginning of this book was pretty good, but then I just lost interest. There were the occasional laugh out loud sections, but it seemed like they weren't coming often enough to keep me choosing this book over others. So I say it just wasn't good enough.

My first experience with David Sedaris was "Me Talk Pretty One Day." I read it as a part of my book club. I loved it immediately. So next I bought "Naked," which somehow surpassed "Me Talk Pretty One Day" in hilarity! I was at the grocery store when I noticed a copy of "Dress Your Family in Denim and Corduroy" which I immediately bought. I loved it, loved it, loved it. It's every bit as funny as the others, but with a little bit of poignancy too. It was a fantastic read and I highly recommend it.

I literally laughed out loud to the point of tears over and over again - and something has to be darn funny for me to laugh like that. I recently went on vacation with friends and implored all of them to read it. I must have made quite the impression because four of them are now reading it. This book is really one of the funniest, most well-written books I've ever come across - yes, ever! You will NOT REGRET buying this book, trust me. I really don't know who could possibly write a bad review of this book - someone who hates fun for sure. If you like fun or need a laugh, this book has your name written all over it.

I enjoy David Sedaris's writing. It is smart, funny, and due to his radio appearances I can always hear his voice reading the essays. Not only are the tales of his family and his life with Hugh funny but they always contain kernels of truth that everyone can relate to.

I was sorry I had to miss Sedaris's recent appearance in Madison, maybe next time.

If you think you have a weird family, do yourself a favor and read this author's books. You'll never complain again. This is a genuine poster family for dysFUNctional. I've read all Mr. Sedaris' books and never fail to be amazed that his family still talks to him.

I have heard David Sedaris on National Public Radio and always really liked his stuff. He's funny and clever, and I was really looking forward reading one of his books.

But Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim is terrible. Most of the time it feels like he is confessing things he knows are reprehensible, but with a contemptuous adolescent, remorseless tone. It is perverse, really. As the narrator of the book, he says cruel, racist, petty things about just about everyone else he mentions in the book with no trace of humor or irony. I hate to say it, but he seems like just an ugly person.

The book made me uncomfortable to read, and at the second reference to how surprised he was at seeing "white servants", I took it back to the store. There are too many inspiring, challenging books in the world to waste time reading something like this. I can't speak for his other books, and I still like him on NPR, but pass on this one, friends.

Certainly these stories are an exaggeration, but I don't mind. They are highly entertaining, hilarious at times, but also bittersweet. David Sedaris must have had a wonderful mother. -- Sue Lange, author We, Robots

I had never read something like this before.

In my opinion, David Sedaris is a very talented man, he has such a creativity and imagination to narrate things and events in such a brutal, honest and unique way that just make it hilarious.

It suprised me how peculiar his family is, and how different they all are from one another. But again, the way he tells the stories are just funny.

I do recommend it if you want to get a few laughs out of it. ^_^

I like David and have seen him live. The beginning of this book was pretty good, but then I just lost interest. There were the occasional laugh out loud sections, but it seemed like they weren't coming often enough to keep me choosing this book over others. So I say it just wasn't good enough.

My first experience with David Sedaris was "Me Talk Pretty One Day." I read it as a part of my book club. I loved it immediately. So next I bought "Naked," which somehow surpassed "Me Talk Pretty One Day" in hilarity! I was at the grocery store when I noticed a copy of "Dress Your Family in Denim and Corduroy" which I immediately bought. I loved it, loved it, loved it. It's every bit as funny as the others, but with a little bit of poignancy too. It was a fantastic read and I highly recommend it.

I literally laughed out loud to the point of tears over and over again - and something has to be darn funny for me to laugh like that. I recently went on vacation with friends and implored all of them to read it. I must have made quite the impression because four of them are now reading it. This book is really one of the funniest, most well-written books I've ever come across - yes, ever! You will NOT REGRET buying this book, trust me. I really don't know who could possibly write a bad review of this book - someone who hates fun for sure. If you like fun or need a laugh, this book has your name written all over it.

I enjoy David Sedaris's writing. It is smart, funny, and due to his radio appearances I can always hear his voice reading the essays. Not only are the tales of his family and his life with Hugh funny but they always contain kernels of truth that everyone can relate to.

I was sorry I had to miss Sedaris's recent appearance in Madison, maybe next time.

If you think you have a weird family, do yourself a favor and read this author's books. You'll never complain again. This is a genuine poster family for dysFUNctional. I've read all Mr. Sedaris' books and never fail to be amazed that his family still talks to him.

I have heard David Sedaris on National Public Radio and always really liked his stuff. He's funny and clever, and I was really looking forward reading one of his books.

But Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim is terrible. Most of the time it feels like he is confessing things he knows are reprehensible, but with a contemptuous adolescent, remorseless tone. It is perverse, really. As the narrator of the book, he says cruel, racist, petty things about just about everyone else he mentions in the book with no trace of humor or irony. I hate to say it, but he seems like just an ugly person.

The book made me uncomfortable to read, and at the second reference to how surprised he was at seeing "white servants", I took it back to the store. There are too many inspiring, challenging books in the world to waste time reading something like this. I can't speak for his other books, and I still like him on NPR, but pass on this one, friends.

Certainly these stories are an exaggeration, but I don't mind. They are highly entertaining, hilarious at times, but also bittersweet. David Sedaris must have had a wonderful mother. -- Sue Lange, author We, Robots

I had never read something like this before.

In my opinion, David Sedaris is a very talented man, he has such a creativity and imagination to narrate things and events in such a brutal, honest and unique way that just make it hilarious.

It suprised me how peculiar his family is, and how different they all are from one another. But again, the way he tells the stories are just funny.

I do recommend it if you want to get a few laughs out of it. ^_^

When I read Sedaris' "Me Talk Pretty One Day," I laughed harder than I have before or since. I also found Sedaris' "Santaland Diaries" to be hysterical. What happened here? I don't think I even smiled while reading "Dress Your Family." It is a sad and painful book to read. If that's what you like, you'll enjoy this book. If you're looking for another Me Talk Pretty, keep looking.

This was totally funny, and it was typical Sedaris. "Dress Your Family..." was all about his family, including entire chapters devoted to each of his siblings and his parents. On one hand, he points out all of his family's quirks with humor, but on the other hand, he sweetly sums it up by saying that is why he loves them. If I were his sister, I don't know how I would react to his totally honest observations. However, I am just a grateful reader that loves his humor. This is definately worth the money!

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim was an amazing novel written by David Sedaris. I enjoyed reading this book from cover to cover. The humor was never ending. He took real life stories and told them bluntly with a humor that not many authors can match. The randomness of the novel was what made the novel unique. He talked about the little things in life rather than the big. He told about his family relationships, finding his sexuality, and growing up. The continuous culture shock that is David Sedaris's life was intriguing and hilarious. If you like roll on the floor comedy you will love Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris.

By: Kassie Forman

This was Sedaris's best book by far, which is saying a lot since his other ones were great too. I laughed out loud at least every few pages. One story even made me misty-eyed. I haven't enjoyed a book this much for a long time.

David Sedaris has mentioned his family members in his previous books, but this one really puts the spotlight on his mother, father, sisters and brother. It's full of humor, pathos, and I dare to you read it and not be touched.

I've never read anything by David Sedaris, but this book was getting a huge amount of play on tv (saw him on David Letterman last night!) and in a lot of magazines. So I bought the book and I wasn't disappointed. The stories of his childhood and life are very funny and brought back memories of my own experiences growing up in the burbs (though my life had nothing on his!). I guess I just expected hilarity due to all the exposure he has been getting. Give it a few hours and it will give you a few laughs.

This one was a little more poignant than the others, but not remotely lacking the great humor we all love in David Sedaris. I'm not sure that his family is any wackier than others, but he has a gift for bringing them to life for us in all their humorous episodes.

This book made me laugh and laugh. It is short stories primarily about David's life/family. It is a million times better than his other book "Holidays on Ice". I highly recommend Dress Your Family but stay away from Holidays on Ice. It is aweful.

David Sedaris will never cease to amaze me. Whether he's using his wit to embarrass one of any of his many sisters or to describe drowning vermin, "Dress Your Family in Cordouroy and Denim" is beyond funny. When it's 4 a.m. and you look up at the clock unaware of anything but your throat hurting from laughing out loud, you know you have been entertained by a master. If you read "Esquire" have heard or have seen "Live at Carnegie Hall" some of the material may seem repititious, so be forewarned that he refers to himself as "the laziest man in showbiz."

The Sedaris clan have easily transmorgified into the Glass family of the Post-ironic set. Between Amy's raucous television appearances and David's inimitable readings these two are quickly becoming the Franny and Zoe, the Ernie and Dodi, the Kukla and Ollie for the clued-in readers/viewers with a taste for the absurdly hilarious. ANY creation these two produce, either independently or in tandem, is sure to delight. Buy it all: read repeatedly.

This is the first David Sedaris book I ever read, and after reading his other books, this is still my favorite. The best story is "six to eight black men". I can't even tell people about that story without laughing so hard that I have tears in my eyes. I was often reading this book while in a public place, and it caused the awkward situation of laughing out loud in public!

Thank you Mr. Sedaris for an immensely entertaining book. Your look at Christmas traditions in your chapter entitled Six to Eight Black Men was side-splitting and made the rounds in our house. Family members from 14 to 80 could not stop laughing.

I love David Sedaris' work, and this new book is no exception. Its focus is more on his family and their dynamics than previous books. This is a wonderful read, marked by humor and a graceful exploration of why we love each other in spite of the differences.

This was the first title I have read from the author and after seeing all of the reviews, I somewhat expected this to be one of the those laugh out loud books. With a few exceptions, it wasn't. I was still entertained by the accounts of this very unique family and was able to relate to various pieces of the different stories. I dont regret picking up this book up but I I think I was expecting more.

Sedaris is a funny man!! The desription of him and his stories as laugh out loud funny is right on the mark. I would have appreciated a heads up on the graphic nature of some of his tellings, though. I bought two of hese books as gifts...I felt I needed to apologize to the one recipient who received the book before I read it myself...the other one was never given...I was too embarrassed by the the raw sexual nature of several of Sedaris' musings. So be ready to laugh out loud but keep ready, ready to hide your eyes...I would strongly suggest a read through BEFORE you decide to gift this one.

This book is hilarious in a "Wonder Years", "Malcolm in the Middle", "That 70's Show" sort of way. Some reviews have called it "predictable", etc., blah, blah. but the reviewers are the same people who would slog through a 1,000 page boring piece of crap just to prove they're smarter than us when they're not. The book's one flaw is the author's constant harping on his gayness. Except for it's relevance to growing up in 1960's North Carolina, it's a tired theme that the book doesn't need to be funny.

I fell in love with this book just a couple of pages in, which is usually a good sign. I really identify with Sedaris' style of writing in general, so I found this an incredibly easy-read. There are several parts where you will snicker out loud, and then maybe later you'll go back and re-read those spots just to giggle again.

I keep this book out for a quick pick-me-up whenever the mood suits me.

of people you might not even find so intersting. Maybe I just overdosed on his family stories in the much funnier first two books. I feel his well has run dry. I would classify Sedaris as a writer of Books for people who dont really like reading...Or only like easy stuff but are too hip or think they are too hip to read Bridget Jones type of books. Even Alain de Botton is much more creative..Time would be better and more satisfingly spent by reading Julian Barnes, Michael Cunningham, Anne Tyler, Jane Smiley, and Chekhov's, John Cheever's or John Updikes stories.

This book is jampacked with what David Sedaris is famous for...great and interesting stories about himself and his quirky family. With marvelous wit and a somewhat sarcastic tone, Sedaris makes you believe you know his family as well as he does.

A fun, quick read that can be picked up and put down at a later date, if youre able. Just alot of fun...though prudish readers may be put off at some parts.

David Sedaris is someone Id love to meet just to hear his stories about his offbeat family in person.

I loved all of his earlier books, but this one struck a particular chord with me. It's not that it was funny -- it was. Hilarious, as usual. It's not that it was personal. Again, as always. It's that an already wonderful writer is improving -- before our very eyes. The ending scene in the parrot-sister story is about the best thing he's ever done. Funny and personal and, dare say, literary. Can't wait for the next one!

David Sedaris is my favorite modern author by far. This book of short stories is outstanding. So far my favorite story is The Girl Next Door, I'm taking my time reading this book, it's too good to use up in one night.

Unfortunately, I am one of those readers who feels compelled to finish every book they start. I say unfortunately because I picked up "Dress Your Family..." and started reading it based on my experience with Mr. Sedaris' other novels. His wanderings through his childhood were less than engaging - possibly because they were no more or less interesting than most of my own. In fact I have a couple of friends with truly exciting childhoods whom I can recommend before he writes his next book. I believe Mr. Sedaris may have squeezed the last ounce of interest out of his family history in previous books.

Much anticipated and well worth the wait! My mother introduced me to Sedaris a few years ago when she gave me "Naked" for my birthday. I've recently taken to reading more of his books. I recommend for new and old fans.

I am not obsessed but have read or own all Sedaris books and have gleefully converted friends and family members. This book was NOT disappointing, I read it in one big binge and laughed out loud SEVERAL times. I highly recommend it. I also don't get the title, and I want to know what Hejira means.
This book is hilarious and odd and vaguely disturbing and yes, touching and sensitive. I wouldn't read it in public, for fear of laughing out loud.

The witty and dry humor of David Sedaris is once again present in this light hearted book. I was reading it on the plane and found myself going from a serious face, to a grin to bursting out in laughter while other passengers looked on wondering what was the reason behind it all. If only they knew... Great book!

The next one is better than the last one... true humor, true insight, real life at its finest. Anyone who can not see SOMEONE they know in at least one of Sedaris' characters is obviously not aware of the world or the people around them. Once again, a pleasure to read... and re-read!

I am one of those serious David Sedaris fans. His other books including Me Talk Pretty One Day and Naked are the type of books that make you laugh out loud on a crowded bus. After anticipating this book for weeks, it was not the constant riot I was expecting. The last chapter was great but other than that I only had one chuckle and a few smiles, which compared to other books is great but compared to other David Sedaris books is a let down. Still a fan though.

David Sedaris has written yet another great book. When I heard that he had written it, I knew I had to get it. I won't say that it was disapointing though- because it certainly wasn't- but it wasn't as laugh-out-loud funny as his previous works either. Still, if you are a David Sedaris fan, this is one that you need to add to your collection.

The last book I read had such a shoddy ending that when I completed the very last sentence I threw the book across the room and dwelled on it for two years, not reading a single book since. I am happy to report that David Sedaris's Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim has won me back to the world of reading. This collection of short essays about his family, neighbors, and total strangers is laugh-out-loud hysterical.

I was under the impression from just about every review of this book, that it was humorous in many ways, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I was WAY off. Its not funny at all, and its more like an autobiography of the difficulties the author had growing up as a homosexual. There were few instances where I could even chuckle at the writting and although I will admit the author has some talent, the book should not be marketed as a funny bunch of essays, it is a straightforward, somewhat depressing, look at a difficult life.

I own every Sedaris book thus far, but I have to say, this book does not portray David's full ability as an entertaining writer. I felt that this book was forced, maybe on a pending deadline. I found myself putting the book down on several occassions, all the other books I have reread. Overall, I found it bland and and definately not his best work.

Unfortunately, I am one of those readers who feels compelled to finish every book they start. I say unfortunately because I picked up "Dress Your Family..." and started reading it based on my experience with Mr. Sedaris' other novels. His wanderings through his childhood were less than engaging - possibly because they were no more or less interesting than most of my own. In fact I have a couple of friends with truly exciting childhoods whom I can recommend before he writes his next book. I believe Mr. Sedaris may have squeezed the last ounce of interest out of his family history in previous books.

Much anticipated and well worth the wait! My mother introduced me to Sedaris a few years ago when she gave me "Naked" for my birthday. I've recently taken to reading more of his books. I recommend for new and old fans.

I am not obsessed but have read or own all Sedaris books and have gleefully converted friends and family members. This book was NOT disappointing, I read it in one big binge and laughed out loud SEVERAL times. I highly recommend it. I also don't get the title, and I want to know what Hejira means.
This book is hilarious and odd and vaguely disturbing and yes, touching and sensitive. I wouldn't read it in public, for fear of laughing out loud.

The witty and dry humor of David Sedaris is once again present in this light hearted book. I was reading it on the plane and found myself going from a serious face, to a grin to bursting out in laughter while other passengers looked on wondering what was the reason behind it all. If only they knew... Great book!

The next one is better than the last one... true humor, true insight, real life at its finest. Anyone who can not see SOMEONE they know in at least one of Sedaris' characters is obviously not aware of the world or the people around them. Once again, a pleasure to read... and re-read!

I am one of those serious David Sedaris fans. His other books including Me Talk Pretty One Day and Naked are the type of books that make you laugh out loud on a crowded bus. After anticipating this book for weeks, it was not the constant riot I was expecting. The last chapter was great but other than that I only had one chuckle and a few smiles, which compared to other books is great but compared to other David Sedaris books is a let down. Still a fan though.

David Sedaris has written yet another great book. When I heard that he had written it, I knew I had to get it. I won't say that it was disapointing though- because it certainly wasn't- but it wasn't as laugh-out-loud funny as his previous works either. Still, if you are a David Sedaris fan, this is one that you need to add to your collection.

The last book I read had such a shoddy ending that when I completed the very last sentence I threw the book across the room and dwelled on it for two years, not reading a single book since. I am happy to report that David Sedaris's Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim has won me back to the world of reading. This collection of short essays about his family, neighbors, and total strangers is laugh-out-loud hysterical.

I was under the impression from just about every review of this book, that it was humorous in many ways, so I figured I'd give it a shot. I was WAY off. Its not funny at all, and its more like an autobiography of the difficulties the author had growing up as a homosexual. There were few instances where I could even chuckle at the writting and although I will admit the author has some talent, the book should not be marketed as a funny bunch of essays, it is a straightforward, somewhat depressing, look at a difficult life.

I own every Sedaris book thus far, but I have to say, this book does not portray David's full ability as an entertaining writer. I felt that this book was forced, maybe on a pending deadline. I found myself putting the book down on several occassions, all the other books I have reread. Overall, I found it bland and and definately not his best work.

The reason I give this audiobook 4 stars is that there are only 2 live performances, when 4 are advertised - 6 to 8 Black Men is live, as is Rooster at the Hitchin' Post, but neither Who's the Chef? nor Repeat After Me are live (the latter two are advertised as live in the copyright section on the back). Still, this audiobook is immensely worth it.

I just reread this at my dad's over the holidays and laughed all over again. I think I enjoyed it more the second time around. As many have mentioned, not as many belly laughs in this one compared to his earlier books, but still plenty to smile about.

David Sedaris' account of various situations and scenarios will have you laughing throughout the entire book! The book is filled with poignant and humorous essays that relay the joy and pain of growing up and living in middle America with family. Filled with great stories, I HIGHLY recommend this read!

Sedaris is good at what he does. His essays on personal life experience are witty and entertaining, to say the least. The stories have a very human touch, short witty and rounding out to come full circle by the end, they've always made me wish Sedaris were writing them for a sitcom.

My only complaint with the author, and this is not limited to "Dress your family...", is that he's grown to be rather predictable to anyone who follows his work.

All in all, as expected, another fine piece of work by David Sedaris.

Loved this book! I laughed out loud in so many places, and by the time I was done I practically wanted to flip it over and read it again! Sure, it's an oddball book, but that's why I loved it. People who are easily offended or uptight probably aren't going to like this book. However, his sense of humor is so similar to mine that I'll be sure to pick up the rest of his books. VERY soon.

I absolutely LOVE Sedaris and his latest book did not dissapoint! I've heard a couple of these stories before on his Carnegie Hall CD (which I also recommend) and the other stories accompanying them were just as hilarious and wonderful.
Sedaris writes the way every contemporary essayist should. He's hilarious, thought-provoking, clever, honest, and extremely talented.
This book is a must-have!

I am a huge Sedaris fan but was very disappointed in this book. First off, as a fan, I had already read half the stories put together here in magazines. Secondly, they just aren't as funny as his earlier works. Sedaris needs to broaden his horizons or if he insists on sticking to the same subjects over and over, work harder to make the stories funny. It's sad when you see great writers getting lazy.

Having read all of David Sedaris' previous books, when this one caught my eye I did the happy dance in the middle of Borders. I read it quickly and savored every bit of it. This book will make you laugh out loud, but does not compare to his previous books.
Also, if you get the chance to see him read live, I highly recommend it.

Sublty is lost on so many. God forbid if the "group" doesn't like something.
Any fan of Sedaris will love this book as it lets us in closer to his (...) genius. The grace that can be found in such an awkward little man's life is astounding and should give us all hope for our own messed-up affairs. It illustrates, to those who care to listen carefully, that everything is important.

David Sedaris is no doubt one of the more enjoyable writers out there today, even if this book is more or less a continuation of his past works. The fourth time around (or is it fifth?) it just doesn't seem as fresh and sharp witted. But I'll still take this book over Dan Brown's anyday.

Sedaris is brilliant. I read this book a few weeks ago on a short international flight. It was the perfect anecdote to my usual restlessness.
I think everyone should read some Sedaris. He probably won't appeal to some because his personal writing style requires that readers share some of his world views. That said, when he does resonate with you, he makes magic. A truly spectacular storyteller in my opinion.

I didn't find this book too interesting. It felt like I was reading a random stranger's blog. If that's the type of thing you enjoy, then read *real* blogs - they're free. It's hard to connect with Sedaris, even after reading the short stories.

One of the things I just don't get about David Sedaris is his uncanny ability to recycle. Must be a greek thing.

You will have definately read at least half of these stories somewhere else if you are at all familiar with Sedaris.

It's resissued, repackaged Sedaris.

Me Talk Pretty One Day, is a much better read.

All of David's books are compltely hilarious and this one is no exception. I love this book! Everyone should read it because it's incredibly hilarious. It's defitnely one of his best, perhaps even close to "Me Talk Pretty One Day" and "Naked". Yay David! Totally read it.

This book has been on my stack of "to read" books for ages, and I finally got around to it. He's quirky and sarcastic, but overall I found the essays depressing and disturbing. I didn't find him or his family all that interesting. When he moved toward the more outwardly comedic, he also became more crude. It's certainly not at all flattering to his family or others who find their way into his stories. I'm sorry I bought it - wish I'd just borrowed it from the library!

I recently bought Sedaris' Carnegie Hall CD and thought it was hilarious. I am also an enthusiastic fan of This American Life and have loved his many contributions. This book proves that NPR highlights Sedaris' best work and leaves the rest. Unfortunately this is a book mostly of "the rest".
I had a tough time finding any redeeming value in the story of his rickshaw hauling, trash picking sister and her ability to put out cigarettes with her bare feet. I was much more repulsed by the story of his budding homosexuality and the way he was able to coerce young, naked boys to sit on his lap.
If I were to choose one word to describe this book it would be "icky". Skip the ickiness and buy the CD. Or, better yet skip the expense and listen to This American Life. It's free and it's his best material.

I despised the essay/story called "Possession" and felt that Sedaris has dropped to a disgraceful level of insensitivity. I can't find anything even remotely humorous about the Holocaust. I'm not at all saying he thinks the Holocaust is funny but I don't joke about it like I don't joke about slavery, wars or other examples of man's ability to become sadisic monsters. Who knows, maybe Anne Frank finds it funny from somewhere beyond the grave but I can't. I, too, have been to Anne's secret annex in Amsterdam. It was a place to mourn and a reminder to not be hateful in our own lives. I loved "me talk pretty" and even liked the quirky, selfish character he portrays himself to be but the stories in this book are bland and that single story made me feel immensely sad.

Another excellent collection of stories from David Sedaris. Every collection of his reminds me of how funny everyday life can be. Highly recomended for anyone with siblings, travels and has worked a minimum wage job. Enjoy!

Hearfelt essays on David Sedaris' life growing up gay in middle America. Always full of astute observations of American life, you will laugh out loud many times while reading this collection of essays.

I was introduced to David Sedaris two years ago when my friend gave me a copy of Naked. Since then I have purchased all his books for myself and some of my friends. This book is halarious, entertaining, captivating. You won't want to put it down.

Why? Because you'll be laughing so hard that people will stare at you. This is one of the funniest books ever. I read it while I ate lunch at a restaurant and laughed so hard I cried!

A Must-Read!

I had to read this book for a book club and it was very difficult to get through. The story was all over the place and it just didn't have a flow and continuity to it. I enjoy Sedaris' work and was shocked that I had such a hard with this book. Try it for yourself and let's discuss.

I absolutely teared up in amusement while reading, and re-reading Sedaris' "Me talk Pretty One Day" and highly anticipated DYFIC&D, however it did not live up to his previous work. Worth a read, but not nearly as entertaining. But gosh-darnit do I love The Rooster!

This creature---the racist homosexual is a quite perplexing to me. Sedaris is talented to a degree but can't seem to control his racism. His disrespect for people of color seems to seep out in other works and of course in this one it tends to come out sooner or later. The comments about how shocked he is to see "white servants", how the snow fall in a town he lived in was so light that he and his sisters would try to make snow men but they would turn to mud so they “would name them snow negros” or how (in his other CD live at Carnegie Hall) he mentions while telling the Dutch myth about Santa Clause that "most white Americans would barricade their homes and arm themselves with everything they had if they thought '6-8 black men’ with or without Santa Clause would be entering their houses”.

Other comments in his book include nonchalant remarks like, "De-segregation seemed to drive all of the cool kids to go to the private schools."

He reminds me a bit of Dave Savage, another gay man who makes racist or at the very least racially insensitive comments on a consistent basis.

Yet these same individuals want acceptance and non-prejudice shown towards themselves...humph. Sad but true and unbelievable.

My humble advice--avoid these types of hypocrites in print, film and your daily lives at ALL COSTS. If you must check out their so-called "work" – do what I did...check it out at your local library so you won't be giving these hypercritical creeps one red cent of your hard earned money.

Not funny. Mildly entertaining, at best. I found myself just wanting to be done with the book already. Sedaris was a genius with "Naked." Nothing else he has done compares--and "Corduroy and Denim" just takes him further away.

I had my idependent bookstore rush an order of Dress Your Family. I couldn't wait until I got a copy..NOW, I wish I had waited. It simply doesn't pack the punch of David's other books. Its routine. Its been done before. David is in danger of taking advantage of his many readers. He is clearly talented, but this book simply doesn't take chances. I know he can do better than this.

Why is this book on a best-sellers list? I had to literally force myself to finish it, and was gravely disappointed. The writing is poor, filled with metaphors that just don't work. The reviews on the back cover also claim that it is "hilarious"? I'm sure they didn't actually read the book. So for anyone who wants a good autobiographical book, read Augusten Burroughs, Running With Scissors, Dry, and Magical Thinking; David Sedaris doesn't even compare to Burroughs.

How very deceiving the other reviews have been! I wonder if the author or his friends posted them. I read them and bought the book thinking it might offer a humorous side on the everyday life of Americans...I was very disappointed. I could not even smile. Grotesque, in some parts ourtight disgusting...miserly low class American life...at its worst. No wonder the author moved to Paris, although I do not doubt that "the city will always follow him"... If he has read the Greeks, he will know whom I am referring to....Don't waste your money on this one.

After reading an essay by David Sedaris online and liking it, I checked out this book from the library. I was eagerly anticipating an enjoyable read. Unfortunately, while going through a few of the essays I found them to be-as I see others have pointed out-very vulgar; so I stopped. If it weren't for his inclusion of such lurid sexual and profane content-content that detracts from the author's talent-it's possible I would enjoy his work.

The final chapter in this book tells a story about Sedaris torturing an animal. Regardless of the circumstances involved, including such material in a comedic work is brutally stupid and insensitive to readers. This alone has turned me from a Sedaris fan to a non-Sedaris fan.

Besides that, the rest of the book was rather dull, rambling, often mean-spirited and completely unremarkable. What a let down after reading his previous works.

David Sedaris was a huge disappointment this time around (I quite liked his others). I found nothing remotely amusing. He seemed to ramble on most of his subjects without ever coming to a point. Just senseless babble. His whole family is clearly dysfunctional to the point that it's NOT funny. He needs Prozac the size of a grapefruit.

This book is simply awful. With the exception of a funny bit about his redneck brother that shows up on disc 4, this is just a sad story of a twisted individual. He goes on about his dyfunctional family, how he has urges to touch little boys on the head, playing strip poker with his naked and unsuspecting pre-pubescent friends, lying to his family, and all sorts of other wierdness. I thought this was supposed to be funny.... instead it just made me sick. Save your money.

The only good thing I can say about this book is that it gave me a lot of strange and scary things to ponder. The author rambles for several chapters, then takes the reader along for his silly interpretation of 'family' life. If only the world were like him, he imagines that everything would be okay. Sedaris is flagrantly self-absorbed and immature. A truly disappointing read.

I and my friends have never got this type of writing. Maybe we are aliens, or maybe you have to be from New York or something. It alls seems very unconvincing from a human perspective. No one we know acts or feels this way. It's like a Hollywood movie script where there are no parameters in reality. Surely humor is funny because it is based on actual human experience. Sedaris seems like he made the whole thing up. No one could have a family with this much dysfunction. I don't understand the adulation and even Carnegie Hall readings. As I say, maybe it's a New York thing.

i tried reading it, and made it about 3-4 pages. i'm pretty sure that's a bad sign. i seem to recall mr. sedaris writing about his mother's bedpan or something. the impression i instantly got was "BEEP BEEP! PRETENTIOUS YOUNG WRITER PEDDLING SO-CALLED BAD CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES FOR FAME, MONEY AND SYMPATHY." guess what, mr. sedaris? i don't give a (expletive deleted) about your so-called bad childhood. millions of people have bad childhoods and don't play the sympathy card. check out augusten burrough's books, they manage to have humor and touching moments without this kind of pretentious style.