Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris: Old Review

Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris
Title: Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls
Author: David Sedaris
Publisher:
Publication Date:
Length:
Series:
Reason for Discovery

From GoodReads:

A guy walks into a bar car and...

From here the story could take many turns. When this guy is David Sedaris, the possibilities are endless, but the result is always the same: he will both delight you with twists of humor and intelligence and leave you deeply moved. Sedaris remembers his father's dinnertime attire (shirtsleeves and underpants), his first colonoscopy (remarkably pleasant), and the time he considered buying the skeleton of a murdered Pygmy. With Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls, David Sedaris shows once again why his work has been called "hilarious, elegant, and surprisingly moving" (Washington Post).
 

Like Sedaris' previous books, Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls is a collection of stories and memoirs from Sedaris' life. This book also has a few short fictional stories as well.

I am not sure if David Sedaris has become more bitter as he has aged or has just started to run out of stories, but his recent books have not enchanted me. The first several essays were just disturbing or mean-spirited. I thought at times of just returning the book to the library unfinished. I did stick with it, and there were a few stories towards the end that were darling, although I cannot remember which ones they were. They were just not that memorable past the final page. I am glad that I read the book, but I am also glad that I borrowed it from the library instead of purchasing it. I do not foresee myself rereading this book unless I choose to reread all of David Sedaris's books. 
Although I did not enjoy this particular Sedaris book, I do recommend his earlier books. Sedaris does know how to spin a tale. He also does a great job of reading his own works. He is a regular on NPR's This American Life. Sadly, I do not think this is Sedaris' strongest work. I hope his next book is more to my liking. I give this book a two out of five.


12 comments:

Unknown said...
January 15, 2014 at 6:42 AM

Aw. I think that Sedaris is suffering from writer's block, what do you think? When that happens, fans would also find it difficult you know.

I hope your next read will be better. And that you will still have patience with Sedaris. :D

Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms said...
January 15, 2014 at 8:47 AM

It's always so sad picking up a book from a beloved author and not enjoy it. I hope you'll love everything about your next book :)

Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

Lark @ The Bookwyrm's Hoard said...
January 15, 2014 at 2:45 PM

I'm sorry you found it disappointing; thank you for the heads-up. I've not read any of his work, and this doesn't sound like the place to start -- I'm not fond of cynicism.

Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer said...
January 15, 2014 at 11:29 PM

Sorry this disappointed you, despite a few hidden gems in the book. I am not a huge fan of this type of dark humor.

Chanzie said...
January 16, 2014 at 5:42 AM

Sorry hear this book was a disappointment for you. Glad to know you still have hope for his future books though :)

Chanzie @ Mean Who You Are.

Unknown said...
January 20, 2014 at 1:40 PM

I think he may be going through some writer's block. I have to imagine that it is difficult to write funny nonfiction memoirs for years.

Unknown said...
January 20, 2014 at 1:41 PM

Thank you. I have noticed a bit of a decline in his writing over the years, but I still have hope for his next one! :)

Unknown said...
January 20, 2014 at 1:43 PM

He has written some super fabulous books. I would start at the beginning of his work with Santaland Diaries or Barrel Fever or any of his other early work. Also, he is a regular on NPR's This American Life, so you can hear some of his stories there too!

Unknown said...
January 20, 2014 at 1:44 PM

He usually isn't as dark and grim as he was in this book. I was really surprised. His earlier stuff is much funnier.

Unknown said...
January 20, 2014 at 1:44 PM

He has written so many good books that I have to have hope for the future!

Fantasy Is More Fun said...
January 22, 2014 at 11:25 PM

I hate when this happens - an author I've respected and looked forward to reading and I pick up a disappointment. I guess everyone has "off" days, so I can understand why you'll stick with him. Hopefully his next book delivers for you

Pamela D said...
January 22, 2014 at 11:55 PM

I have enjoyed so many of his books that I can't let this one book keep me away. Of course, if the next one is a dud for me: fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

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