I love David Sedaris. So far I've read all but two of his books, have listened to a great many episodes of This American Life on which he is featured, and frankly I can't get enough. He's sarcastic and he has a special way of taking a bad situation and pointing out its badness in a hilarious way. He looks on the dark side of things, he embraces fears, and I like this about him. Too much positivity just isn't realistic, right? Why add sugar and water to lemon juice when it can be so distinctly pure and tart on it's own? Anyway, I had already heard or read some of the stories in Barrel Fever by the time I got to it, but I was happy to read them again. Some people I know dislike the way he tells a story and don't value the negativity that often comes through, but like I said-- I'm into that. As long as negativity has a purpose, I'm happy for it to be there. He tells stories as he experienced them, as he viewed them, and I think they're so genuine and funny as a result. I enjoyed all the different stories in Barrel Fever as I've enjoyed the different stories in his other works. I like that he's not afraid to be that person who complains when complaining feels right, and that he's not afraid to pick out the worst traits in people to describe them. But maybe I'm going a bit too far in highlighting his knack for blatant mockery and resentment; I definitely don't feel bogged down by Sedaris. Quite the contrary. I have a good laugh at his stories. I can picture clearly the things he describes because he's so good at pinpointing things, and I think that's one of the things that makes his humor so successful.
Anyway, I like it. I like the format of essays, I like its inhibitions, and I like its humor. Two thumbs up.
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