David Sedaris

In talking to a student today about his paper, I urged him to overwrite it and make it satirical. He agreed to take on the challenge, and I think that it could become a funny, interesting piece. In searching for an example to help him along, I began to look for pieces by David Sedaris whose work I haven't read in a long time. It was a pleasure to take 20 minutes and cruise through three or four of his pieces. It reminded me of how much I enjoy self-deprecating humor and the extent to which Sedaris' dry tone can hide some of that if you aren't looking. He is pretty unsparing in this as well which can make for some simultaneously funny and sad moments, such as when he talks about his mother's death due to cancer and his own journeys with smoking. I guess what I like the most is his honesty...or his apparent honesty. I don't think he holds much back, and that is part of his talent, perhaps an overlooked part. I think it is pretty hard to be honest in print because of its permanence, and he wouldn't be anywhere near as interesting without honesty.