This wonderfully amusing book took me by surprise. Each chapter is a short memoir of David Sedaris' childhood, filled with some unusual adventures, from hitch hiking with a paraplegic to having servants wax your change. Sedaris writes in a very humorous tone, basically turning some of his misfortunes into the readers entertainment. Come to think of it, it really wasn't the stories that made the book enjoyable. It was how Sedaris wrote them. A very unique, consistent style throughout the book, loaded with wit and humor. Although Sedaris has a way with sarcasm and making fun of his family, there are also messages to be had underneath each of the short essays. He doesn't make them glaringly obvious or the major focus for the book, but one can tell that they are there on purpose. He reveals much to the reader in the literal interpretations of the essays in the book, but also in the subtext. Which is why I understand the title of the book and what it stands for.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5

Naked by David Sedaris may be short but don't let that fool you. This little book was HILARIOUS, and I absolutely adored the audio which is read by both David and his sister Amy.

I really can't believe how many things Sedaris has been through and everything that happens in his life. Naked talked about his mother getting cancer, but also his teachers/OCD and an incredibly entertaining foray into a nudist colony, along with many other topics. I love learning more about him in all these books I have been listening to, plus Amy's impressions in this one are solid gold and something you don't want to miss!

Unfortunately, I realized I listened to an abridged version so I'm not sure how much I missed, but hopefully not too much. This is the fourth book by Sedaris I have listened to in just a few short weeks, and since I am jumping out of order I'm not learning about his life in a linear fashion but that's ok. Naked might be my favorite of his yet, and I highly recommend the audio!

Final Thought: Have I mentioned how much I love David Sedaris? I can't add much more to this review other than it is a MUST LISTEN. Plus it comes in at just over 3 hours so it's such a quick listen. SO go out and get Naked and see how much you like it!

Always guaranteed a good laugh and there were plenty in this collection.

[Me, having just arrived a few geological eras late to the David Sedaris party]

"[panting] Ok, what did I miss? ... [room now populated with quizzical, condescending stares] ... I heard there's this author that's sort of like a gay Woody Allen, but without all the problematic sex stuff?

... Am I at the right address?"

اولین بار با سداریس توی همشهری داستان آشناشدم .طنزی صمیمی که آدم رو با خودش همراه می برد .توی این مجموعه هم داستان اولش یعنی طاعون تیک همین طور بود تا بقیه ذاستانها بخصوص خود داستان مادربزرگت رو از این جاببر.پدر ومادر بامزه هم دارد بخصوص مادرش

داستان هایی برای انسان تنهای امروزی!

Bei diesem Buch habe ich mich anfangs etwas schwer getan. Es hieß ja, dass Sedaris in den Kurzgeschichten, die in diesem Buch versammelt sind, sozusagen sein eigenes Leben beschreibt. Dass er da natürlich etwas übertreibt - hüstl - ist klar. Aber bereits die zweite Geschichte - Die Mackenplage - beschreibt den schrecklichen Alltag eines Kindes, das an unzähligen Tics und Zwangsstörungen leidet (ablecken des Briefkastens, die Nase gegen den Kühlschrank drücken usw.) und dessen Mutter, die ihn deswegen verlacht und schikaniert. Ich wusste erst nicht, ob das nun witzig gemeint war, oder ob der Autor die Tragik solch eines Lebens unterstreichen wollte.

Aber nach und nach wurde es besser. Die Übersetzung von Harry Rowohlt liest sich herrlich, vor allem seine tollen Wörter ("verkrumpeln" im Sinne von zerknüllen oder zerknittern) liebe ich heiß und innig! Bei vielen Geschichten musste ich lachen, z. B. bei "Zyklop", in der der Vater von David ständig irgendwelche haarsträubenden Geschichten von "Bekannten" erzählt, die durch irgendwelche grauenhaften Unfälle grässlich entstellt sind, um seinen Sohn vor allen möglichen Gefahren zu warnen. Da gibt es Knallfrösche, die in Schößen explodieren ("Hat seine Eier von der Landkarte getilgt"), Blitze, die einen zwischen die Augen treffen können ("Er hat ihn genau zwischen den Augen erwischt, (...) und ihm das Hirn verschmurgelt, dass er aussah wie ein Brathuhn."), Rasenmäher, die Beine abschneiden, weil man ungeschickt war ("Was nämlich passierte, ist, dass der Typ ausrutschte, wahrscheinlich auf einem Kackhaufen, und das Bein verfing sich in den rotierenden Messern!"), der FÜHRERSCHEIN ("Dieser Führerschein ist dein Todesurteil!") und andere Albträume.

Ob es nun die Perücke ist, die seine Mutter heimlich im Schlafzimmer trägt, oder die Matratze, die anscheinend "mit hochhackigen Schuhen" gefüllt ist - Sedaris bzw. Rowohlt hat einen Wortschatz, den man nur genießen kann. Ich werde sicherlich nach anderen Büchern des Autors Ausschau halten, es lohnt sich bestimmt.

I have a feeling that this guy will never run out of material

Review to come

Audiobook Comments
Read by David Sedaris and his sister (Amy Sedaris). It's always fun when the author reads their own book. Makes it feel so much more real.

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In Naked Sedaris focuses on his pre-fame child and young adulthood.
David's dry humor, observations and self-deprecating reflections on his upbringing are insightful, moving and always filled with hilarity.
Additional bonus: Amy Sedaris (his sister) co-narrates and truly makes this listen a family affair. Amazing.

۲-۳ تا داستان خنده دار خوب داشت و باقی چندان چنگی به دل نزد.

The section about his father warning him that basically everything (for example, wood shop or mowing the lawn) was a major accident waiting to happen...I’m not sure I’ve ever laughed so hard.

A quick audio listen at just over hours. I enjoyed listening to David, and had many laugh out loud moments, but missed the softer/sadder moments in Calypso. I think the difference is that in Naked he is looking back and sharing his childhood stories, but in Calypso he is sharing his current life.

Can't wait for him to publish something new.