David Sedaris: 97% True + 3% Fake = Non-Fiction

David Sedaris' latest book, When You Are Engulfed in Flames, came out earlier this week and he was the subject of this week's "Ten Questions" in Time. Given previous debate over how heavily Sedaris embellishes his stories (a good roundup of links on that topic can be found here), a Time reader asked whether Sedaris' books should be shelved in the fiction or the non-fiction section.

His answer:

Non-fiction. I've always been a huge exaggerator, but when I write something, I put it on a scale. And if it's 97% true, I think that's true enough. I'm not going to call it fiction because 3% of it isn't true.

Read all of Time's ten questions here, or read the AP review of When You Are Engulfed in Flames here.

Comments

[Topfeeder]

Have you ever seen him in concert? Go! You'll pee your pants. I've seen him a couple of times. He talks about about monkeys, which is interesting. I think monkeys and midgets (ahem, little people) are funny and was overjoyed to hear him say he loves both too. David, you and me at the Char-Grill one day soon.

[Stranded]

I was in David's class at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, which he describes in Me Talk Pretty One Day. I would say the percentage of truth in the account is fairly accurate. He was also a better teacher than his self-deprecating humor will allow.

[caseyblab]

What year was he teaching at the Art Institute?

[wordvarc]

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"A story told twice is fiction." (Dorothy Parker)

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[Bastet]

Just bought "When You Are Engulfed in Flames" yesterday - funny it came out the same week I (again) quit smoking - though I will not be moving to Tokyo anytime soon.
I LOVE David Sedaris! I have read ALL his books!
He's one of the rare writers that can make me laugh out loud while I'm reading them - in fact his story of his brother - (You Can't Kill the Rooster chapter from "Me Talk Pretty One Day"), oh my gawd - still will make me laugh till I cry.
I don't care that he exaggerates - what story teller doesn't? And I don't care if his books are shelved in fiction or non-fiction - they are still worth reading.
Big fan of Sedaris!

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

I know what you mean. The chapter in Me Talk Pretty where they go to the nouvelle cuisine restaurant is absolutely hysterical. Love him lots.

[starboymikey]

David Sedaris has one of the sharpest satirical minds going. My wife and I both love his books and audio recordings, and have seen him live. His account of riding the metro in Paris made me laugh as hard as anything has in years ... well, except for the account of his childhood obsessive compulsive disorders. If you don't think OCDs can be funny, you haven't read David Sedaris

Hey, his sister Amy ain't bad either. There's an audio recording of the two of them performing together, but I can't remember off hand what it's called. Should be easy to Google, though, if you're curious.

Can't wait to read his new book.

[johnnyjust]

I find him unreadable.

[Eoin45]

You actually read?

[sanywhere]

you are entitled to your opinion, but i don't agree. i think he is sharp and witty.

[Adjective]

If you can't read him, then listen to his audio books. Fun stuff for a long drive.

[koromuso]

I have a hard time reading his books because it's his sardonic delivery that cracks me up. I LOVE his audiobooks.

And to the snark who asked if Johnnyjust can read.....why? If someone else's taste is not identical to yours, you have to be rude about it?

[rmetz74]

Agreed. I always go for Sedaris's audiobooks.

And the responses to johnnyjust may be informed by a familiarity with him. Check out his profile, you'll see.

[caseyblab]

Can you read?

[xpresv]

LOL

[doublesvb]

david sedaris - i am your biggest fan. i actually thought Naked was funnier than Me Talk Pretty One Day. did't think it was possible
while I was at my son's football practice people thought I was absolutely bonkers because I was laughing out loud on the sidelines.
he is such a gifted story-teller.

[noillim]

I've been a huge fan of David Sedaris since Barrel Fever came out and after hearing him read The Santaland Diaries on NPR. I was lucky enough to see him read some of his stories live several years ago at an event (if you get a chance, I highly recommend it) and even got to meet him afterwards. His are the only books that I make sure to buy when they first come out. I was so excited when I heard he was coming out with When You Are Engulfed in Flames and have been thoroughly enjoying it so far. For anyone not familiar with his work, you really should give it a shot. Non-fiction or not, it really doesn't matter to me. He's brilliant at turning the truly twisted and absurd into something more than hilarious.

P.S. I'm a pretty big fan of his sister Amy as well. If you think David's bizarre, check out her old show Strangers with Candy.

[shockmagog]

I never read any of David Sedaris' books, but one of the best things about NPR's Morning Edition was listening to his great stories about being a Santa's elf, cleaning apartments, and whatnot.

[Azjhutch]

His story about his sister with mental problems when he ends by cleaning her house--heartbreaking! He's a great writer.

[Tommygun264]

Can you imagine growing up knowing the Sedaris family, with David and Amy Sedaris under the same roof? My mind reels at the thought. From what I can tell, they both got their dry wit from their late mother. David once wrote about the time that his cat died and he had to borrow the money for the cremation from his mother - the woman he had teased mercilessly when her own cat had passed away years earlier. He wrote that when he got the check from his mother, she had written in the "For:" section on the check, "Cat Burning". Joan Crawford's got nothing on that lady! What a peach! Amy said that she originally made the fat-bottomed body suit she wore while playing Gerry Blank in "Strangers with Candy" to play a prank on her father because he had constantly nagged her about her weight growing up. If only we all had the talent to turn a profit from our own childhood dysfunction.

It's been said that you should never meet your heroes. If that's the case, I hope I never meet David and Amy Sedaris (and I'm sure they hope they never meet me as well ;-).

[zizyphus]

Me Talk Pretty One Day ranks as one of the most hysterical books ever. I laughed out loud so many times. What an incredible wit. I am happy to hear of his new book!

[scottyboi84]

I thought this author sounded familiar. I absolutely loved "Me Talk Pretty One Day". That has been one of my favorite novels for quite some time. Me high school English teacher gave it to me while I was going through a lot of things at home and I found a lot of relief in it. I've lent it to a friend in college in California, she loved it and went and bought her own copy. I will probably check this book out if it's anything like Me Talk, I'm sure I will be pleased.

[starboymikey]

Me Talk Pretty One Day ranks as one of the most hysterical books ever.
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That piece is truly brilliant. Right up there with Mark Twain's "The Awful German Language," which it called to mind when I read it.

[Topfeeder]

You can't kill the Rooster! You can't kill the Rooster!

[vabear61]

I hope this is just an effort to get some press for David- I won't care if his book is 0% truth and they put it in the cooking section- I read all his works and he completely cracks me up every time. Thanks for giving me the heads up that he has a new book out!! I'm on my way to buy it now!

[TXOBAMAGIRL73]

I so enjoyed him on TDS last night he as a razor sharp wit ...I love people like that ...Funny is as funny does.. My play on Forrest Gump

[Jinxykb]

I love David Sedaris.

[Amennyc]

Augusten Burroughs has nothing compared to Sedaris. David is brilliant!