Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim :: Education by Design Store

Editorial Review
It just isn't fair: most of us would be lucky to be able to express ourselves in writing half as well as David Sedaris does in his new book, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. But on top of his skills with the written word, the author also has substantial gifts as a performer, and he proves this on the audio version of the book. In his essay The Change in Me,Sedaris remembers that his mother was good at imitating people, and it's clear that he takes after her. Whether he's doing impressions of high-voiced brother Paul, or recalling times when he and his sisters tried to win good karma by speaking and acting like well-behaved, fairytale children, Sedaris's nuanced performance hits the right note on both the opening, comedic stories, and the more poignant essays that tend to come later in the reading. In fact, for those who have already read some of the best stories in other publications including The New Yorker, the CD or cassette version of this collection is probably the best bet for furthering your appreciation of the material.Sedaris's career is closely linked with two things: audio (he was discovered by NPR's Ira Glass), and the personal lives of himself and his family. In Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, he describes fights with his boyfriend, and his sister-in-law's difficult pregnancy. When sister Lisa complains about the stories involving the family, he writes about that, too. Sedaris's latest provides more evidence that he is a great humorist, memoirist and raconteur, and readers are lucky to have the opportunity to know him so well. Perhaps they are luckier still not to know him personally. --Leah Weathersby
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Customer Reviews

This book is a truly enjoyable read.

2008-07-27
If you like the dry wit of David Sedaris you will love this book. Even if you don't know who he is, once you have read the first page you will probably love this book.

Seeing the world through the author's eyes for a while helps us to remember the little absurdities we experience every day and, somehow, cherish them for a moment rather than let them drive us stark, raving, looney.

Thank you Mr. Sedaris, for reminding us to treasure even the stranger moments that make up the life of a human being.

Dress your family in corduroy and denim

2008-07-22
I NEVER have received the book...I got charged for it but can't get a response back from anyone!!!!!!

So disappointed

2008-07-18
I had to read this book for a book club and it was very difficult to get through. The story was all over the place and it just didn't have a flow and continuity to it. I enjoy Sedaris' work and was shocked that I had such a hard with this book. Try it for yourself and let's discuss.

charasmatic

2008-07-11
makes you fall in love with his unremarkable characters, who do nothing grand and simply just...live

More poignant than humorous

2008-07-03
I don't believe that Sedaris intended a hilarious read like Me Talk Pretty One Day. While reading this book, all I could think was that he was pouring his heart out about some very painful events in his life and about painful observations about humanity (the chapter about TV, for instance) but had to throw in some comedy for those who expect it from him. I read this book and laughed out loud a number of times, but I also cried a few times. This book was very well written and is funny but also painful at times.

Pleasing introduction

2008-06-10
It just isn't fair: most of us would be lucky to be able to express ourselves in writing half as well as David Sedaris does in his new book, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. But on top of his skills with the written word, the author also has substantial gifts as a performer, and he proves this on the audio version of the book. In his essay The Change in Me,Sedaris remembers that his mother was good at imitating people, and it's clear that he takes after her. Whether he's doing impressions of high-voiced brother Paul, or recalling times when he and his sisters tried to win good karma by speaking and acting like well-behaved, fairytale children, Sedaris's nuanced performance hits the right note on both the opening, comedic stories, and the more poignant essays that tend to come later in the reading. In fact, for those who have already read some of the best stories in other publications including The New Yorker, the CD or cassette version of this collection is probably the best bet for furthering your appreciation of the material.Sedaris's career is closely linked with two things: audio (he was discovered by NPR's Ira Glass), and the personal lives of himself and his family. In Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, he describes fights with his boyfriend, and his sister-in-law's difficult pregnancy. When sister Lisa complains about the stories involving the family, he writes about that, too. Sedaris's latest provides more evidence that he is a great humorist, memoirist and raconteur, and readers are lucky to have the opportunity to know him so well. Perhaps they are luckier still not to know him personally. --Leah Weathersby

another good book by David sedaris

2008-03-22
This book is my Fav. of Sedaris. You feel like you are part of the family while reading this book. There are some very funny parts that had me laughing out loud. Enjoy

yet another whimsical memoir by David Sedaris..

2008-03-14
David Sedaris, the lucky devil, has the rare knack of being able to produce humorous, well-written insights to everyday activity. It also helps that his everyday activity includes dealing with his somewhat peculiar family (...David Sedaris himself is a bit odd). In 'Dress Your Family...' we have a collection of somewhat random vignettes of his life. Again most of these are quite funny, sometimes down right hilarious. But unfortunately, a handful of them are somewhat dull or even a bit confusing. On balance the book is a lighthearted read that is likely to make David Sedaris fans of its readers.

Bottom line: recommended.

Excellent! Highly recommended!

2008-03-02
This book stood out on the shelf. At the time i purchased it i knew nothing of David's works and boy was I in for a surprise! Reading David's collections is one of those guilty pleasures you just cant describe to people. This book is by far one of my all time favorites. I look forward to his new title "when you are engulfed in flames".

Worth Reading

2008-02-29
This was my first Sedaris book. I didn't quite know what to make of it when I started reading it, but it grew on me. Sedaris has to grow on you. His books seem to be a compilation of short stories about his life...a strange life. Anything he writes is entertaining and he's a comfortable, easy-to-read writer. Recommend.