Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
I had really, really high expectations for Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris. I knew it was either a love or hate it type book, but people were leaning more towards the LOVE it scale. Plus, I’ve never read anything by Sedaris and he’s been on my radar for awhile because people can’t stop raving about him. So I was kind of bummed when I just didn’t get it. I don’t know what I was expecting. Maybe rolling around on the floor with stitches in my side? Yeah, that didn’t happen. I understand that you have to have this certain kind of sense of humor and appreciate the irony of his stories. I got it. I just didn’t think it was funny. In fact, I can see the tight line that Sedaris walks between being humorous or being offensive.
In twelve Christmas essays David Sedaris covers everything from being a Santa elf, neighbor competition, explaining the Easter Bunny to the French, and even murder. Luckily, it’s a fast read. Is this destined to be a Christmas classic? Yes. But probably not at my house.
I still want to try another one of his books to see if this was just a fluke. Which one should I read first?
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Category: Adult, Book Reviews, Fiction
Tags: Christmas, E-H Title, published 2008, Q-T Author, short stories
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I know this is an unpopular opinion, but I frankly find Sedaris to be too offensive for me. I read about 30 pages of one of his books and finally put it down – it was just too much.
But I know everyone else thinks he’s pretty much the most hilarious man alive.
on December 24th, 2008 at 10:59 amI have this book as part of the “Christmas book stack” that comes out every year, but still haven’t gotten around to reading it, although I’m told “The Santaland Diaries” is not to be missed.
Humor’s a personal thing, though, and very few things are funny to EVERYONE. At least you gave it a shot, though.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Natasha!
on December 24th, 2008 at 11:34 amI haven’t read anything by Sedaris yet, but always laugh at his monologues on NPR. His delivery is a big part of it.
on December 24th, 2008 at 11:59 amI find this to be the worst of Sedaris’ books…I’m a big fan of his though, but this one just didn’t do it for me…I’d give it a 2.5/5. My favorite is his 2008 release, When You Are Engulfed in Flames. Much better.
on December 24th, 2008 at 1:04 pmI did not enjoy the book either. It is wrapped and intended for my brother in law who’s sense of humour will appreciate it better than mine.
on December 24th, 2008 at 1:18 pmI must be living under a rock because I’ve never heard of this author before???
on December 24th, 2008 at 3:42 pmJanssen – He was walking a tight line with me. I cringed whenever he used the word retarded.
Florinda – Merry Christmas to you!! Yeah, at least I tried it.
Clark – I’ve never listened to him before. I bet I would have enjoyed this more had I been able to hear his voice.
Chris – I’ve heard a lot of great things about that book. I’d be willing to give it a try.
Mari – Glad to know I’m not the only one.
Laura H. – Don’t worry. I’ve only heard of him in the last six months or so.
on December 24th, 2008 at 4:59 pmDefinitely not his best work, I also had high exceptions after reading When You Are Engulfed in Flames. I enjoyed some of his stories in that book and some I didn’t. I track down all his books and am currently going through them to see if he’s worth all the talk, but really Holidays on Ice was just really really bad.
on December 25th, 2008 at 4:31 pmYou’re probably getting the idea now that this was not his best work. In fact, my wife says that many of the stories were included in other collections and were the weakest ones in those collections. I didn’t even bother reading this, even though I’m the one that got it from the library. However, I would recommend Me Talk Pretty One Day, despite its vulgarity at times. Within context of his family, it is hilarious. I have When You Are Engulfed in Flames on my shelf and have yet to read.
on December 28th, 2008 at 9:41 amThere were some stories that I really enjoyed and thought were funny but others that I didn’t even really want to finish. The one about the TV producer and the one about the two competing families in particular were just downright weird and uncomfortable! I was a little disappointed but I think I’ll give his other essays a try.
on January 1st, 2009 at 4:27 pm