Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim ~ David Sedaris

The latest Sedaris collection. That in itself was reason enough to buy it. Some stories in his previous books made me laugh out loud, and there are not many writers around capable of achieving that.

However, knowing his earlier work, I am also familiar with this themes and hang-ups. And I already got to know his family, which he writes extensively about in this book. They have become a familiar cast of characters.

So, while I was reading the templates behind the stories were visible, and the fun to be had was only in the newly worked out details. And something else: I’d already read most of the stories collected here online. Like his take on Sinterklaas [pdf].

Which leads me to the conclusion I really read this book as if I had been watching the rerun of a favourite sitcom late at night. There was enough enjoyment in it to stay put and finish it immediately, but somehow it left me feeling rather empty afterwards.

[the sleeve photograph of the book was done by an “oote boe”, oddly enough]