Subject
David Sedaris
From
Date
Body
From: Mark Bennett <mab@straussandasher.com>
If this is a representative example of Mr. Sedaris' humor, I'll pass.
** David Sedaris, who is often heard on NPR, is less of a "humorist," it
seems to me, than a cultural parodist. His parodies are often quite
dark as well as blunt, and probably uncomfortable to some. He does not
really spare any cultural "icons," including little children -- as is
evident in his oft-broadcast story of playing a Santa Claus in a
department store during a Christmas season. This particular story, I
have to admit, makes me too plenty uneasy. GD***
From: Neil Spence <NSpence@2roam.com>
In his latest book of humorous essays, _Me Talk Pretty One Day_, writer
David Sedaris makes a reference to VN. In a piece called _The Late Show_,
Sedaris relates several "epic daydreams" he makes up for himself while
trying to fall asleep. In one of these scenarios, "I've Got a Secret",
Sedaris is "a pretty, slightly chubby White House intern who's had a brief
affair with the president of the United States." (S)he refuses to talk to
reporters or to testify at hearings, and is sent to prison. "After prison I
publish a novel under an assumed name. The book is _Lolita_ word for word,
and I'm allowed to write it because, under the conditions of the fantasy,
Vladimir Nabokov never existed. Because it is so magnificent, my book
creates a huge stir. Reporters go hunting for the author; when they discover
it's me, I think, Goddamnit, can't you people find anything better to do? I
now have a reputation as both a dignified enigma and a genius, but I don't
want people reading _Lolita_ because I wrote it. My masterpiece is demeaned
by their pointless search for a hidden autobiographical subtext, so I give
up writing, live off the money I've made from careful stock investments, and
quietly spend the rest of my life sleeping with professional football
players."
Cheers,
Neil Spence
San Francisco
If this is a representative example of Mr. Sedaris' humor, I'll pass.
** David Sedaris, who is often heard on NPR, is less of a "humorist," it
seems to me, than a cultural parodist. His parodies are often quite
dark as well as blunt, and probably uncomfortable to some. He does not
really spare any cultural "icons," including little children -- as is
evident in his oft-broadcast story of playing a Santa Claus in a
department store during a Christmas season. This particular story, I
have to admit, makes me too plenty uneasy. GD***
From: Neil Spence <NSpence@2roam.com>
In his latest book of humorous essays, _Me Talk Pretty One Day_, writer
David Sedaris makes a reference to VN. In a piece called _The Late Show_,
Sedaris relates several "epic daydreams" he makes up for himself while
trying to fall asleep. In one of these scenarios, "I've Got a Secret",
Sedaris is "a pretty, slightly chubby White House intern who's had a brief
affair with the president of the United States." (S)he refuses to talk to
reporters or to testify at hearings, and is sent to prison. "After prison I
publish a novel under an assumed name. The book is _Lolita_ word for word,
and I'm allowed to write it because, under the conditions of the fantasy,
Vladimir Nabokov never existed. Because it is so magnificent, my book
creates a huge stir. Reporters go hunting for the author; when they discover
it's me, I think, Goddamnit, can't you people find anything better to do? I
now have a reputation as both a dignified enigma and a genius, but I don't
want people reading _Lolita_ because I wrote it. My masterpiece is demeaned
by their pointless search for a hidden autobiographical subtext, so I give
up writing, live off the money I've made from careful stock investments, and
quietly spend the rest of my life sleeping with professional football
players."
Cheers,
Neil Spence
San Francisco