Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk:
A Modest Bestiary

by

David SEDARIS

WHY I DID NOT LIKE THIS BOOK

I discovered David Sedaris with Me Talk Pretty One Day, and since then I have read all his books and/or listened to them, with always much pleasure and long long laughs.

Have a look at the Editorial Reviews on Amazon.com for Me Talk Pretty One Day, and you will have an idea.

Now interestingly enough, there are only a few Editorial Reviews for Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk, Sedaris’s latest book, and they don’t sound that exciting.

When I discovered that Sedaris was preparing to publish this new book, I waited with much impatience. I listened to it, and I have to say I’m extremely disappointed. There may be a few funny passages, but I never “laughed out loud” with this one. I understand what he is doing there, but I think it’s done in a too dry tone. Moreover, all the endings fall definitely flat. Besides, I was exasperated by the music scores between each story.

So I wonder, why is it that great authors become average after a few books? I keep running into the same disappointment with my favorite authors. Are they too greedy, and are they rushing into publishing a new book before having a good ripe inspiration? Is it that they don’t take time to dig deep enough into their own proper genius? I can imagine how easy it can be to fall into the addiction of writing to be published – I wrote a book myself, and once it was published, I wanted to publish a second one right after; fortunately, I could not find the time for it that early. And I did not even make the type of money Sedaris or other best seller authors make.

What do you think? How do you explain this?

Have you had the same kind of experience?

ABOUT THE BOOK

Featuring David Sedaris’s unique blend of hilarity and heart, this new collection of keen-eyed animal-themed tales is an utter delight. Though the characters may not be human, the situations in these stories bear an uncanny resemblance to the insanity of everyday life.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Sedaris is a regular contributor to The New Yorker and Public Radio International’s This American Life. He is the author of the books When You Are Engulfed in Flames, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Naked, and Barrel Fever.

OTHER REVIEWS

“A joy to read….Sedaris [is] a connoisseur of human nature at its worst.” (Boston Globe Christopher Muther )

“The preeminent humorist of his generation.” (Entertainment Weekly Whitney Pastorek )

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