A Carnival of Snackery

ByDavid Sedaris

Release Date: 2021-10-05
Genre: Fiction & Literature

Score: 4.5

4.5

From 241 Ratings

Description

There’s no right way to keep a diary, but if there’s an entertaining way, David Sedaris seems to have mastered it.

If it’s navel-gazing you’re after, you’ve come to the wrong place; ditto treacly self-examination. Rather, David Sedaris's observations turn outward: a fight between two men on a bus, a fight between two men on the street, pedestrians being whacked over the head or gathering to watch as a man considers leaping to his death. There’s a dirty joke shared at a book signing, then a dirtier one told at a dinner party—lots of jokes here. Plenty of laughs.

These diaries remind you that you once really hated George W. Bush, and that not too long ago, Donald Trump was just a harmless laughingstock, at least on French TV. Time marches on, and Sedaris, at his desk or on planes, in hotel dining rooms and odd Japanese inns, records it.

The entries here reflect an ever-changing background—new administrations, new restrictions on speech and conduct. What you can say at the start of the book, you can’t by the end. A Carnival of Snackery is a sort of sampler: the bitter and the sweet. Some entries are just what you wanted. Others you might want to spit discreetly into a napkin.

“Sedaris is a singularly talented humorist.” —The Washington Post

A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice

Reviews

I laughed so hard, a woman in a bar asked if I was ok
5
By VacaKat
So incredibly funny. I tend to read in brewpubs and diners, alone (because the love of my life died three years ago). Now all the locals think I’m a wee bit off. But I’m not. I’m laughing while eating/drinking because this book is hilarious, and it makes me feel better about being a wee bit off.
He Can’t Be Old Since His Voice is Apparently Still Changing
5
By Kristin2555
David Sedaris never fails to deliver. His stories may sound unique to him and his crazy family, but really they illustrate universal truths. Delivered with wonderful, subtle humor and deadpan charm. David’s expressive yet soothingly modulated voice always brings the delivery of his works home. Which is why I was sorry to hear him share the stage reading this book - no offense, Tracey, you are lovely, too, you’re just not David. Which I’ve just realized isn’t relevant in this review of a DIGITAL book, but I’m leaving this comment in my review anyway as my way of saying, “Yes, I HAVE purchased David’s books as paper copies, and as digital copies, AND as Audible versions.” He’s that good! Buy it, read it, listen to it, and share it. Our world will be a little bit better for it.
Better Than Naked
5
By nickname#44
David Sedaris is a national treasure; a modern Mark Twain.