Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk

ByDavid Sedaris

Release Date: 2010-09-28
Genre: Humor

Score: 3.5

3.5

From 627 Ratings

Description

Featuring acclaimed humorist David Sedaris's unique blend of hilarity and heart, this illustrated collection of 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. In "The Toad, the Turtle, and the Duck," three strangers commiserate about animal bureaucracy while waiting in a complaint line. In "Hello Kitty," a cynical feline struggles to sit through his prison-mandated AA meetings. In "The Squirrel and the Chipmunk," a pair of star-crossed lovers is separated by prejudiced family members.

With original illustrations by #1 New York Times bestselling author Ian Falconer, these stories are David Sedaris at his most observant, poignant, and surprising.

"Wickedly funny ...These are some of Sedaris's best stories ... The animals have given Sedaris's humor some new teeth: tiny and sharp, and sometimes even ready to draw blood."―The Los Angeles Times

Reviews

Hilarious
4
By Dd00077
Adult guilty pleasures
I love David Sedaris but...
1
By mrtew
I love David Sedaris but this is the worst book I've ever tried to read. I forced myself to read about half of the stories in this collection of shock tales thinking I was going to 'get it' soon. Nope. Why write a book of stories that made animals look worse than people in one horrific crapload of nonsense and cruel intent after another. Now I'm scared to read his next one even though I totally loved all the ones before this. So horrible.
Funniest book ever!
5
By Taniacy
I loved listening to this book. And I actually have listened mulitple times. I can't wait to try more of his writing.
Entertaining the entire read.
5
By adiago1492
This was such a great book. I don't know where he comes up with this stuff but I love it. The stories were varied, entertaining, and sometimes really made you think. Couldn't recommend more.
Interesting
4
By Cheribeli
This is really a great take on the fables I used to read as a child. I actually did laugh quite a bit while reading this. It was also a quick read, which can be nice after a long day at work.
Let down
2
By Radfordsue
I love David Sedaris. I have read all his books and even seen him live. I waited 2 hours just to meet him. That said, I was very excited about his new book. I thought his new style would be a fun change. I was so wrong. Yes, there were a couple cute stories about sassy animals and their lives. But then it took a scary, sad turn. Some of these stories are just gruesome and disturbing. Skip this book and do not tarnish your love for David Sedaris.
When Aesop snapped
5
By Bofield8
This was a particularly good find. As one who doesn't hunker down with a huge novel all the time, but starts and restarts a couple, I found Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk to be perfect.
Perhaps it was the use of animals as mouthpieces that made me think of it, but there are some definite fable qualities in these stories. However, through Mr Sedaris, we get the manifestation of a (though still Greek), a modern day storyteller who calls'em as her sees'em. Of course, as with any David Sedaris book because of his history with NPR I found myself hearing his voice as I read, which added to the engagement with the book.
These stories of arrogance, phobia, ignorance, jealousy, pity and vanity, to name a few of humanity's not-so-endearing traits, are brought to light when coming from an entirely different species, genus, family or kingdom...but smoking, drinking and swearing like my Aunt Edith. It's like rolling your eyes after each time hearing your mother drone over and over, "your gonna poke your eye out with that thing!" and then finding that the mother used to poke people's eyes out as a wild teenager.
There's a shadow to these stories, and Mr Sedaris allows us a glimpse at that shadow, because there's a collective unconscious to the human condition that he's able to connect us to through the use of hens, pigs, gerbils and cats.
I didn't want the stories to end, and yet while reading them, my internal voice would continually mumble, "oh...my...god. Doesn't anyone get to experience and enjoy a little blissful ignorance?". But then, if the did, I would have felt cheated and patronized, and wouldn't have finished it...like the three other novels on my bedside table.
Do Not Bother - Worse Book Ever
1
By bossfocdg
I'm a huge David S. fan but have to say that this is garbage that I've ever read. NO publisher would print this book if it hadn't come from an established author with the knowledge fans of previous works would pick it up. The stories are disturbing for no point and not one laugh to be had. This is the stuff that a ten year old tells during sleep over while picking their nose.
Hysterical and moving
5
By Dana Welsh
Sedaris does it again with his witty truthful humor!
Just ok
3
By MKinSF64
Not his best work. Some clever and funny. Some disturbingly dark.