When You Are Engulfed in Flames is an audiobook by David Sedaris, narrated by David Sedaris. The unabridged Audible edition runs 9 hrs 3 mins.
Publisher’s Summary
A masterful collection of essays from America’s most beloved humorist that will take readers to wilder and more entertaining heights than ever.
“The preeminent humorist of his generation … His reluctant charm and talent for observing every inch of the human condition remain intact.” ―Entertainment Weekly
In this hilarious volume, Sedaris proceeds from the bizarre conundrums of daily life—having a lozenge fall from your mouth into the lap of a fellow passenger on a plane or armoring the windows with LP covers to protect the house from neurotic songbirds—to the most deeply resonant human truths. Culminating in a brilliant account of his venture to Tokyo in order to quit smoking, David Sedaris’s sixth essay collection is a masterpiece of comic writing.
“Older, wiser, smarter and meaner … Sedaris defies the odds once again by delivering an intelligent take on the banalities of an absurd life.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Sedaris’s best stuff will still—after all this time—move, surprise, and entertain.” —Booklist
Audiobook Details
- Narrated by: David Sedaris
- Length: 9 hrs 3 mins
- Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
- Release year: 2008
- Audible category: LGBTQ+ / Biographies & Memoirs / Literature & Fiction
Listener Ratings
When You Are Engulfed in Flames holds an average listener rating of 4.4/5 from 10813 Audible ratings.
On Audible, ratings for this title break down into narration performance and story separately:
- Performance (narration): 4.7/5
- Story: 4.5/5
- 5-star ratings: 63% of all ratings
What Audible Listeners Are Saying
3/5 stars — “A more sombre Sedaris”
I wished I liked this as much other reviewers but the fact is I didn’t find this as funny as other Sedaris titles I’ve listened to. Don’t get me wrong there were still plenty of bits that had me suppressing laughs on crowded buses and David Sedaris is a perfect narrator…That said there were lots of essays where I wasn’t sure if he was going for humour or more serious writing and if it was supposed to be serious it didn’t work for me.
I don’t see a lot of humour in his relationship with Hugh, his love of spiders or his friendship with the village pedophile. I would suggest listening to some of his earlier books before this one.— Joseph, Audible listener
5/5 stars — “Get ready to lol”
Okay, when you are on the subway or listening to this out in public, get ready for people to stare at you… You will be laughing and smiling with out realizing.No matter the mood you are in, this will make you feel better!
— Veena, Audible listener
5/5 stars — “Sedaris’ latest book rocks”
David Sedaris’ latest book is amazing, discomforting, thought provoking, humane, and, of course, very funny. It is a must-listen.— Suzanne Haraburd, Audible listener
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