David Sedaris to bring unique brand of self-deprecating humor to College

Marcella Veneziale Arts Editor

“I wish…I could write a story about being beaten by a key chain.” It is bizarrely comical turns of thought such as this excerpt from a 2000 interview which best characterize David Sedaris’ work. And his work, of utmost importance to him, spans many categories. Most know him primarily as a witty and successful essayist who uses personal anecdotes to craft bestsellers such as Barrel Fever, Naked, and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. However, his start in the writing world came from a spot on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition, where he read stories which would later be integrated into his written works. On March 30, the acclaimed author will be speaking at Vassar.

The Alex Krieger ’95 Memorial Fund, which honors the memory of Alex Krieger who was killed in an automobile accident during his freshman year, hosts an annual lecture by a notable author or humorist. Previous speakers have included Michael Chabon in 2005, (The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay) Dave Eggers in 2004, (A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) and Christopher Buckley in 2003 (God Is My Broker). This year, winner of the Thurber Prize for
American Humor David Sedaris will deliver the lecture.

Since publishing house Little Brown offered Sedaris a book deal after happening upon his guest role on NPR, he has maintained a rigorous work ethic. Sedaris described the completion of a recent work, Me Talk Pretty One Day, in only seven months by maintaining a pattern of writing every day at the same time, as well as writing a certain amount per day that was up to standards of publication. Within a month, Sedaris had 30 pages of future bestseller material.

All of Sedaris’ books are based on personal experiences. In the climate of today’s literary world, in which fictionalized memoirs such as James Frey’s A Million Little Pieces have been publicly ridiculed for falsifying truth, Sedaris’ essayed memoirs have remained steadfast. He has said that it is often easier to write about one’s personal foibles and embarrassments than to joke about others’. In the 2000 interview he said, “I’m probably the worst person in this entire restaurant…I can fake otherwise, but I hate myself pretty much.

It would be easy for Sedaris’ style to degenerate into unfocused diary entries, but his writing is alert and shows the mark of an acutely-perceptive writer. In Me Talk Pretty One Day, Sedaris writes, “She was referring to the athletic rivalry between the Triangle area’s two largest universities. Those who cared about such things tended to express their allegiance by wearing either Tar Heel powder blue, or Wolf Pack red, two colors that managed to look good on no one.”

Sedaris began his adulthood as a performance artist after studying at the Chicago Institute of Art.
However, he has commented that he didn’t feel up to par with his peers, who he described as truly talented. Conversely, in 2000 he described his work as “some of the worst crap you’ve ever seen.” This could be truth, or just his self-deprecating brand of speech and writing, but the realization jumpstarted his writing career “when I realized what a terrible artist I was.” And in true Sedaris style, anecdotes in Me Talk Pretty One Day are drawn from these experiences as well.

Another major topic of discussion for Sedaris is his time spent in Europe. What began as an extended trip to France soon became a second home for the author, and he frequently muses on his dual citizenship and differences between his American home in New York and his French one. His comments on learning French are also a springboard for better understanding his home in the U.S. Sedaris has said, “It makes me think of all the people in New York who can’t speak English and must be terrified of the guy who comes to read their gas meter.” Of course, his misgivings in French are fodder for commentary, as he becomes the foreigner who cannot communicate.

Sedaris’ family is not exempt from commentary either, and stories of his parents’ or siblings’ antics are often the crux of his works. In fact, he is frequently recognized today for his famous sister, Amy Sedaris of Strangers with Candy. The two have collaborated on several plays, and also wrote a show which ran at Lincoln Center. As far-fetched as some of Sedaris’ tales seem, it is Amy who is known for her truly ridiculous comedic outbursts.

Whether you prefer Amy to her literarily-molded brother, it is unanimous that Sedaris has experienced tremendous success from his books. Sedaris had commented that he “didn’t expect the book [Me Talk Pretty One Day] to do so well. Sales figures and time on the New York Times bestseller list have disproved this, while also proving the author-as-his-own-worst-critic trope. Decide for yourself if Sedaris is as good as the critics have said, or if this is all just an act of self-deprecating farce. The author speaks at the Alex Krieger ’95 Memorial Lecture on March 30 at 7 PM in the Chapel.

Some Quotable Moments from Sedaris’ Books
Holidays on Ice: I am a thirty-three-year-old man applying for a job as an elf. I often see people on the streets dressed as objects and handing out leaflets but it breaks my heart to see a grown man dressed as a taco. So, if there is a costume involved, I tend not only to accept the leaflet, but to accept it graciously, saying, “Thank you so much,” and thinking, You poor, pathetic son of a bitch.”