Holiday reading can often be stuffy and repetitive. The same handful of jolly, moral-heavy stories year after year leaves little in the way of literary excitement. This is where David Sedaris comes in.
David Sedaris, the Author
The name David Sedaris is instantly recognized as one of the most important American humorists of this generation. He has written several books including Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, Holidays on Ice and When You Are Engulfed in Flames. Sedaris was honored in 2001 by Time magazine as Humorist of the Year.
Holidays On Ice Re-released
Originally released in 1997, Holidays on Ice is David Sedaris' collection of holiday-themed stories, that became an instant bestseller. Re-released in 2008, the new collection contains 12 essays, six of them not included in the original version and one previously unpublished story.
A Sedaris novice might find this collection a bit too varied, but anyone who is accustomed to his laugh out loud style of writing will feel right at home with this book. Themes range from a satire on the materialism of the holidays, what it's like to spend time in a medical examiner's office, the uncomfortable atmosphere that is elementary school holiday plays and bringing a prostitute home for the holidays.
One of the best stories of the bunch is the first one of the book, SantaLand Diaries. Sedaris recalls his experience as a department store elf, working with Santa during one fateful holiday season. From the overbearing parents posing their children in front of Santa for one-too-many pictures and videos and the elf training class that new elves must undergo before officially becoming a Macy's elf, Sedaris hits on every angle of this fascinating seasonal job.
Another memorable tale is Let it Snow where Sedaris recalls a lengthy snow storm that forced him and his siblings to stay home from school longer than any parent could tolerate. Thus the story goes on to recount what happens when Mom forces the kids to go outside and play so that she could partake in some wine and quiet.
Other standout stories included in this new edition include Six to Eight Black Men which gets its jokes from holiday cultural differences, Season's Greetings which capitalizes on the humor in one dysfunctional family and The Cow and The Turkey, the previously unpublished story that tells the story of a barnyard Secret Santa.
This book would make a great stocking stuffer for someone who enjoys their humor on the slightly twisted side or anyone looking for a new addition to their holiday book collection.
Book Stats:
Holidays On Ice by David Sedaris
ISBN# 0316035904
Little, Brown & Company, 2008
Hardcover, 176 pages
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