So often Sedaris's phrasing is beautiful in its piquancy and minimalism...His life is extraordinary in so many ways - the drug addiction, the eccentric family, the crazy jobs, the fame, the globetrotting - but one of the more unlikely achievements here is in making it all seem quite ordinary. Ultimately, his masterstroke is in acting as a bystander in his own story * Guardian *
He makes me laugh so much. In an era when US satire is outpacing our own he's a sharp, humane and hilarious voice that never fails to make you smile - and sometimes weep. Apparently effortless humour is difficult, and precious. He's the real thing -- James Naughtie * Radio Times *
A deadpan, darkly comical portrait of the American underbelly . . . Sedaris shares something of [Alan] Bennett's detached curiosity, and they both have a thirst for amusement -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *
These are scenes of family life at its best, written with clarity but also with great affection, through which the character of the author emerges, watchful, self-mocking and full of understanding. * TLS *
This is a man who could capture your heart and lift your spirits while reading out the ingredients of a rice cake. OBSERVER * 'Mr Sedaris's humour is dry, witty and consistently successful.' *
ECONOMIST * 'Sedaris is like an updated Thurber: domestic, laconic, slightly warped but never bitter, and extremely funny.' *
CULTURE, SUNDAY TIMES * 'His best, funniest, most satisfying book.' *
