David Sedaris, author of the previous bestsellers Calypso, Naked, Me Talk Pretty One Day, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, regular National Public Radio, and New Yorker magazine contributor, did a reading at Meridian Hall in Toronto following the release of his newest books, The Best of Me and A Carnival of Snackery. This was a special preview for this multi-city USA tour that begins this month. This was an opportunity for him to try out some new material for yet another new book he mentioned he has coming out in June, and also a chance to connect with his beloved Canadian audience via a Q&A and pre/post book signing sessions.

With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, Mr. Sedaris has become one of America’s pre-eminent humour writers. The great skill with which he slices through cultural euphemisms and political correctness proves that Sedaris is a master of satire and one of the most observant writers addressing the human condition today. His new book, The Best of Me (Little Brown/ Hachette, Fall 2020), is a collection of 42 previously published stories and essays. If you love David Sedaris’s cheerfully misanthropic stories, you might think you know what you’re getting into at his live readings. You’d be wrong. To see him read his own work on stage allows his autobiographical narrative to reveal a uniquely personal narrative that will keep you laughing throughout the evening.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW

Stepping on stage dressed in a black coat tail jacket, with a “white women’s dress and white shoes”, as he described it, he was ready to get playful with the audience. His appearance had been postponed several times due to the pandemic, and he acknowledged that by stating he was surprised anyone even remembered to show up this time. He began the show by reading a previously published piece in the New Yorker, one that pertained to his father’s recent passing. It soon became clear that his relationship with his father was always strained right from the get go. He didn’t specifically say it was because of him being gay, but that most certainly had something to do with it.

His father disapproved of his creative endeavors, such as pursuing a writing career, and he was always very competitive with David and often criticizing and condescending right up until this dying days. The final nail in the coffin, so to speak, was being the only sibling to be left out of the will and not receive any inheritance. David’s rebuttal to his was, “Well, at least I’ll make money off of you after your death.” I’d say that’s a way to even the score!

He also read several newer pieces he had written in his “diary series,” that included context from his previous booking signing sessions, and general views on life. The short one/two liners came off as the wittiest and brought the most laughter, and for those that didn’t work so well, he acknowledged those as well. Overall, the audience seemed enthralled and overall happy with his performance. Sedaris truly is a unique storyteller.

Friday March 25, 2022 – Meridian Hall – 1 Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5E 1B2

This is an all-ages event. Doors open at 7:00pm, performance begins at 8:00pm.

Tickets

You can Follow David On Facebook and Instagram.

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.