Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary » (Unabridged, 3 CDs)

Starting with his deadpan, disarmingly funny pieces on NPR and continuing with his collections of short fiction and essays, David Sedaris is one of the best, sharpest humorists writing today. His quirky history and family are rich material, but he's also just as hilarious simply satirizing Christmas cards or mocking his own vices.

Featuring David Sedaris's unique blend of hilarity and heart, this new collection of keen-eyed animal-themed tales is an utter delight. Though the characters may not be human, the situations in these stories bear an uncanny resemblance to the insanity of everyday life.

In "The Toad, the Turtle, and the Duck," three strangers commiserate about animal bureaucracy while waiting in a complaint line. In "Hello Kitty," a cynical feline struggles to sit through his prison-mandated AA meetings. In "The Squirrel and the Chipmunk," a pair of star-crossed lovers is separated by prejudiced family members.

Publishers Weekly

Like a modern-day Aesop or La Fontaine, Sedaris has his darkly comic and deeply cynical (if somewhat rambling) morality stories enacted by animals. Although Sedaris typically narrates his works solo, here he is joined by Dylan Baker, Siân Phillips, and (the incomparable) Elaine Stritch. The dry tones of both women are particularly well suited to the knowing commentary offered by various domesticated, barnyard, and wild animals on casual racism, self-congratulatory sanctimony, poor excuses for adultery, and fad spiritualism, among other common societal ills. The audiobook features a bonus fable not available in the text version of the book; in addition, the third CD includes PDFs of the book's illustrations by Ian Falconer (writer/illustrator of the Olivia picture book series). A Little, Brown hardcover. (Sept.)

The Cat and the Baboon 3

The Migrating Warblers 9

The Squirrel and the Chipmunk 15

The Toad, the Turtle, and the Duck 22

The Motherless Bear 29

The Mouse and the Snake 41

The Parenting Storks 51

The Faithful Setter 60

The Crow and the Lamb 75

The Sick Rat and the Healthy Rat 85

The Cow and the Turkey 92

The Vigilant Rabbit 101

The Judicious Brown Chicken 109

The Parrot and the Potbellied Pig 119

Hello Kitty 131

The Grieving Owl 141