Authors: David Sedaris, Dylan Baker (Narrated by), Elaine Stritch (Narrated by), Sian Phillips
ISBN-13: 9781607886464, ISBN-10: 1607886464
Format: MP3 Book
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Date Published: September 2010
Edition: Unabridged
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.
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