Barrel Fever: Stories and Essays (original 1994; edition 1995)

I listen to it as a book on tape (yes book on tape it was a thrift store find. On tape is the best way to experience Sedaris' books. ( )

I believe this is David Sedaris's first book. It is more a book of gay humor, satirical and a bit cruel, than of personal experiences, enlightened by humor. It's a bit on the crazy side, like he has just let go of all his filters and lets whatever comes to him land on the page. No, I am sure not all filters. He takes a subject and just runs with it, wherever his wild imagination will go.

I wasn't excited by it. I suspect others like it or will like it a lot more than I did. ( )

This was my first venture into Sedaris and I was thoroughly entertained. These stories and essays are very strong-willed none are alike, and they each reach so high and deliver that it is a great enjoyment to read them. This was great!

4.75 stars! ( )

This first collection of Sedaris' is a mix of fiction and essays. The first couple of stories started things off to a rocky start but gets back on track with stories full of his trademark sarcastic humor which I find really funny. The last essay, Santaland Diaries, is a classic and should be read every Christmas. ( )

I recommend reading this collection AFTER you've already read (and loved) Sedaris' other work. These stories aren't nearly as funny or as well-crafted and stylized. ( )