Humorist/Essayist David Sedaris graced Austin with his presence yesterday to promote his latest collection When You are Engulfed in Flames. I stumbled upon his signing a couple weeks ago during my music shopping rounds. My brother Brian is a huge fan of David’s work so I called him to see if he owned the new book. Obviously the answer was no, but he also knew what he would be soon receiving in the mail. Me? I’m a casual fan yet I do enjoy book signings, listening to the author read the work in his or her voice which gives you some insight on how it “should” flow, for example, James Ellroy reads in the same manner as a beatnik poet, and getting my face time with the writer.
You’re probably now asking, “Where’s the picture then you name-dropping windbag?” Mr. Sedaris doesn’t like having his picture taken and the Book People staff made this very, very clear before he appeared. I already saw it on the voucher when I bought it two weeks ago. I could show you the autograph yet I want to keep it a surprise for Brian, this is his belated birthday present. We did speak briefly. I told him how my brother is his biggest fan in Chicago. David smiled, offered me some candy and asked if I worked at an Apple store since I still had my badge on. No I replied, I work in the call center supporting servers. David seemed baffled over what a server was then told me about the problems he’s having with his MacBook Air. I recommended the people I know at the Domain but he was going to wait for the store in San Francisco when he had more time. Contrary to how David’s stories flow, our exchange was enjoyable.
It’s a good thing I took a half-day from work too. Originally, I was going to split at noon until a long-ass call kept me chained to the phone for 90 minutes. Luck was my on side to salvage a victory. I managed to be twelfth in queue and maybe I’ve made a new friend with the lady I waited in line with; a fellow Midwesterner from the Chicago area who attended Illinois and Wisconsin!
This signing was unusual. Normally, everyone waits around the second floor for several hours. The author descends the stairs because he is hiding out in a special part of the third floor. (I think there’s a secret entrance with an elevator for this.) There’s a reading followed by some Q&A and then it concludes with the signings. David’s kicked off early so he did several dozen signings to unwind, took a short break and then proceeded to read. Being number 12 was awesome, just hard to find a spot to sit.
David chose to kick off with “Of Mice and Men,” a very funny tale about a conversation starter not working out well during a trip to NYC. This was followed by an excerpt from his current work in progress involving animals; a modernization of Aesop’s Fables but lacking the morality as he said. It was a hilarious, mean-spirited story involving a male ladybug and how the insect kingdom shares humanity’s gender misperceptions. Think of Francis from A Bug’s Life, just more R-rated in language and demeanor. David read random entries from his diary too. The man makes me jealous while he impresses. He has a wit and gift for observation that amazes.
Finally, the Q&A.
- Who would he wait in line to see for a signed book? Garrison Keillor was his first pick followed by several others, yet he was firm on Garrison.
- How did he feel about Strangers with Candy (the show starring his sister Amy)? He thought it was okay, he just doesn’t see it the same way for obvious reasons.
- Does his family feel their privacy has been invaded by his books? No. David then apologized if his immediate reply seemed hostile. Firstly, he said readers think they know his family yet he doesn’t tell intimate, ultra-personal details, only the amusing anecdotes involving them. Secondly, they always see what he plans to submit and can request omissions. He doesn’t have a policy of “oh you wait until my next book comes out, you’ll get yours.”
- If there was one person in the world he could torture that deserved it, who would it be? Robert Mugabe. However, he wouldn’t do anything directly, just leave him exposed for the people of Zimbabwe to have their vengeance over the dictator’s selfishness.
- How is the movie of Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim coming? It’s dead. He decided against it and is relieved.
- How did he feel about his time on The Daily Show? It was great because it was unlike all the other talk shows he’s appeared on and the producer who did the pre-interview was right, it was over before he knew it. Finally, Jon Stewart is a genuinely nice host as well as short.
There was more, those are the only parts I remember well. Maybe the new friend will post and correct me on what I got wrong. I wish I remembered clearly what were his book recommendations, maybe they’ll be listed in next week’s Austin Chronicle; they were interviewing him upstairs. David is a very generous person with his time; he will sign everything and have a sincere chat with everyone who asks. This explained why Book People and his publicist limited the event to 500. In closing he thanked everyone for coming to see him, he was humbled by the turn out, especially in the Central Texas heat (I was in the shade most of the time, phew!). David loves what he does too. He meets so many interesting people and learns interesting terms, namely the one nugget an airline stewardess shared; crop dusting.
If David Sedaris is coming to your town on this tour, see him. He’s funnier and more mentally agile than most stand-up comics. Too late and you missed him? Then put him on your “to watch out” list so you won’t miss him next time.
Meanwhile, I have to pack this unique copy of Engulfed to give my brother. I do hope he genuinely likes it. I have always treasured the personalized copy of Douglas Coupland’s Shampoo Planet he got me.