I just continued after "Let's Explore Owls" with the audiobook of When You are Engulfed in Flames and I must say, the transition was seamless. Seeing as they are exactly the same book I am going to give this exactly the same rating.
I just want to mention the last two chapters. I have never smoked, I have no opinion on smoking, I just don't care. So hearing someone whining about smoking and quitting smoking for about 2 hours was tedious to say the least. I totally get that since these chapters are about a subject for which I give not one shit the only problem here is that I couln't relate, not that the writing is bad. I'm just going to pretend these chapters don't exist. ( )

I read these stories/essays as I ate breakfast before work, and they definitely got my day off to a fun start. ( )

Amusing, yes, but not up to par with his others. ( )

Personal and funny. ( )

Real Rating: 4.25* of five

The Publisher Says: It's early autumn 1964. Two straight-A students head off to school, and when only one of them returns home Chesney Yelverton is coaxed from retirement and assigned to what proves to be the most difficult and deadly - case of his career. From the shining notorious East Side, When You Are Engulfed in Flames confirms once again that David Sedaris is a master of mystery and suspense.

Or how about...

when set on fire, most of us either fumble for our wallets or waste valuable time feeling sorry for ourselves. David Sedaris has studied this phenomenon, and his resulting insights may very well save your life. Author of the national bestsellers Should You Be Attacked By Snakes and If You Are Surrounded by Mean Ghosts, David Sedaris, with When You Are Engulfed in Flames, is clearly at the top of his game.

Oh, all right...

David Sedaris has written yet another book of essays (his sixth). Subjects include a parasitic worm that once lived in his mother-in-law's leg, an encounter with a dingo, and the recreational use of an external catheter. Also recounted is the buying of a human skeleton and the author's attempt to quit smoking In Tokyo.

Master of nothing, at the dead center of his game, Sedaris proves that when you play with matches, you sometimes light the whole pack on fire.

THIS BOOK WAS A GIFT FROM MY EX. IT'S GOING TO THE LITTLE FREE LIBRARY NOW.

My Review: Very funny guy writes more very funny observational comedy essays. If you like him, you'll love it; if you are irritated and annoyed by his shtik, you won't. Never read his stuff? Start anywhere. They're all much of a muchness. ( )