On the cover of David Sedaris’ latest collection of essays, “When You Are Engulfed in Flames,” we see an early work by Vincent van Gogh of a skeleton smoking a cigarette. This curious painting serves as a metaphor for the midlife crisis of the renowned author and radio personality, and throughout the book, readers are given a glimpse into Sedaris’ adult life, including his family, his sexual relationships, his struggle to quit smoking and his battle with drug addiction.
This specific piece begins with the vignette, “It’s Catching,” discussing Sedaris’ relatively new obsession with germs. Past works of Sedaris’ have begun with quips about his childhood in Raleigh, N.C. (“Me Talk Pretty One Day”) or love (“Barrel Fever”), but both of these subjects are prevalent themes throughout Sedaris’ books whereas germs are quite different, to say the least.
While the book itself may be somewhat less pleasing to Sedaris fans due to the older viewpoint of his writing, the changes create a satisfyingly humorous book with an interesting glimpse into Sedaris’ cynicism about his own adulthood.
However, much has remained the same. One thing contained in all of Sedaris’ books is the theme of smoking. Whether it is pot or tobacco, it is clear to the avid Sedaris reader that he has an addictive personality and this personality carries into this particular vice. Even nonsmoking readers will find themselves identifying with the same withdrawal and angst Sedaris felt with his attempts to quit nicotine, as it is hard to put this book down without symptoms of withdrawal.
When reading further, readers will begin to realize while Sedaris has grown up, specifically seen by his breakup with the cigarette, not much else has changed. He has still maintained the personal wit and realism he is famous for. In the end, he created a work that is not only true to his aging self, but is also popular with the growing Sedaris fan base.
Although the seasoned Sedaris fan will be accustomed to the essay style, “When You Are Engulfed in Flames” proves to be more accessible to new fans and works well for presenting his stories. This setup allows for variety and it will have readers devouring the book chapter by chapter.
Having not been a true Sedaris fan before this read, my personal thoughts toward his unique writing style have changed, and other readers will likely undergo the same conversion. You will no longer want to pass by the nonfiction section in a bookstore without at least checking with one small glimmer of hope if there is a new Sedaris collection you have not already read. Through this book, he will become relatable to readers, as an author and as a person. You will feel as though, if by some chance, he passed you on the street, you could say to him, “Hey David, how is everything?” Then, by the same token, he would reply by saying, “Not much, how about you?”
While it is almost a sure bet that Sedaris will approach his senior years with the same cynicism, one can only hope he will come up with another piece that is as entertaining and well crafted as “When You Are Engulfed in Flames.”
4 1/2 out of 5 stars.
