A Carnival of Snackery

Diaries (2003-2020)

By: David Sedaris

Narrated by: David Sedaris, Tracey Ullman

Length: 17 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

A New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice

There’s no right way to keep a diary, but if there’s an entertaining way, David Sedaris seems to have mas­tered it.

If it’s navel-gazing you’re after, you’ve come to the wrong place; ditto treacly self-examination. Rather, his observations turn outward: a fight between two men on a bus, a fight between two men on the street, pedestrians being whacked over the head or gathering to watch as a man considers leap­ing to his death. There’s a dirty joke shared at a book signing, then a dirtier one told at a dinner party - lots of jokes here. Plenty of laughs.

These diaries remind you that you once really hated George W. Bush, and that not too long ago, Donald Trump was just a harm­less laughingstock, at least on French TV. Time marches on, and Sedaris, at his desk or on planes, in hotel dining rooms and odd Japanese inns, records it. The entries here reflect an ever-changing background - new administrations, new restrictions on speech and conduct. What you can say at the start of the book, you can’t by the end. At its best, A Carnival of Snackery is a sort of sampler: the bitter and the sweet. Some entries are just what you wanted. Others you might want to spit discreetly into a napkin.

©2021 David Sedaris (P)2021 Little, Brown & Company

Critic reviews

“Sedaris is a singularly talented humorist who lands acerbic zingers with the calculating precision of a kamikaze pilot.... Throughout the colorful, caustic yarns that fill his best-selling essay and story collections, he’s maintained league-of-his-own status by staying light on his feet: Just when you’re expecting a wry jab, he clocks you with a poignant gut punch.” (Rachel Rosenblit, Washington Post)

“Deeply satisfying.... the diaries are as clear, direct and funny as his essays.... [Sedaris] has such a gift for illuminating small things.” (Liana Finck, New York Times Book Review)

“Uproarious… a must for Sedaris fans.” (Lesley Kennedy, CNN)

I adore David. Not for those new to his writing!

This is a great book/diary but if you don’t read David Sedaris then start with Calypso or one of his earlier writings. I don’t think that you will enjoy it the way you will once you know him a little better. Then come back!
I was hesitant about Tracy Ullman because I love the way David does it!! I have to admit she did a fabulous job and I like that they switched off a bit and made it fun. As always, thank you Mr. Sedaris!!! 💙💜💛❤️

So satisfying

First, regarding the narration, at least 80% of this is narrated by Sedaris. The Ullman parts take a little getting used to, but eventually it becomes very interesting to hear David’s writing interpreted by a different person.

As to the substance, Sedaris is far more successful and wealthy in this volume than the previous, and that pervades the writing. But he’s never unaware of that, and it adds a lot of depth to the stories.

I’ve enjoyed the diaries more than his other books, though I like them too. There’s much that’s compelling and real, as well as endlessly funny and fascinating, of course.

If you enjoyed the previous diaries and are open minded about handling the (small) Ullman experiment, you’ll enjoy this.

Please redo without Ullman

I have nothing against Ullman but her parts are intrusive and I can’t wait til her parts are over. The transitions detract from the flow of the book. Nice experiment but a failure in my opinion. We LIKE David Sedaris’ voice…

So funny, and the narration is perfect!

I have listened to a lot of David Sedaris’ books and I was concerned that the transition between Tracey Ullman and David Sedaris would be jarring. It’s not. It’s absolutely seamless and Tracey Ullman added an extra layer of humor to the stories in this book. This is one of my favorite collections and I have listened to it over and over again.

Great As Always!

David Sedaris and Tracy Ullman split the narration 50/50. it takes 1 or 2 chapters to get used to the switching back and forth however it's still a great listen!!! I recommend it.

just delightful

Exactly what I was hoping for. As a long time sedaris fan I really appreciated the journal selections that were thoughtfully brought together with so much theme and movement. It was so relatable. So entertaining. I wish we could all be as open with eachother as this book was with us- but then again. It everyone’s thoughts would be worthy or praise as this is. I’m in a hard weird time of life and I feel like I have full permission to just embrace it and keep it weird. No shame in that.

I needed a little humor and that connection that only David can offer.

I needed a little humor and David’s commentary! II loved all the snippets, characters and stories. You never know what he will say next and at the same time he says what we often think. David makes that human connection. I enjoy his description of the people and places along his tours and his family stories!

Loved Tracey Ullman in this listen

Loved the book! I listen to a lot of books and have read all of David Sedalis other books, so decided to listen to this one. I will definitely listen again❤️. Some people did not enjoy Tracey Ullman and I completely disagree. She wonderful and adds a different voice to the stories

There is no one better!!

I loved absolutely everything about this book, as I do everything he does! My only criticism is that each time a vignette was read by Tracy Ulman, I found myself missing David. Especially when it was a story about his dad. I’ve come to love crotchety old Lou Sedaris, as imitated by his son, over the years and really missed his ‘voice’ when not performed by David himself. That said, I absolutely loved the book & can’t wait to give it a second listen.

Will not disappoint

As usual, Mr Sedaris does not disappoint. This book left me warm and comfy - like soup on a winter’s day. Thank you so much