Review | David Sedaris’ early diaries reveal the bumps on his colourful road to literary stardom
David Sedaris found success by writing about his life as a Macy’s Christmas elf. But, as his newly published diaries show, the path to elfdom was winding, troubled and often hilarious
Theft By Finding – Diaries (1977-2002)
by David Sedaris
Little, Brown and Company
Would David Sedaris have published Theft by Finding if he had not sold more than 10 million books worldwide and had a devoted fan base who regularly pack his readings and live performances?
The American writer, humourist, memoirist and “cultural anthropologist” is a phenomenon in the book and comedy worlds, known for his irreverent prose and self-deprecating public persona.
He is the bestselling author of books such as Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls (2013), Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk (2010), When You are Engulfed in Flames (2008) and Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (2004). He is a regular contributor to The New Yorker magazine and BBC Radio 4. Nevertheless, to publish a series of personal diary entries (this is volume one, there is more to come) that take in everything from what he ate to comments on the weather, his bank balance and his mother’s birthday is brave indeed.
At first, this seems to be the kind of book you would leave on a house guest’s night table, something they could flick through for a little snicker before going to sleep. Sedaris admits s as much: “I don’t really expect anyone to read this from start to finish. It seems more like the sort of thing you might dip in and out of, like someone else’s yearbook or a collection of books.”
