David Sedaris signing WHORE in MN poster's book

[TeachesOfPeaches]

He talks about this incident in the new Adam Buxton podcast episode 79.

Provides a bit more context as to why he does this and the other outrageous things he has written/drawn at book signings.

I now think the OP was being unreasonable as this seems to be part and parcel of being a fan of his.

[HedgehogPoo]

Hah @cabingirl , I'm almost tempted to do that!
although would probably have to ferret around in the darkest corners of the cupboard among mouse nest debris and then attempt the ultimate jigsaw

[cabingirl]

@HedgehogPoo

I have no idea what happened to the book *@cabingirl*.

When I reread my posts from the original thread to verify that I hadn't mentioned my mother and that there was no mention of the words I and she were alleged to have used, I had written that the book had been thrown into the back of a cupboard. It's probably part of a mouse's nest now since our adored little cat went to the big cattery in the sky.

If you find it you should Ebay it!

[HedgehogPoo]

I have no idea what happened to the book @cabingirl.

When I reread my posts from the original thread to verify that I hadn't mentioned my mother and that there was no mention of the words I and she were alleged to have used, I had written that the book had been thrown into the back of a cupboard. It's probably part of a mouse's nest now since our adored little cat went to the big cattery in the sky.

[cabingirl]

@HedgehogPoo

Yes *@cabingirl*, I did wonder if two separate stories had become conflated. I certainly didn't mention my mother at any point in my OP. In this thread, the tales have been presented as one and the same event and I wanted to set the record straight about incorrect statements that were being accepted as factual.

I have no idea if the blogpost referred to someone else and this had been picked up in error as applying to my post, although from comments in this thread there seemed to be a link to MN.

It's possible it got mixed up because your thread was such a memorable one! Especially for us Sedaris fans!

But there's quite a few similar stories out there - one person got a book signed for her sister and he wrote 'Why is your sister such a whore" - she loved it!

It's weird he also writes lots of nice and funny things too.

But he signs so many books at each performance he must recycle a lot.

Did you keep the book?

[HedgehogPoo]

Yes @cabingirl, I did wonder if two separate stories had become conflated. I certainly didn't mention my mother at any point in my OP. In this thread, the tales have been presented as one and the same event and I wanted to set the record straight about incorrect statements that were being accepted as factual.

I have no idea if the blogpost referred to someone else and this had been picked up in error as applying to my post, although from comments in this thread there seemed to be a link to MN.

[VestaTilley]

Never heard of him, and as he’s clearly a misogynist I intend to keep it that way. I hope one of these days a woman lamps him with one of his own books.

[Greenevalley]

@EarlLeighIndamornin. Well I would but I find him hilarious.
If you can find his Easter story it’s very funny. Maybe on you tube or bbc sounds.

[EarlLeighIndamornin]

I KNOW THIS IS A ZOMBIE THREAD BUT...........

not having a Scooby who this bloke is I googled him and it turns out he's doing a book signing this Friday 10 mons away from me.

Should I go??!

[Greenevalley]

I met David Sedaris at a book signing.
I bought a book to give to my son who is also a fan. He wrote lovely words in my ds’s book.
I like his work and think he’s a natural storyteller.
His whole family have a quirky sense of humour and he’s fascinated by the macabre.
I’ve never thought of him as misogynistic.

I haven’t listened to this podcast yet.

[cabingirl]

Oops sorry meant to quote HedgehogPoo not LucilleBluth there.

[cabingirl]

@LucilleBluth

He’s an excellent writer, flawed yes...like most humans.

On another note a pp wrote that Ricky Gervais is disappointing . I need to know why...I love him too.

It might not be you (I remember the original post) and your mother he was referring to in that incident - I think he's written the same thing in many different women's books over the years.

[LucilleBluth]

He’s an excellent writer, flawed yes...like most humans.

On another note a pp wrote that Ricky Gervais is disappointing . I need to know why...I love him too.

[HedgehogPoo]

Well now, it's not often that you find a thread about yourself! A friend who knows the story sent me the link and I found it a bit of a shock to the system.

I have no idea who Adam Buxton is and tbh, I'd rather not give myself any additional stress by checking out his podcast.

I am however very interested in the statement alleging that my mother called the subject of my original post "a horrible little man". I was quite shocked when I read this as it's not my style at all and my mother would be unable to make such a comment as I did not discuss the event with her.

If anyone would like to read my comments in the OP, they will be able to confirm that those words are not mentioned anywhere. No matter how much I disliked someone, I would never be personal in any way, not least due to having been on the receiving end of some cruel taunts in my life.

I would like to thank the Mners here who have understood my position and how badly I felt after the book-signing event. Your comments are appreciated more than I can say.

Not that I am naming any subject of my original post of course

[MozzieMagnet]

His stories are mainly about his own experiences, yes, his siblings, his upbringing, his parents, his art phase, his jobs, his husband, his travels.
But some stories are fictional eg the seasonal newsletter in Santaland diaries and he wrote a collection of animal stories in Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk. I like his work very much.

[IfNotNowThenWooOoOoo]

Objective= object

[IfNotNowThenWooOoOoo]

Also, there are lot of men who deserve to be pulled up.on their misogyny, but I swear DS is not one of them!

[IfNotNowThenWooOoOoo]

Men can be called Whores too. And I agree that David Sedaris's main objective of contempt is always himself.

[TeachesOfPeaches]

Thank you. Does he just tell stories about his own life?

[MozzieMagnet]

Thanks OP. I have listened to part of the podcast, will listen to the rest later.
soundcloud.com/adam-buxton/ep79-david-sedaris
I lost a day to that last thread on this so am not going down that rabbit hole but the fact that any writer would willingly spend up to ten hours to sign books always impresses me, particularly the idea that he would continue the interaction until he liked me (!) Might be in it for the long haul, David.
The take away is simple enough: Even if you are told by someone to write on a post-it what you want your dedication to be, don't, throw it out, have no expectation of either the encounter, the dedication or the form either will take. It is clear that he is more like a Bad fortune cookie generator or will twist whatever you ask for into something else entirely. Especially if you try to dictate it or demand he write this or draw that.
If that's not for you then don't queue, vote with your feet. But I am nonetheless grateful to the original OP for the knowledge as there's no surprise then, expect the unexpected/opposite/lowest expectations. Still wonder what animal she was, though.
As for the rest of this thread...I wouldn't know where to start. I found it interesting about the list though, as I had thought it was based on actual book sales not initial take up. Learnt something new.

[Raglansleeve]

And I’d compare him to Swift rather than any 21st century writer/commentator.

[Raglansleeve]

Love DS, but think if you only know him from R4 you’d be in for a bit of a shock at some of his other stuff. Just finished reading ‘Naked’ and it’s very near the knuckle in some parts..........

The book with the Macy’s elf story is The Santaland Diaries. I wouldn’t call him a misogynist at all. Most of the women in his books are infinitely more intelligent and all together more likeable than the men. If DS hates/pokes fun at anyone, it’s usually himself.

I’d like to know his reasons for writing what he did - if indeed he had a reason.

[mostdays]

I don't know the significance of "Whore" but I do know he is not a misogynist.

I think someone who uses misogynistic language towards women will really struggle to argue that they are not, in fact, a misogynist.

[53rdWay]

His essay about his sister Tiffany’s suicide is awful and brilliant and heartbreaking: Now We Are Five

I still don’t think his talent and works exempt him from criticism of things like writing “WHORE” in that woman’s book. And I am unwilling to bend over backwards to find some “oh no no he meant it in a good way! you just don’t appreciate his genius!” take on that. But he is a really, genuinely brilliant writer.

[claraschu]

I love the New Yorker- my home town rag. I am glad you liked the article-

[Thymeout]

Thanks for that, Clara. I only know him from Radio 4. I think I'll make his books my project for winter reading.