David Sedaris - Radio 4, 15 April

[nauticant]

Did anyone else listen to tonight's programme?

There were many points of heresy. Skepticism about identity, microaggressions, and parts only being played by actors with matching identities, and wondering whether to crosss-dress but only in a "well why not?" way. Well worth a listen:

www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000v2xd

That's good. I liked his talks about collecting rubbish. And especially colonoscopy. And his family.

Yes! I did hear that. I love Sedaris, he's always worth listening to, his gentle observational, quizzical humour.

Anyone remember an old MN thread about book-signing?

He's just so brilliant and I was a pleasantly surprised, though I shouldn't have been because he loves to take a pop at anything with a whiff of moral superiority. Some of his previous series are absolute gems, for fans 'me talk pretty one day'

I love his writing. It’s sad listening to the broadcasts now as I used to enjoy listening to them with my late DM (and there weren’t many tastes we had in common).

@CardinalLolzy

Anyone remember an old MN thread about book-signing?

Yes! I do. At the time I was reading a book by him (my first - and only actually) and didn't know what to think I should look into him more, will follow the link in OP.

I love David Sedaris. Very witty and funny. I remember the book signing too!

Here's the thread mentioned (there is another one by the MN poster):

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3397025-david-sedaris-signing-whore-in-mn-poster-s-book

I'll have a read to see what I think. Maybe it's the more difficult people who are freer to say the unthinkable.

I think there's no doubt he's a prickly difficult person, or at any rate that's the persona that he cultivates and which has brought him such success. I must catch up with the latest series. I have often in the past taken a deep intake of breath listening to him as absolutely nothing seems to be off limits. I do wonder what his family really thinks about him.

We went to a recording of one of these programmes once in the BBC Radio Theatre. He didn't look at all like I expected, for some reason. Very polished performer, as I did expect.

Oh thanks for the tip. I read Calypso and enjoyed it, although was a bit surprised by some of the family stuff he revealed. I guess he’s just a ‘this is who I am, take it or leave it’ sort of person which is quite refreshing.

Thanks for the link nauticant I hadn't heard about his book signings. I came across him by accident on the radio years ago and just cried with laughter, so went and bought a few books (I must admit some of them need to be heard rather than read) and recommended to friends. I do think that I've had so much laughter because of him that I am always ready to forgive. Same with El but El has the benefit of being a nice person.