The Ship Shape

Up on The New Yorker site, you can find Our Perfect Summer, a new story by David Sedaris.

We actually heard Sedaris read this story back in April when he made a stop at the San Francisco Opera House during his last book tour. Then, the story was called "The Ship Shape," (I think this is a better name) and immediately after hearing it, it rose to the very top of my Sedaris personal favorites lists. I, of course, have been anxiously awaited the print version since then.

It was especially great to hear him read this story live since it's so terribly bittersweet and he does an incredible job delivering it. It's moving without being over-the-top sentimentality (this is still Sedaris, after all) and the amount of humor in the piece is just right. No one plays the fool; instead it's a story about hope and disappointment amidst the sort experiences we all have as a kids.

It's a great piece and definitely worth the read.

We also met Sedaris at the signing he was doing before the event. He was sitting at a table, alone, sort of behind a pillar. Us being us, we made some horrible small talk and I embarrassed myself fully. As we were leaving, I put my hand out to offer a handshake and then quickly pulled it back, not knowing if he even likes to be touched. (Based on his books, who'd think he'd like strangers touching him?) After I asked if it was alright to shake, he laughed and probably thought I was a nutcase.

This is why you should never meet the people you admire.

Link via Kottke.

Comments

[Paul]

I think the thing that surprised/impressed me the most about meeting David Sedaris was that I towered over him. I tower over about six people, total, so that was a big day for me.

[brad]

I shared some small talk and a stick of gum with his sister Amy in NYC as we waited to get into "Saving Private Ryan".
She seemed quite nice,

[Jack]

I attended the same reading tour. It's nice, having the benefit of hearing "one" pronounced just so by the author himself.

[Jory]

When I met him, at a book signing, my shirt had ridden up ever so slightly (maybe like and inch) due to the strap of my messenger bad bunching it up. And now, inside my copy of barrell fever, I have enscribed "To Jory, from David Sedaris" followed by a lovely little line drawing (ala Eggers) of my underwear waistband. For the love.

[Erma]

Thanks for the link. I'm now an admirer of David Sedaris after recently reading "Me Talk Pretty One Day," which was actually a book chosen at random.

[Mary]

I'm a big fan of any Sedaris that I've ever seen perform. I saw David about six years ago and he was as usual funny and introspective, sarcastic, etc.

One of my all time favorite lines of his is when he talks about 'youth in asia'. he's a trip!

[Cam]

It's not every day a family comes along and produces so many quirky, genius children. David and his sister Amy (who is the genius behing "Strangers With Candy") both have such amazing talent when it comes to humor you have to wonder about their parents. David's story gives us some insight into how the kids were raised. Their family must be a family psychologist's wet dream of some sort.

[patricia]

It must be something about him because when a friend and I spoke with him after a book reading, we both made total ninnies of ourselves. And he has an incredible memory. My friend mentioned this friend that she has in NC and how the friend is in total love with him. Well, flashforward to a month later when he's in NC, and the friend shows up at his reading and mentions that we had heard him talk in DC. He remembered what we'd said to him and he inscribed her book with something like, "If I weren't gay..." Too funny.

[Randomgirl]

That sounded very cool!!!I wish I could have met him!!! Anyways have a fun weekend see yeah!!!

[Bonnie Burton]

Some kids dream of running away and joing the circus. I dream of running away and joining the Sedaris family.

[Amanda]

I am a huge fan of Sedaris. Been indulging his stuffs for many years & his books has been a great source of wisdom in all this quiet years. Would definitely want to meet him personally one day!