What always pops out in Sedaris' writing is the way he builds up characters. Using specific and colorful details we get a clear idea of what these people are like without Sedaris ever having to tell us directly. In this case, however, he did. Once. Sedaris says outright that the actor was really just a loser, but it didn't feel out of place. Sedaris' younger self is straightening out these thoughts in his own mind and I could see that.
And even though the mother was not best role model, I found myself warming up to her. I liked how mean she was, it added that honesty that Sedaris never fails to weave in and that also adds so much humor to his pieces. Someone else might have taken a mother like that negatively and written books about how troubled their childhood was because of their less-than-perfect mother, but I admire how Sedaris turns it around and uses it as a supportive bit of powerful writing and then makes her the highlight of the entire piece at the very end.
Though this piece wasn't as funny as others written by Sedaris, I still liked it and it is still an excellent example of good writing.
Justyne Marin
I have to agree with you on this. I like the way the author used the Mother's character as a highlight at the end as well. I didn't expect that but it made it so real. The author gives a genuine depiction of what parents are really like. Although parents don't always agree with our "crazy" dreams of what we want to do in life they usually end up coming around and becoming our #1 supporter.
ReplyDelete- Felicia Tonga
It's so true that Sedaris uses unique characters to portray his message. I love how he does use humor to describe the events of his life instead of a melancholy tone about how crazy and mean his mother is. There is a time and place for tissue grabber stories, but Sedaris avoids them and instead charms his reader with truth and satire.
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