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Themes and Variations

An Essay

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About this listen

2020 SOVAS Award Winner for Audiobook Narration—Author Performance—Best Voiceover

An Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestseller.

In this surprising essay, international bestselling humor writer David Sedaris shares the rewards of a book tour and his devoted readers’ worst-kept secrets.

Dismissed by a bored author at a book signing, a betrayed young man named David Sedaris made a vow. Someday, when it was his turn at the table, he’d connect with his readers. The experience has been even more revealing than he’d hoped.

In this hilarious and perceptive essay, the celebrated humorist reflects on the unusual patterns of forced socialization between author and audience, and the obligations and sometimes surprising returns of not-so-chance encounters with strangers: jokes, secrets, insights, and even charity.

©2020 David Sedaris (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Essays Nonfiction Funny Witty Comedy

What the critics say

“Author David Sedaris delivers this honest, funny essay with his usual flair…This is a short look at the crazy world we live in by one of its most talented observer-humorists.” (AudioFile Magazine)
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I've been reading Sedaris since "Me talk pretty one day" and continue to be amazed by his sense of observation, his ability to reflect on what is worth reflecting on in every situation, and his unique style to convey his conclusions with humor and wit.
The anecdotes lived through his book signing tours, which are the theme of this essay, are no exception. He left me wondering, among other things, on what is the purpose of book signing tours? selling more books or connecting with your readers? or both, none or other?
This was my first audiobook narrated by Sedaris. He speaks fast, I had to replay some phrases a few times, but nothing really annoying. Other than that, great performance.

There is no trivial or dull moment....

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This is such a ridiculous and boring book. I cannot really comment any more than that.

nothing

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