burroughs vs sedaris

[MysteryMama]

i'd like to hear from those who have read books by both augusten burroughs and david sedaris... which do like better?

im loving both of them. i started with burroughs and read running with scissors, possible side effects, and magical thinking. then i read sedaris' naked, dress your family in cordoroy and deniem, and barrell fever.

initally i though burroughs was better, but now im not so sure, im really liking sedaris more and more. i think i'll be able to come to a decision when i finish reading all their books.

also, if there is anyone else who also reads and enjoys these authors, i'd love to hear what other authors you like.

[kerikadi]

I plan to read all their stuff too. I'm the one that started the Burroughs thread

For me they are apples and oranges. When I want something twisted and kind of sick humored I go for Burroughs which I love. I have read 3 of his books.
Sedaris is lighter, equally funny, but not as heavy and twisted.

You can't go wrong with either of them.

[MysteryMama]

Originally Posted by kerikadi

For me they are apples and oranges. When I want something twisted and kind of sick humored I go for Burroughs which I love. I have read 3 of his books.
Sedaris is lighter, equally funny, but not as heavy and twisted.

apples and oranges, perhaps- but are apples and oranges not both fruit? im betting you haven't read barrell fever if you don't think sedaris is as twisted as burroughs...

[ColwynsMommy]

I've read some of David Sedaris and love him. We got to see him do a reading for a taping of This American Life when they were on tour. Fantastic.

My husband has read all of his books, and has also read some of David Rakoff (another NPR guy) and said Rakoff is a little bit darker, but still good.

Not the same as David Sedaris, but we also really like Sarah Vowell (I swear, we do read things by people we *don't* hear on NPR).

[kerikadi]

Originally Posted by jeannie81

apples and oranges, perhaps- but are apples and oranges not both fruit? im betting you haven't read barrell fever if you don't think sedaris is as twisted as burroughs...

Of course both are fruits and both are authors but from what I have read (certainly not everything) they write differently.
You are right I have not read Barrell Fever, now I have another to look forward to

[jenoline]

I have read (or listened to on Audio) all of David Sedaris's books, I think. I just finished reading Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs, but have not read any of his other books (oh, I did manage to read the first chapter of Magical Thinking).

So, from that limited sample, I don't really see the comparison between the two. I saw quotes on the book jacket that compared them, but I just didn't see it. Perhaps I was just too horrified by the story in Running w/Scissors. I enjoy both writers, though, and do plan on reading more by Burroughs. I think I enjoy Sedaris more, overall.

I also have really enjoyed the couple books I've read by Sarah Vowell. I also read Paula Poundstone's (another from NPR, ) There's Nothing in this Book I Meant to Say.

For some fiction, if you like twisted humor, try Christopher Moore.

[whateverdidiwants]

I don't like Burroughs just because he tries to pass his material off as autobiographical, and it's not. He was actually sued by the family he wrote about in his first book, for slander, iirc.

Love love love Sedaris, though.

[Ziggysmama]

I absolutley love both authors.

Dry and Running with Scissors are two of my favourite books.

Sedaris has a book of short stories called "Holidays on Ice" (i think) which I dip into occasionally when I want to lmao!

I think I like Sedaris slightly better because he is more prolific and because he is such a character in real life. He is known to pull all kinds of pranks at books signings like only allowing smokers or people with braces entrance....lol

[MysteryMama]

Originally Posted by ColwynsMommy

My husband has read all of his books, and has also read some of David Rakoff (another NPR guy) and said Rakoff is a little bit darker, but still good.

ooh, i love darker! i'll have to check him out. btw- what's NPR?

Originally Posted by kerikadi

Of course both are fruits and both are authors but from what I have read (certainly not everything) they write differently.
You are right I have not read Barrell Fever, now I have another to look forward to

well i guess i see a comparison between the two. obviously both are different people with different experiences and they do write somewhat differently, but they're both doing the whole essay/memoir thing... strange short tales. i would put them in the same writing catagory. but yeah, they're different. but i do find that most people who like one do like the other.

[guestmama9904]

love Holidays on ice, omygoodness is that chpater about the vietnames daughter funny, it's so hilarious and outlandish but at the same time kind of believable, ykwim?

i love bouroughs too, I know he probably exagerates like crazy but who cares? he writes beautifully and funnily and just his vocabulary is great, and his meaness that he portrays himself as having is so funny. i actually met him at a book signing and he was very quiet and nice and made goo goo eyes at my then baby son so I doubt that he's mean irl.

[jenoline]

Originally Posted by jeannie81

ooh, i love darker! i'll have to check him out. btw- what's NPR?

National Public Radio. One of their (best, IMO) shows, "This American Life" frequently features David Sedaris, Sarah Vowell, David Rakoff, and (I think) has in the past had Burroughs on as well. I'm most familiar w/Paula Poundstone from the NPR show "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me", another of my favorites.

[MysteryMama]

Originally Posted by jenoline

National Public Radio. One of their (best, IMO) shows, "This American Life" frequently features David Sedaris, Sarah Vowell, David Rakoff, and (I think) has in the past had Burroughs on as well. I'm most familiar w/Paula Poundstone from the NPR show "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me", another of my favorites.

thanks. i never listen to the radio, but maybe i should.