Description
Whether by nature or by nurture, Ma and Pa Sedaris certainly knew something about raising funny kids. Amy Sedaris has built a cult following for her Comedy Central character Jerri Blank, and David, the more famous of the two siblings, continues to spin his personal history into comedic gold. A good chunk of the material in
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim debuted in other media outlets, such as
The New Yorker, but Sedaris's brilliantly written essays deserve repeat reads.
Based on the author's descriptions, nearly every member of his family is funny, although some (like sister Tiffany, perhaps) in a tragic way. In "The Change in Me," Sedaris remembers that his mother was good at imitating people when it helped drive home her point. High-voiced, lovably plain-spoken brother Paul (aka The Rooster, Silly P) has long been a favorite character for Sedaris readers, though Paul's story takes on a serious note when his wife has a difficult pregnancy. The author doesn't shy away from embarrassing moments in his own life, either, including a childhood poker game that strays into strange, psychological territory. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim provides more evidence that he is a great humorist, memoirist, and raconteur, and readers are lucky to have the opportunity to know him (and his clan) so well. His funny family feels like our own. Perhaps they are luckier still not to know him personally. --Leah Weathersby
Book Club Questions for Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (Fiction)
Suggested Book Club Questions for Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (Fiction)
The following book club questions provide a starting point for creating a reading group discussion on Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim:
- Did David Sedaris emphasize any specific themes throughout Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim? What do you think David Sedaris is trying to explain with this theme?
- What was unique about the setting of Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and how did it affect the storyline?
- Could you relate to any of the characters? If so, which ones and why?
- How do characters change or learn throughout Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim? What events caused these changes? Have you or someone you know experienced the same thing?
- How does Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim reveal David Sedaris's own perspectives about people and the world? For a lively discussion, describe why you think David Sedaris is liberal or conservative.
- Did certain parts of Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim affect you emotionally? Why did it evoke those emotions?
- Did David Sedaris's point of view on things lend new perspective to your own view of the world?
Book Club Questions for Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (for Non-Fiction)
Suggested Book Club Questions for Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (Non-fiction)
The following book club questions provide a starting point for creating a reading group discussion on Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim:
- Did David Sedaris make persuasive arguments in Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim? Did Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim change or reinforce your opinion on the subject?
- What did you learn from Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim?
- How does David Sedaris present the information and did you enjoy it?
- How is David Sedaris biased within Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim? Is there a political slant to what is being discussed and how does it impact the book?
- What, if anything, does Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim make you want to read next? Why?
