David Sedaris
David Sedaris | |
|---|---|
 Sedaris at the Frankfurt Book Fair in 2018 | |
| Born | David Raymond Sedaris December 26, 1956 Johnson City, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | School of the Art Institute of Chicago (BA) |
| Genre | Humor, essays |
| Notable awards | Thurber Prize for American Humor American Academy of Arts and Letters |
| Partner | Hugh Hamrick |
| Relatives | Amy Sedaris (sister) |
Biography
David Sedaris is an American humorist, essayist, and bestselling author known for his sharp wit, self-deprecating humor, and keen observations of everyday life. Born on December 26, 1956, in Johnson City, New York, and raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, Sedaris gained prominence in the 1990s with his unique storytelling style, often drawing on his eccentric family, personal neuroses, and experiences living abroad.
He first rose to public attention in 1992 with a reading of his essay Santaland Diaries on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition, recounting his experience working as a Christmas elf at Macy’s. The piece catapulted him into national recognition and led to a publishing deal. His debut collection, Barrel Fever (1994), was followed by Naked (1997) and Me Talk Pretty One Day (2000), the latter of which became a major bestseller and established Sedaris as a literary figure.
Sedaris's essays often appear in The New Yorker and are known for blending autobiography with satire, exploring topics like family dysfunction, cultural clashes, identity, and the absurdities of modern life. His signature voice - wry, observant, and often emotionally resonant - has won him a devoted readership worldwide.
In addition to his writing, Sedaris is a gifted performer, frequently touring to read his work aloud to sold-out audiences. He has also published diary collections such as Theft by Finding and A Carnival of Snackery, offering insight into his private thoughts over decades.
Openly gay, Sedaris lives with his longtime partner, artist Hugh Hamrick. The couple has lived in France and England, experiences that often color Sedaris’s writing.
A finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor and recipient of the Terry Southern Prize for Humor, David Sedaris remains a singular voice in contemporary nonfiction, combining humor with humanity in a way few others can.
Music (likes)
BBC's Desert Island Discs (2023)
- I Don't Wanna Play House - Tammy Wynette
- Where is Love - Keith Hamshere and Original London Cast of Oliver!
- Dindi - Maria Bethânia
- Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do) - Aretha Franklin
- I Got A Right to Praise The Lord - The Georgia Mass Choir
- Manhattan - Blossom Dearie
- You and I - Abbey Lincoln
- They Say It's Wonderful - John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman [1]
References
- ↑ "David Sedaris". Desert Island Discs. 12 February 2023. BBC.