Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Author: David Sedaris
ISBN-13: 9780316143462
ISBN-10: 0316143464
Publication Date: 6/1/2004
Pages: 272
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 518

4 stars, based on 518 ratings
Publisher: Little, Brown
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

87 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

greta avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
David Sedaris has an entertaining perspective on life and can be especially endearing if your dad is of Greek ancestry, if you like France and its capital and if you are sympathetic to the gay experience. While I wouldn't pass this book on to my daughters or mother for fear they would think I have a sick sense of humor, I will recommend to my husband and other male and female adult friends.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on
Helpful Score: 4
This book contains my very favorite Dave Sedaris story, "Six to Eight Black Men." While the rest of the stories are wonderfully funny and always well-written, you should read this book if for no other reason than that story, "Six to Eight Black Men."

On a separate note, in order to fully enjoy a David Sedaris book, I recommend getting a book on tape/CD from your library or here, etc. and listening to a couple stories. David Sedaris reads all of his books on tape himself, and his unique voice makes the stories EVEN BETTER. Once you hear his voice in a couple stories, you will forever hear his voice as you read his books, making the experience even more enjoyable.
Dartha avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 102 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I really didn't get what all the excitement was about...
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on
Helpful Score: 3
Absolutely loved it! Laugh out loud funny!
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
What's not to love? You'll laugh out loud without reservation!
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 300 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Some of this is amusing, some is pretty raw. Some is a little of both! LOL
cyall8tr avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 44 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
MR. SEDARIS STRIKES AGAIN
If you think you have a weird family, do yourself a favor and read this author's books. You'll never complain again. This is a genuine poster family for dysFUNctional. I've read all Mr. Sedaris' books and never fail to be amazed that his family still talks to him.
hallelujaheart avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 96 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I ordered this one to see what all the hubbub was about. It was a good book but didn't knock my socks off. It was a quick, easy read but not my cup of tea I guess.
sues avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 94 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Great, classic David Sedaris. One of the few writers that can make me laugh out loud! He is perverse, irreverent and so dead-on with his descriptions of people and situations that we all know.
Chemeria avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I wasn't sure about it at first but man was it funny. I kept laughing through the whole thing I was like OMFG listen to this Joey.. he couldn't even read his book I kept stopping to read this one outloud.
A must read! I will be getting all his other books..
and as for Joey he is glad I read it so fast.. :)
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 113 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Funny read. I always enjoy his books.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 49 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I thought I would enjoy David Sedaris' humor and stories but actually found this to be a very boring read.
vallipow avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 40 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I heard David Sedaris' voice while reading this funny and thought-provoking collection of essays. I really enjoy his honesty and self-deprecating humor, and especially the way his love for his four sisters and his brother, and for his partner Hugh, shines through these vignettes.
Patouie avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 132 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Painful, laugh-out-loud stuff, Sedaris is a master of wry humor. I had a lot of "I can't believe he really said that!" moments.
Page5 avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on
Helpful Score: 1
This book was okay but nothing great. A few stories were LOL funny, a few were just plain creepy, and the rest were rather ho-hum. One of the most overhyped books I've picked up in awhile.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on
Helpful Score: 1
I love David Sedaris, and this book made me literally laugh out loud. He has a dry humor and a subtle wit that made it difficult to put the book down. A fantastic read!
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
David Sedaris and his kooky family will have you laughing until you cry.
Erinyes avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 279 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I don't know what all the hype is about. I read it pretty fast, but I didn't find it all that great.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
More of the same brilliance from David Sedaris. Very touching and hilarious and twisted. I'll read anything he writes. Especially loved the essays about his brother.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 75 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Wow. I started to read Barrel Fever and was totally turned off to David Sedaris but I already had this book on the way. Thank goodness I gave him another chance, it was a fantastic, quick, and silly read! I'm going to have to give Barrel Fever another shot as well!
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Sedaris takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinarily funny.
esh712 avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 44 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Funny and quirky, as to be expected with any Sedaris book. I had many moments where I was laughing out loud at inappropriate sections around other people -- when asked what was so funny, I could not share a lot of it with my acquaintances! It was a fast, easy, and enjoyable read, but by far not his best. It just ends with very little resolution. I understand that a book like this doesn't require such a stringent conclusion as another text might, but then again, after reading this, I didn't feel there was very much point, just a collection of giggles to pass the time. That being said, sometimes there's nothing wrong with that.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 45 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
The stories in this book range from laugh-out-loud to just plain creepy. Witty, and all in all very enjoyable.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 20 more book reviews
You cannot go wrong with anything David Sedaris writes. I love all of this books and this one lives up to his others.
Judyh avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 229 more book reviews
So funny -- everything I've read by David Sedaris has been hysterically funny!!
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 17 more book reviews
Hysterical and insightful.
mrsteacher23 avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 11 more book reviews
I didn't know anything about this book or this author prior to starting the book; I just knew that several of my friends had it on their to-read lists and that it had pretty good reviews. I'm glad I decided to read it, though. It was entertaining, funny in parts, almost sad in others, and a very fast read to boot.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 3 more book reviews
This is a fabulous little read- David Sedaris has such a wonderfully fun way of portraying life.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 75 more book reviews
A great, laugh out loud book
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 9 more book reviews
Dark humor. In my opinion, this is the best Sedaris book I have read. Not as dark as some of his other books. A quick read.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 18 more book reviews
David Sedaris cracks me up. Very funny short stories about his family life, travels, and being a writer. They are not without their more serious lessons, however. I often sit back and contemplate what the Sedaris family was like with David and Amy as siblings, among the others. What did their parents do to create such creative, eccentric, endearing children? They ought to bottle it as a anti-boredom elixir. Thank you, David, for being YOU.
grinky22 avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 7 more book reviews
Mostly hilarious with a little bit of creepy which I could have done without- but on balance worth a read.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 24 more book reviews
JUST THIS: A REAL HOOT!!!!!
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 34 more book reviews
Quick read. I'll probably try another.
pommesdeterre8 avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on
honestly, not as funny as "when you are engulfed in flames" but still very funny. I def. recommend this book.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on
Funny - quick read.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 14 more book reviews
Funny! Sedaris is a great storyteller.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on
OK, but I laughed aloud constantly while reading Me Talk Pretty One Day, and this book only had one chapter that really had me rolling...
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 29 more book reviews
I loved this audio! I actually laughed out loud quite a few times while driving through traffic! Will definitely look for more from this author.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on
This book was very well done. The only thing I didn't like about it was I thought he did a little too much reflecting and his tone was kind of whiny.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 77 more book reviews
David Sedaris makes me laugh. I liked "Me Talk Pretty Someday" better. That was the first book of his that I read. His chapters on learning French had me uncontrollably giggling to tears. I still think about his experience on that subject and smile.

Maybe I was sometimes reading while asleep, but I never found the corduroy and denim connection...

I will definitely read more of David Sedaris.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 2 more book reviews
This is a very realistic, funny view on the typical american life.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 4 more book reviews
Beatiful prose regarding all the little triumps and tragedies of smalltown life.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 13 more book reviews
The quality of Sedaris' writing is as good as always, however, I was not very interested in the subject matter.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 21 more book reviews
Good reading, but not quite as convulsively funny as some of his others.
Twintoni avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 133 more book reviews
Sedaris is always funny, if you are a fan you need no explanation.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 334 more book reviews
Unusually funny humor, poignant and sensitive, from an astute observer of daily life.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 69 more book reviews
Dead mice, zombies, funerals, excess sweating...this book has it all. I love Sedaris' style of capturing the craziness that is family.
IMADiva avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 43 more book reviews
This is probably David Sedaris' darkest book and shows more of his dysfunctional family upbringing. However, it is still funny and if you are a Sedaris fan, a must read.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on
David Sedaris is hilarious. I read this book in a matter of days. His writing style, is not my preference, but I loved the humor.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 42 more book reviews
LOL funny! My family doesn't look quite as dysfunctional to me now.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on
My least favorite of his books.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 6 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book. I will be reading all of David Sedaris' books now.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 22 more book reviews
Multiple essays from David Sedaris, a man who can just LAUGH at his life. It's just hilarious...reminded me so much of my family!
rosalie02138 avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 28 more book reviews
Sedaris is unique. Introduced to him from This American Life on NPR. This book has many stories about his totally strange family.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on
Wonderfuly funny and hilarious! A much enjoyed read!
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on
This did not live up to my expectations, after reading the reviews of others and seeing the high star ratings. It had its laughable moments, but I ended up not liking it enough to finish. Find Laurie Notaro's autobiographical books SO much more humorous. Disappointing read for me.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 2 more book reviews
Not as good as his others, but OK..
SteveTheDM avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 204 more book reviews
Much like "Me Talk Pretty One Day", Sedaris' "Dress Your Family in Courderoy and Denim" is a collection of humorous essays. I frequently found myself laughing under my breath at the absurdity of Sedaris' life... The man has lived a bizarre life, indeed. This was an enjoyable and quick read.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 23 more book reviews
I didn't really enjoy the book. It was recommended to me by a person I'd exchanged books with. There were some fun essays, but mostly it was depressing, way too gay.
cyall8tr avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 44 more book reviews
MR. SEDARIS STRIKES AGAIN
If you think you have a weird family, do yourself a favor and read this author's books. You'll never complain again. This is a genuine poster family for dysFUNctional. I've read all Mr. Sedaris' books and never fail to be amazed that his family still talks to him.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 99 more book reviews
Hilarious,as always
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 14 more book reviews
hilarious
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 16 more book reviews
Sedaris can make you laugh 'til you pee your pants!
TakingTime avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 1072 more book reviews
What hovers just below the surface? Do we really know anyone? Truely know them? In this quirky book, hidden agendas and ulterior motives rear their heads.
Yoni avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 327 more book reviews
So much fun! I want to hang out with David Sedaris....I feel like I know him from reading these great stories of fun and dysfunction. A great summer read.
n2deep2quit avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on
My first Sedaris book and I was surprised, happily so, that I enjoyed it so much. Quirky and funny.

I recommend.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 203 more book reviews
David Sedaris is not my type of writer. To me, he strikes me as neurotic and absurb in his ramblings. I can see how other people would adore his writing style.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 17 more book reviews
Hilarious
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 51 more book reviews
Very interesting and well written. I laughed out loud many times.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 6 more book reviews
All of his books are good. This one is good. Not as funny as the others, but I don't think it is meant to be as funny.
homegrownsoap avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 4 more book reviews
REALLY REALLY REALLY funny, i read parts aloud to my husband it was so good.
Delos avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on
Hilarious
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 34 more book reviews
more great stuff from david sedaris
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 129 more book reviews
I did not like this book, or another that I tried to read by this author. I really don't see why so many people like this. It was not funny to me and quickly stopped being interesting enough to read.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 72 more book reviews
classic sedaris... he is the best...
margaretlee avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 171 more book reviews
This is one of my favorite David Sedaris collections. Personal, humorous, a little naughty...nothing like hearing him read his own work! If you haven't been introduced to this guy's quick wit, you MUST start with Dress Your Family In Corduroy and Denim!
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 32 more book reviews
Sedaris is a genius
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 6 more book reviews
Such a fun book. A real look at life- no smoke no mirrors- just life
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 5 more book reviews
HE IS A BRILLIANT AUTHOR VERY FUNNY
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 279 more book reviews
O~M~G! I tried reading this book at work during infrequent downtime but my bursts of laughter gave me away! David Sedaris is simply hysterical! I love his writing style, I love how he takes an everyday event and makes it so funny. I've read almost every book he has written (still trying to find his earliest book!) and love, love, love to listen to him on CD. Really, who can make collecting house spiders an interesting read?? I always go to see him when he's in South Florida!
wordgeek avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 13 more book reviews
my first david sedaris book. absolutely loved it, and have read all of his books now. david sedaris is funny, offensive, pathetic, and wonderful all rolled into one big gay guy. actually, i think he's quite small, but still gay.
Dixie avatar reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 179 more book reviews
Great Book!
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 12 more book reviews
Hysterical!
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 4 more book reviews
always funny.
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on
i don't dislike David Sedaris, but I think this book could go to a better home
reviewed Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim on + 23 more book reviews
I didn't get it.