David Sedaris’s “Me Talk Pretty One day,” is a cross between a funny read and a rambling diary, in which the author tells an autobiographical story about his life in North Carolina, New York City, and France.

The book might stir several chuckles when the reader sees little Sedaris struggle with speech therapy, then fight to get through college with an addiction to hard drugs, to Sedaris finding the differences of life in Europe and the United States. 

The descriptions of Sedaris’s family and the way they all interact with each other are hilarious. Sedaris’s brother, who cusses like a gangster but has a North Carolina accent, refers to himself as “the rooster” and is not afraid of calling even his mother and father by disrespectful names

Sedaris’s sisters are not as fleshed out as the rest of the family but are still interesting people as well when mentioned. 

The parents are the most flavorful characters in the novel. They are also the most likable for their unique mannerisms.  

For instance, the father loves jazz and is not afraid of eating expired foods after hiding them in weird places. 

More on the family would have been desirable. They are the stars of the autobiography but only because Sedaris’s presentation is well done and sound.