Customer Reviews

The Book of Liz - Acting Edition

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Being a huge "Talent Family" fan, I was excited to see that they had joined forces and written a play. I can understand that if you are used to reading David's books, this might be a different read for some individuals. I was asked by a local theatre producer to search for some new material for possible productions for a season, so that's why I checked it out. I found it hysterical--of course, I was looking at it from a staging point of view. The fact that it is only 50 (+/-) pages makes it "perfect" for a short play--meaning it would run right around an hour to an hour and a half. I guess if you read plays on a regular basis, you will find it enjoyable like I did. If you're used to reading novels or short stories (especially the ones that David is famous for), and play reading isn't your cup or tea, it might not be as entertaining to you. But, you could do much, much worse for your money. I rate it highly.

As with some of the other reviewers here, I pre-ordered "The Book of Liz" long before its publication, and I was somewhat surprised to see how short it is (although at that price, I shouldn't have been surprised). However, after reading the play I was ultimately satisfied with my purchase. "The Book of Liz" chronicles a very sweaty and naive Squeamish Sister (an obvious play on the Amish) who decides to leave her job making cheeseballs and venture out into the real world. No, I'm not kidding! The plot is as bizarre as you'd expect from the Sedaris siblings.

It should be noted that the play lists Amy Sedaris as the first author, and it definitely reflects her humor more than David's humor. It's kind of a tame variation of her show, "Strangers With Candy." "The Book of Liz" is different and fun, and it gave me a few chuckles. Not bad for such a short and inexpensive tome.

I also saw this play performed and thought it was the funniest live theater I've ever seen. Though I agree that when reading a play you lose a lot (the energy of the performers and the audience reactions) I still think this one is worth having in your collection if you are a fan of either Sedaris.

It seems rather odd that several of the below reviewers are not familiar with acting editions of plays---or, for that matter, with stage plays in general. The "Dramatists Play Service" on the front cover certainly tells us that that is what this is! Not a pamphlet! Not a short story! While reading it,you should try to envision it being performed by actors on a stage, live, in front of an audience (if some of you know what that means...) And, as such, it is really quite entertaining. I don't see it as more than that, but, then again, neither was "Strangers with Candy"

Sister Elizabeth Donderdock is unappreciated in her Squeamish township. (So as not to offend the Amish, the Sedarises replaced the "A" with "Squea". I'm sure no one suspects.) She is the only person who has the secret touch it takes to make the famous Squeamish cheese balls, but the town doesn't realize how important she is until she disappears. Although not David's best work, this play is a lot of fun to read and features a lot of good-natured silliness. On the otherhand, it appears difficult to stage. Make sure you have four good actors who can play male and female roles, Amish as well as alcoholic and can speak Ukranian.

Yup. I preordered this over a year ago, just to finally get a cheaply made short, short play. It's not even that funny. Oh, David and Amy, please release another book! Your'e too good for this!

I totally love both Amy and David Sedaris, but I have to say this was very disappointing, I'm not even sure why they published this. It seems like it would be the kind of thing you would put together just for family members who were there, get it and love whatever you do because you are family. I would caution anyone else from purchasing this.

How could other people find this reading too short. IT'S A PLAY. What's more, It's Amy AND David Sedaris. In other words, funny funny funny-you can't go wrong with those two.

I saw the play in San Francisco a few years ago. It was very funny. The bit about the AA members running the restaurant is very tongue in cheek.

Another Sedaris chuckle fest. This short script is a view into his twisted mind.