Santaland Diaries & Seasons Greetings: 2 Plays (Paperback)

by David Sedaris (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Dramatists Play Service (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822216310
• ISBN-13: 978-0822216315
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #251,396 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 58 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Santaland, Yes!; This Script, No!, December 28, 2000

By	Theseus "theseus" (US of A) - See all my reviews

"The Santaland Diaries" is superlative satire. The words bristle and delight. Sedaris is a genuine American voice -- witty, sardonic, removed, unpredictable. I have seen "Santaland" work on stage many times. Way funny stuff.

However, don't read a script when you can read the original prose (available in at least 3 different paperbacks.) You could even track down Sedaris reading it aloud. DPS is one of the great publishers in the history of the theatre, but a script is a backwards way to encounter "Santaland" on the page.

As far as "Seasons Greetings" goes, well, let's just say that this is not a piece of writing for the ages.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well worth reading, April 19, 2002

By	lemonzest "lemonzest" (Japan) - See all my reviews

I picked up this book at the library after recognizing the title of "The Santaland Diaries" from posters I had seen in downtown Pittsburgh at Christmastime. Figuring it would be a quick read, I borrowed it and started paging through it.

I don't think I ever stopped laughing.

"The Santaland Diaries" is a hilarious one-man play about the author's experiences working as an elf in Santaland at Macy's department store in New York City. Chronicling everything from his dismay at having to choose an 'elf name' to be referred to as, to his questionable co-workers (including profiles of all the Santas and the woman who desperately wanted to wear her costume home everyday), the quality of visitors, and his final relief at the end of the season, Sedaris has put together a brilliant piece of work.

I only regret that I missed the chance to see this performed at Christmastime, and hope that I have a chance to see a future show. It's worth a read, at the very least, and you may find yourself quoting it as I have ("It breaks my heart to see a grown man dressed as a taco" is one of my favorite lines, and I find ways to use it in conversation entirely too often). Great for a quick pick-me-up.

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should be required to read this during the holidays!, January 12, 2007

By	M. Ediger (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I laughed out loud reading these plays! Seriously, David Sedaris is one warped individual who has given all of us the gift of sharing his experiences! You will not be sorry you read this. Unless, of course, you are really uptight. If you need a good laugh, a good irreverent laugh... this is for you!