Preview
  • Themes and Variations

  • An Essay
  • By: David Sedaris
  • Narrated by: David Sedaris
  • Length: 30 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,830 ratings)

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Themes and Variations

By: David Sedaris
Narrated by: David Sedaris
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Publisher's summary

2020 SOVAS Award Winner for Audiobook Narration—Author Performance—Best Voiceover

An Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestseller.

In this surprising essay, international bestselling humor writer David Sedaris shares the rewards of a book tour and his devoted readers’ worst-kept secrets.

Dismissed by a bored author at a book signing, a betrayed young man named David Sedaris made a vow. Someday, when it was his turn at the table, he’d connect with his readers. The experience has been even more revealing than he’d hoped.

In this hilarious and perceptive essay, the celebrated humorist reflects on the unusual patterns of forced socialization between author and audience, and the obligations and sometimes surprising returns of not-so-chance encounters with strangers: jokes, secrets, insights, and even charity.

©2020 David Sedaris (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.
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Critic reviews

“Author David Sedaris delivers this honest, funny essay with his usual flair…This is a short look at the crazy world we live in by one of its most talented observer-humorists.” (AudioFile Magazine)

What listeners say about Themes and Variations

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

David Sedaris, what else is there to say?

As always, I laughed out loud - I really shouldn't listen to him while at work.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Funny stuff

I just love the humor of this author. His jokes are delivered with a dry sense of humor. This was a super quick read and my only complaint is that I wanted it to be longer.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

He's the best

David Sefaris reading his essays is a treat. Pithy, ironic, and just plain funny. David is a treasure.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Sedaris is a writing hero

3 totally random topics blended together with spot on awareness, humble pie and humor for the last sentence. Great writing.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Short, Entertaining

It's short, light entertainment. Humor is subjective, so this book may not be that funny for some people.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

He had me a "bra".

Love David's stories. One of my favorite storytellers. Always searching for new stories from him and his sister, also.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

David Sedaris always a hit!

Although this is not David Sedaris‘s best work (see Christmas on ice for that) The stories still lend themselves to being funny and some creative work. I always enjoy listening to most everything David Sedaris writes

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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One of his best

Wish it was longer. Loved it. The jokes and the ER room stories were the highlights.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Hilarious!

David Sedaris is brilliant as usual with this short! It is a laugh out loud 30 minutes which is something we all desperately need right now!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Wicked funny

I simply cannot get enough of David!

He comes up with more and more to share, and he is as extraordinarily talented an actor as he is a writer. He deserves his audience waiting in long lines to get his attention. I am constantly searching for everything new he releases.

This piece is worth your time and money!

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