Holidays on Ice
 | |
| Author | David Sedaris |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Essay and short story collection |
| Publisher | Little, Brown and Company |
Publication date | December 1997 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover and Paperback) |
| Pages | 128 pp (first edition, hardcover) |
| ISBN | 0-316-77998-9 (first edition, hardcover) |
| OCLC | 37187549 |
| 813/.54 21 | |
| LC Class | PS3569.E314 H65 1997 |
| Preceded by | Naked |
| Followed by | Me Talk Pretty One Day |
Holidays on Ice is a 1997 collection of essays about Christmas, some new and some previously published, by David Sedaris.
Sedaris is named by Time as America’s Favorite Humorist[1] and was named by The Economist as one of the funniest writers alive.[2] This is one of his first works, which when originally published, was re-released with additional new passages, most of which have been previously cited by other authors.[3]
Some online fans have written that Sedaris' style of writing on this particular collection is precise, at times dark, and very funny.[4]
The most popular essay is “Santaland Diaries”, which is Sedaris’ take on working as an elf at a department store grotto during Christmas season.
"Holidays on Ice" was re-released in October 2008 by publisher, Little, Brown & Company. The book has 176 pages.
Contents
SantaLand Diaries
"SantaLand Diaries" recounts Sedaris' experiences working as an elf at Macy's department store.[5] The essay was originally broadcast on NPR, and is also included in Sedaris' first book Barrel Fever.
Season's Greetings to Our Friends and Family!!!
A Christmas letter from the Dunbar clan detailing matriarch Mrs. Dunbar's slow descent into insanity during the holiday season — belied by her insistently cheerful tone — as she is forced to cope with the discovery of her husband's infidelity, the resultant prostitute stepdaughter left in their care, and her drug-addict daughter's premature pregnancy. Also first published in Barrel Fever.
Dinah, the Christmas Whore
Sedaris recalls the Christmas that he was taken on a late-night ride downtown by his sister, Lisa, to rescue a prostitute from her abusive boyfriend. This story was also published in Sedaris' 1997 book Naked.
Front Row Center with Thaddeus Bristol
A review of the local grade school's Christmas pageant.
Based on a True Story
Where a member of the media begs a church congregation for information on a heartbreaking story.
Christmas Means Giving
Where battling neighbors try to outdo each other with holiday generosity.
References
- ^ The Unexamined Life? He Never Heard of It Retrieved 17 April 2013
- ^ Humour: A bucket of hydrangeas Retrieved 17 April 2013
- ^ 10 Questions for David Sedaris at Time Magazine Retrieved 17 April 2013
- ^ Holidays on Ice on Hachette Book Group Retrieved 17 April 2013
- ^ The Funniest Elf Retrieved 17 April 2013