Me Talk Pretty One Day
Encyclopedia
Me Talk Pretty One Day, published in 2000, is a bestselling collection of essay
s by American humorist David Sedaris
. The book is separated into two parts. The first consists of essays about Sedaris’ life before his move to Normandy
, France
including his upbringing in suburban Raleigh, North Carolina
, his time working odd jobs in New York City
, and a visit to New York from a childhood friend and her rather bumpkinish girlfriend. The second section, "Deux" tells of Sedaris’ move to Normandy with his partner Hugh, often drawing humor from his efforts to live in France without speaking the French language
and his frustrated attempts to learn it. Prior to publication, several of the essays were read by the author on the Public Radio International
program, This American Life
.
In April 2001, Variety
reported that Sedaris had sold the Me Talk Pretty One Day film rights to director Wayne Wang
, who was adapting four stories from the book for Columbia Pictures
with hopes of beginning shooting in late 2001. At the time, Sedaris commented, "It's just one of those things I had never considered. Like, 'What if I de-clawed a kitten?' But I like Wayne Wang a lot." He recommended Jack Lemmon
to play his father and Elaine Stritch
for his mother. Wang had completed the script and begun casting when Sedaris asked to "get out of it," after a conversation with his sister aroused concerns as to how his family might be portrayed on screen. He wrote about the conversation and its aftermath in the essay "Repeat After Me", published in Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
. Sedaris recounted that Wang was "a real prince. I didn't want him to be mad at me, but he was so grown up about it. I never saw how it could be turned into a movie anyway."
Essay
An essay is a piece of writing which is often written from an author's personal point of view. Essays can consist of a number of elements, including: literary criticism, political manifestos, learned arguments, observations of daily life, recollections, and reflections of the author. The definition...
s by American humorist David Sedaris
David Sedaris
David Sedaris is a Grammy Award-nominated American humorist, writer, comedian, bestselling author, and radio contributor....
. The book is separated into two parts. The first consists of essays about Sedaris’ life before his move to Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
including his upbringing in suburban Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, his time working odd jobs in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and a visit to New York from a childhood friend and her rather bumpkinish girlfriend. The second section, "Deux" tells of Sedaris’ move to Normandy with his partner Hugh, often drawing humor from his efforts to live in France without speaking the French language
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and his frustrated attempts to learn it. Prior to publication, several of the essays were read by the author on the Public Radio International
Public Radio International
Public Radio International is a Minneapolis-based American public radio organization, with locations in Boston, New York, London and Beijing. PRI's tagline is "Hear a different voice." PRI is a major public media content creator and also distributes programs from many sources...
program, This American Life
This American Life
This American Life is a weekly hour-long radio program produced by WBEZ and hosted by Ira Glass. It is distributed by Public Radio International on PRI affiliate stations and is also available as a free weekly podcast. Primarily a journalistic non-fiction program, it has also featured essays,...
.
In April 2001, Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
reported that Sedaris had sold the Me Talk Pretty One Day film rights to director Wayne Wang
Wayne Wang
Wayne Wang is a Chinese American film director.-Biography:Wang was born and raised in Hong Kong, and named after his father's favorite movie star, John Wayne...
, who was adapting four stories from the book for Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
with hopes of beginning shooting in late 2001. At the time, Sedaris commented, "It's just one of those things I had never considered. Like, 'What if I de-clawed a kitten?' But I like Wayne Wang a lot." He recommended Jack Lemmon
Jack Lemmon
John Uhler "Jack" Lemmon III was an American actor and musician. He starred in more than 60 films including Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, Mister Roberts , Days of Wine and Roses, The Great Race, Irma la Douce, The Odd Couple, Save the Tiger John Uhler "Jack" Lemmon III (February 8, 1925June...
to play his father and Elaine Stritch
Elaine Stritch
Elaine Stritch is an American actress and vocalist. She has appeared in numerous stage plays and musicals, feature films, and many television programs...
for his mother. Wang had completed the script and begun casting when Sedaris asked to "get out of it," after a conversation with his sister aroused concerns as to how his family might be portrayed on screen. He wrote about the conversation and its aftermath in the essay "Repeat After Me", published in Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim is a 2004 collection of 22 autobiographical essays by American humorist David Sedaris. The essays address the author's upbringing in Raleigh, North Carolina, his relationships with family members, and his work and life in New York City and France.The...
. Sedaris recounted that Wang was "a real prince. I didn't want him to be mad at me, but he was so grown up about it. I never saw how it could be turned into a movie anyway."
One
- Go Carolina - Sedaris is forced to go to his elementary school speech therapist for his lisp.
- Giant Dreams, Midget Abilities - Sedaris's father enrolls him in guitar lessons taught by a midget.
- Genetic Engineering
- Twelve Moments in the Life of the Artist
- You Can't Kill the Rooster - Sedaris's brother, Paul, has a dirty mouth, but kind heart.
- The Youth in Asia
- The Learning Curve
- Big Boy - After going to a party, Sedaris finds himself trying to get rid of a huge turd that was left as a present by the previous visitor.
- The Great Leap Forward
- Today's Special - Sedaris has trouble understanding the many complex food items on menus.
- City of Angels
- A Shiner Like a Diamond
- Nutcracker.com
Deux
- See You Again Yesterday
- Me Talk Pretty One Day - Sedaris recalls attempting to learn French
- Jesus Shaves
- The Tapeworm Is In
- Make That a Double
- Remembering My Childhood on the Continent of Africa - Sedaris discusses the childhood of his partner, Hugh.
- 21 Down
- The City of Light in the Dark - With much to do in Paris, Sedaris rather enjoys going to the movies during the day.
- I Pledge Allegiance to the Bag
- Picka Pocketoni - American tourists mistake Sedaris for a pickpocket while riding the train in Paris.
- I Almost Saw This Girl Get Killed - Sedaris recalls an evening at the county fair near his home in France.
- Smart Guy
- The Late Show
- I'll Eat What He's Wearing