The Tipping Point

David Sedaris is back with a new collection of essays, “When You Are Engulfed in Flames.” He spoke with NEWSWEEK’S SUSANNA Schrobsdorff.

You ’ ve been living in France a long time. Can you be funny in French now?

Oh, yes. But I don’t distinguish between being laughed with and laughed at. I’ll take either.

Are you looking forward to coming back for the book tour?

I am, but once it starts, it’s so all-encompassing. For the last book tour, I put a tip jar on my table, because you just have to make it fun. I didn’t even do it every night and I made $4,000. ...