The humor section is the last place an author wants to be. They put your stuff next to collections of Cathy cartoons.

In this quote, David Sedaris humorously reflects on the humor section in bookstores and the challenges of being classified as a humorist. He points out that being placed in the humor section is not necessarily an author’s ideal position, as it often associates their work with lighthearted or cartoonish content—like the Cathy cartoons he references. These cartoons, known for their simplistic humor and stereotypes, are often seen as less sophisticated than other forms of writing, making it a place where serious authors might not want their works to be grouped.

Sedaris’ comment also speaks to the perception of humor writing as less serious or important compared to other genres, like literary fiction or nonfiction. By equating the placement of his work next to cartoons, he implies that humor writing can sometimes be dismissed as trivial or not as intellectually demanding. For authors who want their writing to be taken seriously, being lumped into the humor section can feel like a disservice to their craft.

The quote reflects Sedaris’ own self-awareness as a humorist and his understanding of how humor can be marginalized in the literary world. As an author known for blending humor with depth, he likely feels that his work transcends the boundaries of light humor, offering more than just laughs but also insightful commentary. By making this remark, Sedaris draws attention to the way humor is often categorized in a way that can limit its perceived value.

Ultimately, Sedaris uses humor to comment on the limitations of genre classification and the challenges authors face when their works are reduced to a singular label. The quote suggests that humor, while an essential and enjoyable part of writing, can sometimes be relegated to a less serious category, and Sedaris pokes fun at the irony of this classification.