David Sedaris returns with his most deeply personal and darkly hilarious book. If you’ve ever laughed your way through David Sedaris’s cheerfully misanthropic stories, you might think you know what you’re getting with Calypso. You’d be wrong. When he buys a beach house on the Carolina coast, Sedaris envisions long, relaxing vacations spent playing board games and lounging in the sun with those … and lounging in the sun with those he loves most. And life at the Sea Section, as he names the vacation home, is exactly as idyllic as he imagined, except for one tiny, vexing realization: it’s impossible to take a vacation from yourself.
With Calypso, Sedaris sets his formidable powers of observation toward middle age and mortality. Make no mistake: these stories are very, very funny–it’s a book that can make you laugh ‘til you snort, the way only family can. Sedaris’s powers of observation have never been sharper, and his ability to shock readers into laughter unparalleled. But much of the comedy here is born out of that vertiginous moment when your own body betrays you and you realize that the story of your life is made up of more past than future.
This is beach reading for people who detest beaches, required reading for those who loathe small talk and love a good tumor joke. Calypso is simultaneously Sedaris’s darkest and warmest book yet–and it just might be his very best.
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Maybe it’s because I’m not middle age yet, but these little short stories just weren’t that funny or interesting (depending on the story). I wanted to like it, even after reading the reviews, but really just ended up forcing myself through them. It wasn’t awful, but I definitely think it’s more for a generation older than mine.
I enjoy most David Sedaris’ books. This was a good one. Although “Me Talk Pretty One Day” is still my all-time fave.
He’s just so honest. I love his books.
Ramblings of an individual and rather sad and twisted memories of his life.
Is there anyone funnier than David Sedaris? He is genius and I can’t wait to read his next book.
Laugh out loud funny and yet we gain a glimpse of what that humor serves to protect. I found many of Sedaris’s insights relatable and appreciated his family’s humor during life’s tragedies. I recommend to everyone who enjoys some twisted, dark humor, anyone who needs to laugh off the stress of aging parents and aging bodies, or anyone who loves comical, revelatory descriptions of the human condition.
First Sedaris I have read and definitely one that will lead to mor
The author gets a little dark in this book. He writes about his mother’s alcoholism, his father’s descent into senescence and hoarding, his crazy sistet and her suicide, siblings, friends and visitors. Through it all he is able to be outrageously funny. I may have to read it again.
Sedaris never fails to deliver stories that are very personal and original.
This was the first David Sedaris book I read (where the heck have I been?). I loved it so much I have devoured everthing he has written since reading this. He is so honest, funny, irreverent, and everything else good. He has made my life richer!
Sedaris’s honesty is irrestistible!
SEDARIS STRIKES GOLD WITH “CALYPSO”!
Sedaris’ last few books, for me, have lacked his magic. That snap, that funny, that sharp remark. When I read the “Calypso” preview, I immediately got in the library queue. It was so good to read this book and laugh out loud like I did with his early works. I don’t know what’s funnier – his family or just the way he writes about them. And how many of us want to hang out with all of them at “Sea Section”? I couldn’t love him more for naming the ‘family beach house’ in only a way Sedaris could do it.
I recently saw Amy Sedaris on the Colbert Show and she told of how the family has an annual tan contest at the beach house. How wonderfully ridiculous and fun does that sound?
The world needs more Sedaris!
Boring and not very funny
Love Sedaris . . . never go wrong with one of his collections.
Worthwhile read! Not my daily bread so to speak but I am grateful for what this author shared with me. The read did stimulate my thinking and I had some good laughs!!! The work does get heavy and serious at times.
I think this might be the best set of personal essays yet by David Sedaris.
As a man who grew up in the South, I understood so many of the things he wrote about. Yes…it was funny as hell…but also serious at the same time. A definite must-read.
David does it again… His stories bring the family and its absurd dynamics to the page with such grace and wit. Come for the Erma Bombeck fireworks, stay for the tumor-eating turtle, and pass it along only to those who deserve it.
I love David Sedaris!
Great