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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David Sedaris best yet.
This book is laugh-out-loud funny!
Loved it. Love everything David Sedaris writes.
Another great book from Sedaris. This one finds him in current day, mostly, versus stories from his younger years. It is quite a bit darker than some of his other books – still bitingly witty, sarcastic, and cynical, but as it centers more around familial deaths, there is a strong element of sadness and loss throughout the book. Overall, another great, laugh out loud read if you are a fan of Sedaris.
Was not his usual humorous writings, did not like book at all.
I think it’s my favorite Sadaris book. The members of his family are just so talented and funny for the most part. Love that they are able to come together and face tragedy head-on and survive to see the humor in life.
David Sedaris is great for a rainy day. I love his unique brand of sardonic wit.
Love David Sedaris. This one has a lot of discussion of death and aging, but still funny.
David Sedaris at this best!
I find this to be the best work of David Sedaris yet. I read it on a plane and my husband kept looking over at what was making me laugh so hard! He tells stories about mostly the aging process and his family. It manages to be hysterical, and yet blend in very sad, insightful thoughts about his sister’s suicide. You will laugh, and you will cry.
Another great by the witty David Sedaris.
Hes older and tired. Tells it straight.
If laughing out loud while reading is your bag, go for this.
More about David’s family, less pithy observations. Proves that all personal humor has its roots in personal pain.
I love David Sedaris. His observations on his friends, family & himself can’t be beat. I recommend the audiobook version of all his books because he does the narration.
A somewhat more mature Sedaris (somewhat) reflects at length on the dynamics of his family. Decidedly more introspective than his earlier works, and I think that’s a good thing. Touching at points, particularly when remembering his mother.
This is a memoir. The author writes about his family, partner, and work life in a way that seems to make a comedy of the missteps, tragedies, and disconnects of his life, but without reducing their significance. He writes of the human condition in what is superficially a light hearted way, but is really a serious investigation of his connections to his family and other loved ones.
May be his funniest yet…
I’m a fan of David Sedaris. I haven’t read anything of his in awhile and needed a good laugh. “Calypso” fit the bill. I love his honesty and clean wit. Your sense of humor should probably lean to the dark, sarcastic side to appreciate this observation of human behavior.
A great page turner! One of my favorite Sedaris Books….laugh out loud, and also very touching, bringing smiles and tears. Love the way he writes. A few kind of gross moments, but hey, David always surprises.