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Calypso
- Narrated by: David Sedaris
- Length: 6 hrs and 39 mins
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Calypso
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Summary
A New York Times Notable Book of 2018
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 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 writing has 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 tumour joke. Calypso is simultaneously Sedaris's darkest and warmest book yet - and it just might be his very best.
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Critic reviews
"Unquestionably the king of comic writing...Calypso is both funnier and more heartbreaking than pretty much anything out there." (Hadley Freeman, Guardian)
“In Calypso, David Sedaris’s essays marry meditations on family, suicide, grief and mortality with the hazards of bodily functions and frequent travel for his massively popular public readings. Sedaris is as much standup comic as writer, making this a great audio and one for the car journey.” (Aminatta Forna)
What listeners say about Calypso
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- Anonymous User
- 28-02-23
Top 2 this year
Very well written! Loved the combined topics. I will recommend this book to everyone! X aslo checkout audibledeals dot com low cost credits
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 21-06-23
Love David Sedaris
Second book I’ve listened to of David’s. Engaging, funny and some heartfelt stories. Would recommend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 26-11-23
Love it
Just brilliant- I love him so much! He is so funny and his dry humour kills me
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- Antonio
- 21-07-18
One of his best
Totally loved this book. Tender, observant and frequently hilarious. I’ve read everything he’s written and this is one of his best
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Bluebelle
- 27-07-18
Dry humour at its very best
Sedaris is, in my opinion, a genius in writing. His darkly comic observations on all aspects of life, from rubbish collection to suicide, are handled in a way that neither disregards decency or humour. While we may not all share in his life experience, the open and unfiltered accounts he give leave the reader with the feeling of stepping in and out of someone else’s life and mind. Furthermore, his execution emphasises every possible piece of comedy and is even better as an audiobook than a written novel for it. As his most recent work (in 2018), it focuses more on middle age so I might consider downloading some of his earlier works first if you are new to him, but you will not miss out by starting with ‘Calypso’ either. So, unless you are extremely squeamish, this should be a compulsory listen.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Catsonthebed
- 15-03-20
David
David Sedaris is one of the great writers, intelligent, saterical, honest and utterly hysterical. Granted, not everyone's cup of tea, but who would want that? I first heard him on NPR's ChristmS story program and have been hooked ever si ce. I love this man!
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- Mrs. Philippa Marler
- 12-05-22
Just, perfect
Laugh out loud. Gasp in scandalisation. Cry involuntarily. I can’t imagine reading this book. It has to be heard from David’s own mouth. Loved every minute.
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- Whistling Woman
- 02-06-18
Another Slice of Sedaris Life
More essays about the life of David Sedaris and the characters that inhabit it, mostly hysterically funny, sometimes piercingly poignant and very occasionally heartbreakingly sad. Never boring, that's for sure. I listened to this in two big chunks as I always feel, somehow, befriended by the author and wanting to join in the conversation. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Killiegirl
- 23-04-19
Totally unable to switch off!!
I have only recently come across David by hearing him on BBC Radio 4. He has such an amazing voice and I found his writing so incredibly real that I thought I’d give Audible a try and combine both. His humour is self-deprecating- some of it subtle; some of it so in your face but all of it insightful and honest. Loved, loved, loved this and can’t wait to try another!!
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1 person found this helpful
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- Mr G John
- 27-10-19
On form
I got a little over saturated with Sedaris so took a break. Calypso is the first I've read in quite awhile & I found it to be amongst his best work.
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