
Calypso
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Narrated by:
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David Sedaris
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Written by:
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David Sedaris
About this listen
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 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.
©2018 David Sedaris (P)2018 Hachette AudioYou may also enjoy...
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What the critics say
"The latest essay collection by humorist David Sedaris is a meditation on aging. It's a sardonic one at that, that he narrates himself in his quintessential tongue-in-cheek fashion.... Fans of Sedaris, who may well be in the middle of their own lives by now, will listen along, laughing, and perhaps wiping away a few tears." (AudioFile)
What listeners say about Calypso
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- 8⁸8
- 2020-03-06
Wanted it to keep going
David Sedaris is a genius. He brings the simple things and the crazy thoughts we all have to life. He reminds us that life is an experience that's best enjoyed imperfectly.
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1 person found this helpful
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- SA Conr
- 2018-09-15
Excellent as always!
I love David Sedaris' humour and the way he writes about the characters in his life! He leaves me laughing out loud at the outrageous stories about his family. I can relate to him easily, and his delivery in narration is spot on. #Audible1
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1 person found this helpful
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- Michelle Holmes
- 2018-06-20
satisfyingly bittersweet
Calypso is both funny and bittersweet, exploring complex themes with a deft touch. Highly recommended!
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- designaholic
- 2019-01-16
Great Narration
This was my first David Sedaris book. I will definitely pick up another. I thought it was very funny, insightful and a heartfelt review of life. I listened to this book on audio with David Sedaris the writer providing the narration. I felt his reading was exceptional, and added significantly to the overall enjoyment of his book.
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2 people found this helpful
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- C Babour
- 2018-09-15
Great Book
Laugh out loud funny! Sedaris has the most amusing way of looking at the everyday and shares his thoughts in such a charming way. #Audible1
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- Brad
- 2018-09-13
Everything you'd expect
His straight narration is good, but I especially enjoy his live bits. Hearing the audience interaction always adds to the performance for me. #Audible1
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- VS
- 2019-01-13
Funny and sad and funny...
At first I thought I'd picked a wrong book for myself, turned out a great listen... Also made me think about my own, children, my own aged parents and how emotional these days are... Nice to hear all the oddness of thoughts from someone else.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Dustin
- 2019-01-26
Literally laugh out loud...
This was my first book by Sedaris, so some of the life history may have been lost on me. But, some of his stories were so funny I found myself laughing, out loud, while out for a walk, or driving to work in the morning. Definitely worth listening to in Sedaris' voice as well!
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- Malaika
- 2020-12-03
Funny
I loved that the author narrated the stories. Gave the stories such a unique flavor and humor that, in my opinion, can only be conveyed by the person who wrote it. David’s memoirs are heartfelt and funny. Highly recommend
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- Amazon Customer
- 2018-09-18
Couldn't have enjoyed more
I've always enjoyed his books, but these essays are even better heard in David Sedaris' voice. I listened at the gym and nearly dropped a barbell on my foot from laughing. This is a more serious, "middle-age" book than usual for him, with somber moments mixed in with the funny. It's a fantastic addition to the David Sedaris canon.
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