Calypso

by David Sedaris
Calypso cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Essays / Essay Collections
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Paperback • £12.99
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Technical
  • ID: 1768
  • Added: 2025-10-09
  • Updated: 2025-10-09
  • ISBN: 9781408707838
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2018-05-29
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In Calypso, David Sedaris purchases a beach house on the Carolina coast, dreaming of idyllic vacations filled with board games and relaxation. However, he quickly realizes that no matter where he goes, he can't escape his own quirks and family dynamics. The book is a brilliant mix of humor and poignancy, exploring themes of love, death, and the absurdities of family life. Sedaris' signature wit and keen observations make this a standout collection that resonates with readers on a deeply personal level. /n/n Praised by critics and readers alike, Calypso showcases Sedaris' unique ability to find humor in the mundane and heartbreak in the extraordinary. His essays are a testament to his status as one of the funniest and most insightful writers of our time, offering a glimpse into the universal experiences that connect us all.

Reviews
I've Read This · 2018-07-31
entertaining 4.00

The reviewer finds the book full of gossip, humor, and life-or-death situations, making it an engaging read.

This review emphasizes the book's ability to balance humor with deeper themes, creating an engaging and thought-provoking read. The reviewer praises Sedaris's storytelling and the book's ability to keep readers entertained.

Quick quotes

    Wowee, this is a big book full of gossip, sex, death plots, celebrity name-dropping and life or death situations.

    The book is engaging and thought-provoking.

    Sedaris's storytelling keeps readers entertained.

The Guardian · 2018-07-26
poignant 4.50

The reviewer finds the book rawer and sadder than its predecessors, with Sedaris pulling back the curtain on his family life.

This review highlights the shift in Sedaris's tone, presenting a more serious and introspective look at his family dynamics. The book is described as poignant, showcasing the author's ability to blend humor with deeper emotional themes.

Quick quotes

    Calypso is a rawer, jaggeder, sadder book than its predecessors.

    Sedaris appears to pull the curtain back on his family life.

    The book is poignant, showcasing the author's ability to blend humor with deeper emotional themes.

Goodreads · 2018-05-29
terrific 4.50

The reviewer praises the book as beautifully written, funny, and poignant, with terrific storytelling.

This review highlights the book's balance of humor and poignancy, with the reviewer praising Sedaris's ability to craft engaging and emotionally resonant stories. The book is described as a great read that keeps you laughing and thinking.

Quick quotes

    However, so much of this book was terrific, beautifully written, funny, wry, sarcastic, and even poignant.

    The book is a great read that keeps you laughing and thinking.

    Sedaris's ability to craft engaging and emotionally resonant stories is praised.

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