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David Sedaris

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Calypso Hardcover – May 29, 2018

by David Sedaris (Author)

16,358 ratings

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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.

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

An Amazon Best Book of June 2018: Reading ruminations on middle age and mortality is not typically a cheery exercise, unless David Sedaris is doing the writing. Many of the essays in Calypso are set at the “Sea Section”—Sedaris’s retreat on the Carolina coast. There, his family whiles away the holidays playing cutthroat board games, baking in the sun, and feeding tumors to snapping turtles (yes, you read that right). In others, he describes shopping shenanigans in Japan (you can thank him for the resurgence of the culotte, or not), his unhealthy Fitbit obsession, and a side vocation picking up trash near his Sussex home. All provide the sort of everyday fodder that is ripe for his beloved brand of witty repartee. But Calypso is as dark as it is droll; it also touches on his late mother’s alcoholism, his sister’s suicide, and a sometimes strained relationship with an irascible father. Any one of these things could fracture a family but it’s clear from these pages that their bond is strong. Calypso is David Sedaris’s funniest, most outrageous, most moving offering yet. —Erin Kodicek, Amazon Book Review

Review

"This book allows us to observe not just the nimble-mouthed elf of Sedaris's previous work, but a man in his seventh decade expunging his darker secrets and contemplating mortality...The brilliance of David Sedaris's writing is that his very essence, his aura, seeps through the pages of his books like an intoxicating cloud, mesmerizing us so that his logic becomes ours...The geeks really do inherit the earth."―Alan Cumming, New York Times Book Review

"The king of the humorous essay returns with a brand-new collection -- his first in five years. Sedaris fans will find plenty of familiar delights: His misanthropic charms and wry wit are as delightful as ever, even if some of the subject matter has changed. From his new vacation home on the coast of North Carolina, he writes about the concerns of health and aging, treating us to a story about the persnickety doctor who refused to let him keep a noncancerous tumor that he'd planned to feed to a snapping turtle once removed. We can only assume that the audiobook version of Calypso will be the perfect travel companion during road trips and getaways this spring and beyond."―Maris Kreizman, New York Magazine

"Age and family occupy beloved humorist Sedaris's latest collection of essays. His observations feel sharper and often darker than in previous collections, as he ponders the inevitable breakdown of the human body, the shame attendant with illness and age, the nature of addiction, and the eccentricities of his family. Though middle age may have made his shades of gray blacker, the wit and incisiveness that make Sedaris much-adored remain."―Lauren Hubbard, Harper's Bazaar

"Honest, reflective, and even tender...Eloquent and silly, Sedaris' collection could probably find unshakable life even in the dust kitties under the bed...He gets you laughing even as he gently turns you toward the darkness we all must face."―Caroline Leavitt, San Francisco Chronicle

"David Sedaris's new essay collection is the sharpest retort to anyone who thinks they know what our favorite curmudgeonly humorist will be up to next. His charming observational humor is still the engine, but there's nothing frivolous about it. In the wake of his sister's suicide, Sedaris grapples poignantly and satisfyingly (and yes, often hilariously) with death, the aging body, and just how far the bonds of family can stretch."―Alex Postman, Conde Nast Traveler

"David Sedaris's biggest strength as an essayist and a humorist lies in his remarkable power of observation, of detecting the humor and pathos is the everyday conversations most of us don't register. His attention and wit are as incisive as ever, but Sedaris brings a stronger sense of self to the pages of Calypso...It's both warmer and bleaker than any Sedaris that's come before."―Laura Adamczyk and Caitlin Penzeymoog, AV Club

"If there's one thing you can count on in life, it's Sedaris to leave you giggling on the beach in both humor and horror. His latest collection of stories is a bit more serious than his previous, but even when the Sedaris clan is at its worst, the humorist reveals their antics with his characteristic wit in a way that manages to both soften and sharpen the dark truths behind the stories he tells."―Allison McNearney, Daily Beast

"Sedaris is widely considered is widely considered America's leading humorist, and his new book Calypso does nothing but burnish that reputation."―Nic Brown, Garden & Gun

"Laugh-out-loud funny, true and introspective."―Holly Silva, St Louis Post-Dispatch

"With this tenth book, Sedaris demonstrates yet again what makes him the best American humorist writing today: a remarkable ability to combine the personal with the political, the mundane with the profane, slime with sublime, and hilarity with heart."―Heller McAlpin, NPR

"The beauty of David Sedaris's personality---and what keeps his readers coming back for best-selling book after best-selling book---is his unwavering dedication to a helter-skelter train of thought...Calypso is his most personal and open book yet, shedding light on his late sister's struggle with mental health, his mother's addiction, and his own experiences with the legalization of gay marriage, but it still finds plenty of room for laughs."―Seija Rankin, Entertainment Weekly

"Calypso is the most family-centered of his books yet and, although much of it is very funny, it's also his most melancholy as it addresses aging and loss...it ranges across a number of other subjects as well, often with Sedaris's trademark off-center, self-deprecating humor."―Colette Bancroft, Tampa Bay Times

"If you're ever stuck in an elevator or airport, just pray for David Sedaris to appear. Time passes quickly with this national treasure of a storyteller. Reading Calypso is like settling into a glorious beach vacation with the author, whose parents, siblings and longtime boyfriend, Hugh, feel like old friends to faithful readers...While Sedaris is laugh-out-loud funny in his brilliant, meandering way, it's his personal reflections that will stay with you."―Alice Cary, Bookpage

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown and Company; First Edition (May 29, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0316392383
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316392389
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.88 x 1 x 8.5 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #92,948 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #214 in Essays (Books)
- #245 in Humor Essays (Books)
- #1,066 in Fiction Satire

Customer Reviews:
16,358 ratings

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David Sedaris

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David Sedaris lives in Paris. Raised in North Carolina, he has worked as a housecleaner and most famously, as a part-time elf for Macy's. Several of his plays have been produced, and he is a regular contributor to ESQUIRE and Public Radio International's 'This American Life'.

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Customers say

Customers find the book hilarious throughout, with one mentioning it's filled with life stages that make them laugh out loud. Moreover, the writing is well-crafted and easy to read, while the author's unique perspective on life resonates with many readers. Additionally, the book receives praise for its authenticity and touching nature. However, the story length receives mixed reactions, with some loving the story choices while others note the lack of a direct storyline, and the book contains moments of sadness that some find depressing.

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Humor Thought provoking Writing quality Pacing Authenticity Touch level Sadness Story length

539 customers mention "Humor"471 positive68 negative

Customers find the book hilarious, with many mentioning they laugh out loud throughout the book, and one customer particularly appreciating the stories about his father.

"...David Sedaris makes his book easy to read with the use of self-deprecating humor and relatable stories that anyone with a family could..." Read more

"...In Calypso there are some great moments with his father and some hilarious stories about shopping with his sisters...." Read more

"Calypso is David Sedaris’s most intimate book, a tender, funny, and challenging memoir from an author renowned for writing humor that lays bare his..." Read more

"David Sedaris is a master at writing humor, this book was both touching and hilarious at the same time. I recommend all his books." Read more

235 customers mention "Thought provoking"220 positive15 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, appreciating its unique perspective on life and evocative portrayal of family dynamics.

"...He has a way of making these moments in the book very moving, causing you to feel sorry for his family. Sedaris even brings in stories of gay..." Read more

"...is David Sedaris’s most intimate book, a tender, funny, and challenging memoir from an author renowned for writing humor that lays bare his own and..." Read more

"There is no doubt that David Sedaris is a gifted storyteller. I was amazed at how he could turn everyday life events into print-worthy essays...." Read more

"...It's a heartwarming tale. "Only in America" I like to say...." Read more

137 customers mention "Writing quality"122 positive15 negative

Customers find the book well written and easy to read, with brief essays throughout.

"...Despite such themes, David Sedaris makes his book easy to read with the use of self-deprecating humor and relatable stories that anyone with a..." Read more

"...He writes with great clarity of the mental health challenges that she faced, the fights she inflicted on her family, and his own sanity-preserving..." Read more

"...The man writes so well, I could retype the whole book here, but I'll content myself with one stinger that makes me love David even more, were that..." Read more

"I wholeheartedly love David Sedaris. His wit, his phrasing, his language...." Read more

83 customers mention "Pacing"77 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the pacing of the book, describing it as a classic Sedaris work where customers can count on the author to entertain.

"...You will enjoy Sedaris’ take on his personal life and bask in his impressive ability to make nothing into something." Read more

"Another fabulous piece from David Sedaris. I loved his classic style and humorous tone driving this collection of essays and look forward to his..." Read more

"...pages: you’ll chuckle, cry, empathize, laugh really loud, reflect on your own life, and then cry again. Calypso is his best work...." Read more

"I do so love to read Sedaris’ books. He makes me think, keeps me interested, and often, I laugh aloud. I didn’t laugh aloud as much with this book...." Read more

15 customers mention "Authenticity"15 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the authenticity of the book.

"...His pieces are so remarkable, so individual, because they are honest, generous, and unsentimental no matter the subject matter, even the death of a..." Read more

"...aging parents, a kind of detente with difficult family al struck me as true and deeply deeply hilarious...." Read more

"...I love his honest and humorous depiction of his family with all of their faults and virtues...." Read more

"...With Calypso, he is back on track. Open and honest and as hilarious as ever." Read more

14 customers mention "Touch level"14 positive0 negative

Customers find the book touching.

"David Sedaris is a master at writing humor, this book was both touching and hilarious at the same time. I recommend all his books." Read more

"...Tender and touching at times only to break the somber mood with hilarity." Read more

"Hilarious, touching, snarky, tender, keen, sarcastic, poignant....it's David Sedaris, you can't go wrong...." Read more

"...Warm, funny and touching." Read more

59 customers mention "Sadness"41 positive18 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the sadness in the book, with some appreciating its bittersweet moments while others find it depressing.

"...Both are bittersweet. As with his other books, family is at the heart of most of his writing...." Read more

"...It was funny, sad, poignant and deeply and honestly insightful. Not to be missed." Read more

"...Very very personal and poignant. The end left me sad." Read more

"...newest book of stories entitled CALYPSO will make you laugh, perhaps cry a tiny bit, and love him even more (which I didn’t know was possible), and..." Read more

23 customers mention "Story length"11 positive12 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the story length of the book, with some loving the choice of stories while others note the lack of a direct storyline and abrupt ending.

"...Easy to read. Too much bodily function. No plot, just a series of personal experiences. Don't recommend" Read more

"...Very quick to arrive as well. Wonderful stories overall, very witty and humbling." Read more

"Well, that ending felt abrupt, but beyond that, I truly enjoyed it...." Read more

"Brief essays that are like short stories, humorous, touching reminders of the experiences of ordinary life that lift us out of ourselves and..." Read more

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Lela Best
Will You Laugh Or Cry?
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2019
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Calypso is a collection of stories that focuses on heavy themes, including death, family and aging. Despite such themes, David Sedaris makes his book easy to read with the use of self-deprecating humor and relatable stories that anyone with a family could understand.
The book almost acts as Sedaris’ way of grieving loss in his life. A pivotal character in Calypso is Sedaris’ sister, Tiffany, who Sedaris introduces to readers early in the book through the heart-wrenching story “Now We Are Five.” He speaks on the death of his sister and how her suicide affected him. Although Sedaris does not focus hard on his emotions in this book, you can still sense the feeling of regret and guilt as he talks about his sister. He has a way of making these moments in the book very moving, causing you to feel sorry for his family.
Sedaris even brings in stories of gay marriage, politics, and other hot-button issues that some would be fearful to bring up in writing. Sedaris is not a sugar-coater; he takes the honest approach with these topics and provides a clear stance on his positions. “A Number of Reasons I’ve Been Depressed Lately” is one of the few stories in Calypso where Sedaris showcases his dislike of President Donald Trump, and even talks about how he became nervous at the time of the election when thinking about a Donald Trump presidency.
This sounds rather intense, right? Don’t worry. Sedaris has his way of making these serious topics still laughable. His own awareness of himself is one way that Sedaris is able to be so successful with his humor. He knows that he is an older man who is dying, and he is very mindful of where he comes from. Therefore, it is easy for Sedaris to make fun of himself and allow readers to laugh at him. He also has an impressive way of taking the most mundane instances and turning them into something hilarious. A trip to the airport or picking up trash from the side of the road seem pretty lackluster, but Sedaris makes these moments come to life with his humor.
He also does not drag out a topic for too long. He will not sit on a deep topic for an uncomfortable amount of time. As soon as you think you are walking into a depressing topic, you come upon a paragraph that offers a random, silly comment that makes you laugh. Some of the stories are made up of small tangents, keeping you on your toes and making you fit these things together. This puzzle-like aspect of Sedaris’ writing makes you focus more on what he is trying to say, which makes the reading that more interesting.
The books personal touch and Sedaris’ impressiveness to turn the ordinary into the most entertaining is captivating. The reading truly is an experience and a whirlwind of emotions, making you fight back tears or fight back laughter. Give this book a try if you are looking for something different than a sappy romance novel. You will enjoy Sedaris’ take on his personal life and bask in his impressive ability to make nothing into something.

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Timothy Haugh
Hits & Misses
Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2018
Verified Purchase
I can never really criticize Mr. Sedaris too much. I can always count on some laugh-out-loud moments when reading one of his books, and that is something that I rarely find in my reading. I will never dismiss that easily. Still, in this book there were some misses for me as well as hits.

I generally prefer it when Mr. Sedaris focuses on writing about his family relationships as well as his relationship with Hugh and their peripatetic lifestyle. In Calypso there are some great moments with his father and some hilarious stories about shopping with his sisters. On the other hand, I found his references to his sister who committed suicide to fit rather disjointedly with other aspects of his stories. I was also a tad disturbed by his off-the-grid tumor removal though, I have to say, I enjoyed his quest to feed said tumor to an old turtle.

So, in the end, I wouldn’t pass this one up even if I feel he has been more consistently funny and thought-provoking in some of his other books.

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4 people found this helpful

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ELAINE BUCKLEY
A Quirky Journey towards Healing
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2019
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Calypso is David Sedaris’s most intimate book, a tender, funny, and challenging memoir from an author renowned for writing humor that lays bare his own and his family’s soul. In Calypso, he spares no one, especially himself.

The central theme of the book is his sister Tiffany’s suicide and the emotional turmoil that follows. He writes with great clarity of the mental health challenges that she faced, the fights she inflicted on her family, and his own sanity-preserving estrangement from her. In the aftermath of the suicide, all the Sedaris family has left left are strange clues—like a phone number written on her apartment wall—to try to comprehend why Tiffany would take an overdose of prescription medication and then tie a plastic bag over head.

Against the suicide’s backdrop, he is forced to face issues around caring for his elderly father, who lives alone and in increasingly-eccentric fashion, determined not to use electricity in order to leave a larger inheritance to the surviving children. More than two decades after his mother’s death, David grapples with residual sadness that she died before he achieved literary success, without their ever confronting her about the alcoholism that left her a mess each night. He expresses his poignant longing to have had the chance to spoil her.

Still, Calypso is about a family drawing closer after a tragedy. Attempting to recreate the summer vacations of their childhood, Sedaris purchases the Sea Section, a duplex on the beach in North Carolina, where he encounters a deformed snapping turtle, a vacationing former FBI Director, and man-eating sharks that fail to terrify his boyfriend Hugh. In their own unique, strange, and often-hilarious way, the Sedaris family heals. Every step along their quirky journey is a joy to read.

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6 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer
Painfully funny
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2025
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Deliciously petty, identifiably hysterical. Man, it made me miss my family. Favorite quote "I haven't liked you since 2002!" I look at my late husband 's portrait and say "You see!"

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Cols
I loved this book, it's just so funny and brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 24, 2023
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This book is full of delightful stories and i loved it. The writing is superb, and the stories are so unique and amusing. I thoroughly recommend this book. I am going to have to read more books by David, they are just so beautifully written and funny !

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Loved it!
Reviewed in India on April 30, 2019
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Loved it... David Sedaris is addictive...

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Lizzie Weitendorf
Hilarious and emotional. Brilliant
Reviewed in Germany on June 20, 2024
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Well its just David Sedaris being onto of his game loved it it made me laugh so much and then slapped me in the face with it's human truths!! BRILLIANT!

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Mônica de Mattos Silva
Diversão madura e consciente
Reviewed in Brazil on July 2, 2018
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Muito divertido. Um retrato inteligente e crítico da sociedade norte-americana atual e suas contradições. E muito, muito bem escrito, tornando a leitura muito prazerosa.

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steven redant
Kept me awake
Reviewed in Spain on May 30, 2020
Verified Purchase
I read books on my phone with the Kindle app to pass time when insomnia hits (with the black screen I need less light). But this book kept me awake, made me laugh out loud in the middle of the night.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Will You Laugh Or Cry?

4.0 out of 5 stars Hits & Misses

5.0 out of 5 stars A Quirky Journey towards Healing

5.0 out of 5 stars Painfully funny

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book, it's just so funny and brilliant

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious and emotional. Brilliant

4.0 out of 5 stars Diversão madura e consciente

5.0 out of 5 stars Kept me awake

Will You Laugh Or Cry?

Hits & Misses

A Quirky Journey towards Healing

Painfully funny

I loved this book, it's just so funny and brilliant

Loved it!

Hilarious and emotional. Brilliant

Diversão madura e consciente

Kept me awake