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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
“Happiness is harder to put into words. It’s also harder to source, much more mysterious than anger or sorrow, which come to me promptly, whenever I summon them, and remain long after I’ve begged them to leave.”
An account of real life incidents and emotions, focusing mostly on family but also on personal fears, pet peeves and embarrassing situations, this book is naturally relatable. It feels as if you’re sitting with a close friend and they’re just letting everything out in their comic narrative style while also somehow leaving you with the real sense of the pain and discomfort behind those catchy punch lines!
I’m sure the book will not lose its charm no matter at which stage of my life I read it - there’s a bit about all of them.
An account of real life incidents and emotions, focusing mostly on family but also on personal fears, pet peeves and embarrassing situations, this book is naturally relatable. It feels as if you’re sitting with a close friend and they’re just letting everything out in their comic narrative style while also somehow leaving you with the real sense of the pain and discomfort behind those catchy punch lines!
I’m sure the book will not lose its charm no matter at which stage of my life I read it - there’s a bit about all of them.
I still recall how I was doubled over, nearly in tears when I heard David Sedaris read one of his essays on NPR, but I haven't read much of any of his books.
That changed this winter, as my book club opted to read a collection of his holiday stories. I wasn't the largest fan of that collection, but a recent essay of his had me interested in this volume.
One of Sedaris's sisters committed suicide, and I encountered his essay, "Now We Are Five," in The New Yorker. My brother committed suicide at 19, so I'm drawn to other accounts of siblings left behind, and Sedaris's reflections felt raw and relatable.
That essay also opens Calypso. I found this collection more relatable and less acerbic than other essays of his, where I'm turned off when his humor is at the expense of others. There is more heart in these essays, so I'd recommend it as a starting point if his earlier humor hasn't quite captivated you (I do have friends who absorb everything he writes and cackle at his humor, but he loses me when his humor feels cruel and outward-facing).
That changed this winter, as my book club opted to read a collection of his holiday stories. I wasn't the largest fan of that collection, but a recent essay of his had me interested in this volume.
One of Sedaris's sisters committed suicide, and I encountered his essay, "Now We Are Five," in The New Yorker. My brother committed suicide at 19, so I'm drawn to other accounts of siblings left behind, and Sedaris's reflections felt raw and relatable.
That essay also opens Calypso. I found this collection more relatable and less acerbic than other essays of his, where I'm turned off when his humor is at the expense of others. There is more heart in these essays, so I'd recommend it as a starting point if his earlier humor hasn't quite captivated you (I do have friends who absorb everything he writes and cackle at his humor, but he loses me when his humor feels cruel and outward-facing).
As always, Sedaris enjoyable and funny. A handful of these short stories made me laugh out loud. I listened to this one. His timing and delivery make it even better.
Loved reading this book. Very personal and honest. Made me wonder why I didn’t pick up Sedaris before!
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Excrement
Moderate: Cancer, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Vomit, Death of parent, Alcohol
This was a pleasant surprise. I've read my fair share of Sedaris ([b:Me Talk Pretty One Day|4137|Me Talk Pretty One Day|David Sedaris|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1431013639s/4137.jpg|1030767], [b:Naked|4138|Naked|David Sedaris|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1394178867s/4138.jpg|2086690], [b:Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim|10176|Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim|David Sedaris|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1352983006s/10176.jpg|2582035]), and I enjoy them, so I knew what to expect. But this one is a bit different. More mature. His sister's suicide starts the book, and it's a constant theme throughout the book, along with family, death, illness and aging. It turns out those are things that add a welcome bit of depth to Sedaris' writing.
It's still very much David Sedaris, so if you don't like his work, it's unlikely this will convert you. But if you do, it's very much worth reading.
It's still very much David Sedaris, so if you don't like his work, it's unlikely this will convert you. But if you do, it's very much worth reading.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced