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readsewknit 's review for:
Calypso
by David Sedaris
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).