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Matthew's Reviews > Calypso
Calypso
by
by
Matthew's review
bookshelves: 2018, audio, humor, library, non-fiction, favorites, gr_awards_2018
Aug 16, 2018
bookshelves: 2018, audio, humor, library, non-fiction, favorites, gr_awards_2018
I think this is Sedaris’s finest work to date. While sticking with his usual humor and cynical delivery, he gets raw talking about topics like suicide, alcoholism, the afterlife, aging, etc. I found myself very emotionally engaged throughout the book and wanted to reach into it and give him a hug from time to time (which, no doubt, he would find disturbing and certainly have something to say about!)
If you have not read Sedaris before, I think he is one of the best memoir-ists of our time. While his stories are almost always his viewpoint on events that happened to him, it is very easy for the reader to find them relatable. I can’t imagine making the stories from my day to day as interesting as he does. His delivery and timing are perfect with just the right amount of shock value. Not all fans of a genre like stand-up comedy will find him amusing, but he definitely fits that genre and takes it up another level.
As mentioned above, this is the real-est I have ever seen Sedaris � and, generally he seems pretty real. But, I just don’t remember in the past starting off on one of his stories laughing and then finding myself near tears a few moments later. It is, without a better way to describe it, perfect Sedaris. That is it � he has honed his skills over the years and perfected them with this collection.
Do yourself a favor � no matter who you are � check out Sedaris. If you are already a Sedaris fan, check this out ASAP. It is truly awesome!
If you have not read Sedaris before, I think he is one of the best memoir-ists of our time. While his stories are almost always his viewpoint on events that happened to him, it is very easy for the reader to find them relatable. I can’t imagine making the stories from my day to day as interesting as he does. His delivery and timing are perfect with just the right amount of shock value. Not all fans of a genre like stand-up comedy will find him amusing, but he definitely fits that genre and takes it up another level.
As mentioned above, this is the real-est I have ever seen Sedaris � and, generally he seems pretty real. But, I just don’t remember in the past starting off on one of his stories laughing and then finding myself near tears a few moments later. It is, without a better way to describe it, perfect Sedaris. That is it � he has honed his skills over the years and perfected them with this collection.
Do yourself a favor � no matter who you are � check out Sedaris. If you are already a Sedaris fan, check this out ASAP. It is truly awesome!
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Reading Progress
August 12, 2018
–
Started Reading
August 12, 2018
– Shelved
August 12, 2018
– Shelved as:
2018
August 12, 2018
– Shelved as:
audio
August 12, 2018
– Shelved as:
humor
August 12, 2018
– Shelved as:
library
August 16, 2018
– Shelved as:
non-fiction
August 16, 2018
– Shelved as:
favorites
August 16, 2018
–
Finished Reading
November 21, 2018
– Shelved as:
gr_awards_2018
Comments Showing 1-41 of 41 (41 new)
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message 1:
by
Katie
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Aug 16, 2018 06:07AM
Loved this one! He's my fave.
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Katie wrote: "Loved this one! He's my fave."I have enjoyed him in the past - but this blew me away!
Thanks Matt. I’m a big Sedaris fan. To hear that this is his best work yet is quite a statement after Naked and Barrel Fever. I’m reading this soon. Plus I need a laugh.
Peter wrote: "Thanks Matt. I’m a big Sedaris fan. To hear that this is his best work yet is quite a statement after Naked and Barrel Fever. I’m reading this soon. Plus I need a laugh."Oh - those are two I haven't read yet - I will have to get to those soon!
Great review, Matt! I love David Sedaris so I have been eyeing this one. And thanks for the recommendation!
Linda wrote: "Great review, Matt! I love David Sedaris so I have been eyeing this one. And thanks for the recommendation!"Thank you! I look forward to seeing what you think!
Wonderful review Matthew! I loved this book and it’s the only one of his that I’ve read.
Karen wrote: "Wonderful review Matthew! I loved this book and it’s the only one of his that I’ve read."Thanks! :)
Well, I thought this was the best . . . so, I hope you are not disappointed if you try another! But, his other stuff is good, too. This just pushed that bar a bit higher.
Awesome review ! If he was able to get you to identify with him then his mission as a writer is accomplished.
Shaina wrote: "Awesome review ! If he was able to get you to identify with him then his mission as a writer is accomplished."Exactly - it was not just a book, it was an experience!
Those are the best kind! I’m glad for you. Now others will experience it bc you shared. Like I had no idea about this, so thank you.
Great review, Matthew. Thank you for the recommendation�
David Sedaris is a unique individual and a gifted story teller. He packs the house just like the best stand up comics. You must read his early work Matt. When I traveled a lot for work years ago, I read them and would routinely laugh out loud on planes while not talking to anyone. 😳
Shaina wrote: "Those are the best kind! I’m glad for you. Now others will experience it bc you shared. Like I had no idea about this, so thank you."You are very welcome! 😁
Sharyl wrote: "Great review, Matthew. Thank you for the recommendation�"Thank you, Sharyl! I hope you enjoy!
Peter wrote: "David Sedaris is a unique individual and a gifted story teller. He packs the house just like the best stand up comics. You must read his early work Matt. When I traveled a lot for work years ago, I..."I have read several, but not all - still need to track down the others. He is always unique and interesting!
I have read all of his and am loving this new one! I am listening because I love to hear him read his own books! I even got to hear him read in person once! So fun!!
You've got my attention on this, Matthew. Great review.
Terris wrote: "I have read all of his and am loving this new one! I am listening because I love to hear him read his own books! I even got to hear him read in person once! So fun!!"Oh, yes! Listening to him is the best!
Saul wrote: "You've got my attention on this, Matthew. Great review."Thanks, Saul! Enjoy if you give it a try!
I’m half way through Matt, listening to this one which is fun since Sedaris does the voiceover. While I can’t yet ascribe to your view that this is the funniest of his works, I’ll agree it’s the rawest. He’s always talked about his family but not about deeply personal and painful moments. Some of his reactions to his sister’s suicide are not what I’d expect and find it somewhat courageous in this attack-first world that he’d risk airing his innermost thoughts when they might not make him look like the cute and cuddly guy with the wry wit.
Peter wrote: "I’m half way through Matt, listening to this one which is fun since Sedaris does the voiceover. While I can’t yet ascribe to your view that this is the funniest of his works, I’ll agree it’s the ra..."I would say that I was not thinking it his funniest, but his finest. The perfect combination of humor and raw heart wrenching storytelling - and the suicide discussion certainly sets the tone for what is an extra special journey into the mind of Sedaris. Glad you are enjoying so far!
Ah. I stand corrected. You did say finest and I assumed funniest. You were precise and I was not. Perhaps Sedaris is moving into a new part of his career where he’ll have more serious work weaved in with his humor.
Peter wrote: "Ah. I stand corrected. You did say finest and I assumed funniest. You were precise and I was not. Perhaps Sedaris is moving into a new part of his career where he’ll have more serious work weaved..."
😊 No worries! Just wanted to make sure!😊
I love David Sedaris and look forward to reading this, love your review Matthew!
Thanks for the suggestion! Definitely going to give it a read.
Glenda wrote: "I love David Sedaris and look forward to reading this, love your review Matthew!"Thanks, Glenda! I hope you enjoy!
Heather wrote: "Thanks for the suggestion! Definitely going to give it a read."No problem! I look forward to seeing what you think!
I thought this one was his best to date for all those reasons as well. This one did seem deeply personal and all the more engaging because of it.
Wendy wrote: "I thought this one was his best to date for all those reasons as well. This one did seem deeply personal and all the more engaging because of it."I was so glad for my experience with this!
I have made what is probably a mistake in the past of jumping around through the timeline of his books. I am guessing it would have been a better and more fulfilling experience if I had progressed through them in order!
Elyse wrote: "Agree":)
Matthew, I’m a total fan of Sedaris, and agree with everything you said in your excellent review. You nailed it!
Toni wrote: "Matthew, I’m a total fan of Sedaris, and agree with everything you said in your excellent review. You nailed it!"Thanks, Toni! Yes, he is very entertaining to listen to! And, even though his format and delivery are almost always the same, it is amazing how the overall feel of his work changes from book to book.
Matthew, agreed, Sedaris' best since "Naked", maybe the best of all because I know these people: David and Hugh and Tiffany and David's Mom and Amy and the rest. Lovely, funny
Greg wrote: "Matthew, agreed, Sedaris' best since "Naked", maybe the best of all because I know these people: David and Hugh and Tiffany and David's Mom and Amy and the rest. Lovely, funny"Naked is one I haven't read - I will have to check it out soon!
Seems like whenever I find a new book I want to read, you have already read it and provided a review! Thanks for making the effort - I read what people think before investing my time (and dollars) into a new read.
AMELIA wrote: "Seems like whenever I find a new book I want to read, you have already read it and provided a review! Thanks for making the effort - I read what people think before investing my time (and dollars) ..."My pleasure, Amelia! Happy to help! And, I hope I have never steered you wrong.
Another great read recommendation. Thanks for directing me to so many good books!
Kat, lover of bears... wrote: "Another great read recommendation. Thanks for directing me to so many good books!"Awesome, Kat! Glad you loved it! I am always happy to help! 😁
Liking this one a lot. Will you be reading his newest one coming out soon?
Jake wrote: "Liking this one a lot. Will you be reading his newest one coming out soon?"I always keep my eye out for new stuff from him. It seems like often lately when I find something from him I haven’t read it is just a compilation of stuff that I have already read.
