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Calypso Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

David Sedaris (Author, Narrator), Little, Brown Audio (Publisher)
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A New York Times Notable Book of 2018

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 writing has 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 tumour joke. Calypso is simultaneously Sedaris's darkest and warmest book yet - and it just might be his very best.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Listening Length
    6 hours and 39 minutes
  2. Author
    David Sedaris
  3. Narrator
    David Sedaris
  4. Audible release date
    29 May 2018
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Little, Brown Audio
  7. ASIN
    B07BZNPPRP
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next slide of product details

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Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
15,721 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the writing style poignant and easy to read. They also find the emotional content touching and funny. Readers describe the comedy as amusing and soporific. They describe the reading experience as brilliant. However, some customers feel the entertainment value is boring and not interesting.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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ComedyWriting styleReading experienceEmotional contentAuthorEmotional impactEntertainment value
51 customers mention ‘Comedy’47 positive4 negative

Customers find the book amusing, dry, and a pure pleasure to read. They also say the author excels in wit, observations, and descriptions of family life. Readers also mention that the book is interesting, warm, and poignant.

"This book is full of delightful stories and i loved it. The writing is superb, and the stories are so unique and amusing...." Read more

"...offended or inspired me or made me laugh out loud but the book is interesting and warm and poignant enough to keep you reading...." Read more

"...It is, to be sure, often amusing - but not the hilarious laugh-fest you might expect." Read more

"David Sedaris writes in a way that is funny, intimate, wistful, dry, observant, hopeful... all at once. One of my comfort reads." Read more

28 customers mention ‘Writing style’25 positive3 negative

Customers find the writing style interesting, warm, and poignant enough to keep them reading. They also say the book is moving, affirming, and tinged with sadness.

"...I am going to have to read more books by David, they are just so beautifully written and funny !" Read more

"...laugh out loud but the book is interesting and warm and poignant enough to keep you reading...." Read more

"...This book is not that. This is a rather touching memoir, presented in a series of self-contained essays, reflecting on Sedaris' life within a..." Read more

"David Sedaris writes in a way that is funny, intimate, wistful, dry, observant, hopeful... all at once. One of my comfort reads." Read more

20 customers mention ‘Reading experience’20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book brilliant and a very successful present.

"Wonderful!! Have enjoyed David Sefdaris's radio shows of diary and other readings for a few years now, but reading the words is even better...." Read more

"...out loud while reading it in bed... So, I would say it was a very successful present and I'm looking forward to reading it myself." Read more

"...This is a brilliant book." Read more

"An extraordinary book. So well crafted , so touching and funny." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Emotional content’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the emotional content touching, funny, and intimate.

"David Sedaris writes in a way that is funny, intimate, wistful, dry, observant, hopeful... all at once. One of my comfort reads." Read more

"...David Sedaris has a warm gentle side - cosy, intimate." Read more

"An extraordinary book. So well crafted , so touching and funny." Read more

"Funny and touching..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Author’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the author fantastic.

"Another fantastic book from David Sedaris. I really can't get enough of his books. I read them slowly to make them last...." Read more

"Sedaris is a genius. Great book. Laugh out loud funny and full of stories that you’d be reciting to others." Read more

"Another brilliant Sedaris book!!!..." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Emotional impact’3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be emotionally impactful. They mention that it moves and embraces them.

"I've read all of his books and they always delight, move and embrace you. This one is so moving, especially the raw truth of his mother...." Read more

"Funny, moving, and insightful read. I didn’t want it to end. My first but not last book by David Sedaris." Read more

"A fabulous read, moving at times but also laugh out loud funny." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Entertainment value’0 positive6 negative

Customers find the book boring, not interesting, and too familiar to keep them engaged. They also say the book rambles on with no real narrative.

"...No different than yours or mine. Not particularly humorous, pretty boring. Pass & save your dosh." Read more

"This book was hard work. It rambled on with no real narrative, and I'm afraid it was not as funny as the author obviously thought it was...." Read more

"...Some very moving stories, but all too familiar to keep me engaged." Read more

"many of the stories I’ve read before and the others aren’t sufficiently interesting to warrant reading, can I get my money back please?" Read more

Book cover not as good as expected.
4 out of 5 stars
Book cover not as good as expected.
I ordered Calipso from Greener Books. It arrived promptly but slightly disappointed that the dust cover was stained and worn. Described as good but I would say fair.Still happy at the price.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

Cols
5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book, it's just so funny and brilliant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 May 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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LUKE ELLIS
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 January 2019
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Easy reading and a few chuckles. Nothing really offended or inspired me or made me laugh out loud but the book is interesting and warm and poignant enough to keep you reading. Good holiday read and broken down into short stories which gives a nice structure. Not read DS before but his American attitudes and humour stand out as an interesting contrast to those of the English. Made me want to read another of his books.
One person found this helpful
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JM Cropper
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Entertainment
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 December 2023
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For once I agree with The Guardian as David Sedaris is indeed 'the king of comic writing'. All human foibles are here to be enjoyed including the author's own. I just love his books but I have to ration myself so that I can spread out the enjoyment. May David Sedaris never stop writing
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Chrissy Frost
3.0 out of 5 stars Moderately amusing memoir
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 12 May 2019
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This is my first experience with David Sedaris and I was, after reading the glowing accolades on the book jacket, expecting a rollicking laugh-out-loud read. This book is not that. This is a rather touching memoir, presented in a series of self-contained essays, reflecting on Sedaris' life within a moderately dysfunctional family. The story includes suicide, alcoholism, bullying by a domineering father and the heart-warming bonds forged by the siblings - still strong and affectionate in spite of the different life paths taken. It is, to be sure, often amusing - but not the hilarious laugh-fest you might expect.
21 people found this helpful
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Mentally insane :)
5.0 out of 5 stars Sedaris does it again
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 September 2023
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David Sedaris writes in a way that is funny, intimate, wistful, dry, observant, hopeful... all at once. One of my comfort reads.
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Jane Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 May 2024
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Good
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Len Rushton
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny with added touches of realism
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 July 2023
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I've listened to David Sedaris on Radio 4 and found it quite hilarious at times. He brings in some sad events, like the death of his sister, which add contrast to the essays. I'd highly recommend reading and listening to his writing.
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Squeaky Joe
5.0 out of 5 stars Funniest book I’ve read in years
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 March 2020
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Writer and essayist David Sedaris first came to my attention on the BBC’s Radio 4 ‘Meet David Sedaris’ series a few years ago. Having found myself completely entranced and highly amused by his stories, I thought it was about time I got hold of one of his books.

In this volume, many of the tales centre around the beach house he bought on the Carolina coast, and the various family interactions that take place at the property. The prospect of getting older and the inevitability of death are very much at the forefront in this collection, and while the author’s knack of turning an ordinary story into an hilarious escapade is still very much in evidence, he also has the power to move the reader to tears.

I chuckled my way through this collection and had many genuine laugh-out-loud moments, so I can say with complete sincerity that this is the funniest book I’ve read in years. David Sedaris is an insightful writer with true comic genius. Buy his books today.
7 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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douglas ribeca
5.0 out of 5 stars Sedaris at his reflective peak
Reviewed in the United States on 24 June 2024
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The reviews all said this wasn’t intended to be a laugh a minute book, but it was actually much more than that. It was funny, sad, poignant and deeply and honestly insightful. Not to be missed.
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Janet McCallum
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun read....
Reviewed in Canada on 8 May 2023
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Love all David Sedaris' books. I am busy reading them all! Big fan :)
One person found this helpful
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Lizzie Weitendorf
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious and emotional. Brilliant
Reviewed in Germany on 20 June 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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steven redant
5.0 out of 5 stars Kept me awake
Reviewed in Spain on 30 May 2020
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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.
One person found this helpful
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Mônica de Mattos Silva
4.0 out of 5 stars Diversão madura e consciente
Reviewed in Brazil on 2 July 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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