Genre: Humor, Essay, Nonfiction
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 (Description via goodreads)
While this book is laugh-out-loud funny, it is also darker than Sedaris’ other works. I felt sad when I put it down. I think that this is because there is a lot of introspection and reflection on growing old and dying. Sedaris writes about grieving the loss of his mother, and his sister’s suicide. Through his writing, he reflects on his own actions and shares his feelings in a raw and uncommon way. I thought that it was brave of him to share stories that don’t paint him in the greatest light. His goal isn’t to be likable, it’s to be honest, and I believe that he succeeded.
This is not the book that I would recommend to newcomers. It’s best read by those that already love David Sedaris, as it shows a different side to him–one that might be less charming than what is portrayed in his other books. I believe that this is some of his best work, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
5 Key Components That I Look For:
0=No 1=Yes .5 =Kind of
- Was the book interesting? 1
- Was it easy to finish (even if I didn’t like it)? 1
- Was it emotionally engaging? 1
- Was it memorable? 1
- Would I read it again? 1
5/5 stars
