Initial Impressions: Calypso, by David Sedaris – March 2020

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

Comments on this board should be written with the assumption that not all readers have finished the book. Please avoid revealing any spoilers.

[Candi]

I'm hoping to get to this one. It would be my first David Sedaris :)

[Connie]

I've read three books by David Sedaris, and this one was my favorite. It tells about family bonds, but in a humorous way. Recommended!!

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

I listened to a little bit of this last night and it was hilarious. I highly recommend the audio version of his books as he reads them all himself and they are the perfect example of the story-teller's art.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

I have hard copy and audio. Sounds like audio may be the way to go. I’ve only listened to him on Public Radio. Very funny.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

He is one of my very favorite authors. To those of you new to Sedaris, I hope you enjoy every minute. And yes, he is fantastic in audio or print, or in person, if you ever get a chance to see him.

[ALLEN]

Amazing guy. I peeked at the essay about whether he or his partner had slept with the most people, and as usual his take was fresh, funny and unpredictable.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

I’m hoping to start audio tomorrow. Is sedaris the reader?

[Judi]

Laura wrote: "I’m hoping to start audio tomorrow. Is sedaris the reader?"

Yes he is.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Oh my goodness, great so far. I say this all the time, “who are these people!” Glad sedaris feels same way. ❤️

Anybody relate?

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

I relate to every word he writes.

[Judi]

I am a long time fan. I can relate to many of his "issues" and "obsessions". I am NOT a good driver. It freaks me out. I failed driving class in high school. If I had a fitbit I would be totally obsessed with exceeding my daily goal forever. Lovin' the book.

[Judi]

Diane wrote: "I relate to every word he writes."

Me too.

[Candi]

Not too far in, but this is so funny! I've been reading parts of it here and there to anyone who happens to be around :D

[Kimberlee]

His seemingly one man anti-littering clean up obsession. In the dark! he’s doing this. And his partner is sooo chill. If he was my husband I think I’d be hollering through a megaphone, “Your dinner died four hours ago!” Lassie come home.

[Kimberlee]

And he’s sidling up to a wild fox.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

“Juiced what I think was a tennis ball” 😂. He’s describing people I know!!! Heck, he describes myself.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

That's how I feel about his writing. He's either describing me or someone I know. Hilariously. Funny, funny man.

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

If you follow him on FB, you'll get links to the essays he writes for The New Yorker.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Listening to Sedaris May spoil me when it comes to reading his other stuff. I think the other parents are wondering why I’m smiling and laughing so much in the carride pickup line.

[Kimberlee]

Too funny, Laura.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

David sedaris is hilarious but to be truthful I think he could be intimidating in real life. He’s so blunt. No sugar coating. I might be more sympathetic with his Mother in Law. Family dynamics always make things interesting. It’s a wonder any of us get along with how each of us are raised differently.

[Connie]

Laura wrote: "David sedaris is hilarious but to be truthful I think he could be intimidating in real life. He’s so blunt. No sugar coating. I might be more sympathetic with his Mother in Law. Family dynamics alw..."

I would be afraid to say anything if I was part of his family because it might end up in a book! It's a good thing his husband is so tactful and smooths things over. But I enjoy his books.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

Me too! I love his husband (or tax write off). He stays so calm.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

I know I keep pointing out little stuff, but the story following his mothers alcoholism was a nice shift. Picking up a ski mask in case he had to conceal his identity while doing the walk of shame bc he had gastro issues. LOL!!!!!

[Celia]

This is my first David Sedaris book and I'm 100 pages in. If these stories are mostly true, he is a piece of work! The tumor story...seriously?!

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

That one made me squeamish, too much to handle but I continued with it. Haha!

[Candi]

I'm still reading these slowly - a little treat before bedtime each night :) Gosh, it feels good to laugh - just what the doctor ordered right now!

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

I really enjoyed listening to this. My daughter, though, listened to the first story and passed judgement. "Old people are depressing."

[Diane, "Miss Scarlett"]

Just wait til she gets there, Tom.

[Judi]

Diane wrote: "Just wait til she gets there, Tom."

Amen to that! I'm there and I can relate.

[[deleted user]]

Although I just joined the group, I’ve read this book,( and I think every other Sedaris book I could find) and loved them all. Best in audio. This was my favorite.

[Tom, "Big Daddy"]

His books are definitely best enjoyed in audio.

[Laura, "The Tall Woman"]

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cul...

Just a little humor......the items he came back with after trying to hoard had me crying laughing as I read to my hubby.