Listen free for 30 days

Preview

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Calypso

Written by: David Sedaris
Narrated by: David Sedaris
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $25.24

Buy Now for $25.24

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

David Sedaris returns with his most deeply personal and darkly hilarious book.

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 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.

This is beach reading for people who detest beaches, required reading for those who loathe small talk and love a good tumor joke. Calypso is simultaneously Sedaris's darkest and warmest book yet - and it just might be his very best.

©2018 David Sedaris (P)2018 Hachette Audio
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

What the critics say

"The latest essay collection by humorist David Sedaris is a meditation on aging. It's a sardonic one at that, that he narrates himself in his quintessential tongue-in-cheek fashion.... Fans of Sedaris, who may well be in the middle of their own lives by now, will listen along, laughing, and perhaps wiping away a few tears." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about Calypso

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    417
  • 4 Stars
    94
  • 3 Stars
    21
  • 2 Stars
    14
  • 1 Stars
    7
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    406
  • 4 Stars
    48
  • 3 Stars
    12
  • 2 Stars
    4
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    344
  • 4 Stars
    77
  • 3 Stars
    32
  • 2 Stars
    7
  • 1 Stars
    9

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wanted it to keep going

David Sedaris is a genius. He brings the simple things and the crazy thoughts we all have to life. He reminds us that life is an experience that's best enjoyed imperfectly.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent as always!

I love David Sedaris' humour and the way he writes about the characters in his life! He leaves me laughing out loud at the outrageous stories about his family. I can relate to him easily, and his delivery in narration is spot on. #Audible1

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

satisfyingly bittersweet

Calypso is both funny and bittersweet, exploring complex themes with a deft touch. Highly recommended!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great Narration

This was my first David Sedaris book. I will definitely pick up another. I thought it was very funny, insightful and a heartfelt review of life. I listened to this book on audio with David Sedaris the writer providing the narration. I felt his reading was exceptional, and added significantly to the overall enjoyment of his book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great Book

Laugh out loud funny! Sedaris has the most amusing way of looking at the everyday and shares his thoughts in such a charming way. #Audible1

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Everything you'd expect

His straight narration is good, but I especially enjoy his live bits. Hearing the audience interaction always adds to the performance for me. #Audible1

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Funny and sad and funny...

At first I thought I'd picked a wrong book for myself, turned out a great listen... Also made me think about my own, children, my own aged parents and how emotional these days are... Nice to hear all the oddness of thoughts from someone else.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Literally laugh out loud...

This was my first book by Sedaris, so some of the life history may have been lost on me. But, some of his stories were so funny I found myself laughing, out loud, while out for a walk, or driving to work in the morning. Definitely worth listening to in Sedaris' voice as well!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Funny

I loved that the author narrated the stories. Gave the stories such a unique flavor and humor that, in my opinion, can only be conveyed by the person who wrote it. David’s memoirs are heartfelt and funny. Highly recommend

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Funny Yet Moving

Sedaris's writing is very enjoyable. As always, his humour is smart and his unique point of view on the world had me laughing out loud. Sedaris, who's never been shy to reveal intimate details about his life goes even further in this book, giving a glimpse on a more vulnerable side of his personality. Loved it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!