Reviews tagging 'Suicide'

Calypso by David Sedaris

48 reviews

anniesher23's review against another edition

I found this either boring or disturbing at times. The graphic suicide talk was ultimately what got me to stop reading

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide

citybookspgh's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

5.0

When is Sedaris not a five star read? Of course, I downloaded the audio version for our car ride to the shore, because nothing compares to hearing Sedaris in his own voice. This is the darkest of his books by far, but also the most honest & revealing. The last few essays are the funniest. *Check content warnings* because some of his family revelations may be unsuitable for sensitive or young readers. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Cursing, Suicide, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, and Death of parent

bailiehildebrand's review against another edition

funny reflective relaxing

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

abigailgrims's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective

3.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Racism, Rape, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

geraldinerowe's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny fast-paced

4.75

This is possibly David Sedaris's darkest collection of essays, covering among other topics his sister's suicide and his father's decline into old age. It also has very moving passages: remembering his last conversation with his sister, his changing relationship with his father, and the way he dealt (or rather didn't) with his mother's alcoholism. And yet it also manages to be one of his funniest. Be prepared for some frank lavatorial humour though. And worse.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Excrement, and Vomit

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, and Death

Minor: Addiction, Body shaming, Cancer, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, and Rape

bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.25

In the usual David Sedaris fashion, these stories were exceptional funny and observants. i especially enjoyed how the stories built on each other, sometimes in unexpected and small ways. At times the subject matter failed to totally engage me and the tone could be off putting. not my favorite of his works but still overall a good and entertaining read. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Suicide, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, and Suicide attempt

hannahalane's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Suicide

Minor: Cancer and Death of parent

_enola_'s review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Alcohol

ricilep's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

5.0

Almost everyone who knows David Sedaris loves him. He manages to package heart break, family trauma and just the everyday craziness of his beloved family into these wonderful short stories. This is by no means tragic-comedic. That's how good he is. David Sedaris is a very good observer of himself and the people around him and has a keen eye for the absurdities around him. Especially after reading some of his older books, I couldn't help but notice how much he has honed his craft over the past few decades. 
Also, for those who are wondering why his family name seems familiar to them - his sister Amy Sedaris is also very well known in the US-American Comedy scene.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Suicide

fendeviper's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Suicide, and Death of parent