Reviews tagging 'Cancer'

Calypso by David Sedaris

10 reviews

bookwitch's review against another edition

challenging dark funny reflective sad medium-paced

2.0

Some of this was really funny, but some of it was REALLY terrible and cringey. I don't think I will be reading anything else from this author; our sense of humor doesn't completely line up, and if his other books are anything like this one, I will not enjoy any of them.
His one essay about his mother, and how even with such a large family (of outspoken people), NO ONE said anything to her about her alcoholism. That felt pretty personal, as did his essay about how depressed he was after the 2015 election results.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Suicide

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Cancer, Rape, and Suicide attempt

mlampe's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer and Excrement

Moderate: Cancer, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Vomit, Death of parent, and Alcohol

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

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

rachelfisher1309's review against another edition

dark funny

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism and Suicide

Minor: Cancer

kaitlinjohnson's review against another edition

fast-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt

Minor: Cancer

taylor_annotates's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

3.5

this was simultaneously uninteresting and yet very interesting to me

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Cancer, Death, and Suicide

Minor: Racism, Rape, and Xenophobia

unboxedjack's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Suicide, Transphobia, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent