I’ve been lucky enough to see David Sedaris in concert numerous times and each time was better than the one before as he read from his diary or published works. He never disappoints with his wit, beautiful writing, and observational stories.
This most recent book is far and away his best and my favorite. I’ve read all of his books and many of his magazine articles, been awed by them all, yet this one, Calypso, is different in a special and poignant way. Several years ago his sister Tiffany committed suicide. He writes about her life, the impact on the family, and how important being a sibling is with such beauty that I was brought to tears several times.
I am the youngest of four children and I love and adore my brothers, the amazing women they married, and my sister more than I can say. I am not as articulate as Mr. Sedaris but he summed it up beautifully throughout the book when he talked about the deep connection of being around the people who understand you as no one else will.
The stories take place mostly at the beach house he bought several years ago off the coast of North Carolina. Their home, nicknamed Sea Section, is where the family comes together for Thanksgiving and summer visits where they eat, play board games, bake in the sun, and talk.
It is an exploration of their lives together and apart, the relationships they have with one another, and with their 94-year-old father. As usual, Mr. Sedaris has a way of reaching deep and writing about the things we all feel but cannot always put into words as beautifully as he does.
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