- Middle age and mortality are recurring themes. How does Sedaris use humour to explore these heavier topics?
- The essays often center around Sedaris’s family. Which family dynamics felt most relatable or surprising to you?
- In “Now We Are Five,” Sedaris reflects on the loss of his sister Tiffany. How does this essay shape the emotional tone of the collection?
- Sedaris frequently discusses his partner Hugh. What role does Hugh play in grounding or challenging Sedaris’s worldview?
- How does the beach house, the “Sea Section,” function as a symbol throughout the book?
- Sedaris is known for his observational wit. Were there moments where his humour felt too sharp or perfectly timed?
- How does Sedaris balance vulnerability with sarcasm? Did you find one more effective than the other?
- What did you make of Sedaris’s reflections on aging and his changing relationship with his body?
- Were there any essays that stood out as particularly poignant or laugh-out-loud funny?
- How does Calypso compare to Sedaris’s earlier works, if you’ve read them?