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The Call of the Weird
- Travels in American Subcultures
- Narrated by: Louis Theroux
- Length: 3 hrs and 48 mins
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The Call of the Weird
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Summary
Read by the author, this is Louis Theroux's hilarious and thought-provoking journey through weird America.
For 10 years, Louis Theroux has been making programmes about off-beat characters on the fringes of US society. Now he revisits America and the people who have most fascinated him to try to discover what motivates them, why they believe the things they believe, and to find out what has happened to them since he last saw them. Along the way, Louis thinks about what drives him to spend so much time among weird people and considers whether he's learned anything about himself in the course of ten years working with them. Has he manipulated the people he's interviewed, or have they manipulated him?
From his Las Vegas base, Louis revisits the assorted dreamers and outlaws who have been his TV feeding ground. Attempting to understand a little about himself and the workings of his own mind, Louis considers questions such as: what is the difference between pathology and "normal" weirdness? Is there something particularly weird about Americans? What does it mean to be weird, or "to be yourself"? And do we choose our beliefs or do our beliefs choose us?
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What listeners say about The Call of the Weird
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Susan Random
- 24-10-17
The Call Of The Weird
This book only loses a star rating because it's abridged, but I think that it's a fantastic listen and complements Theroux's earlier documentaries. I particularly enjoyed the odder elements of the text.
Theroux really performs the book throughout and his different American accents are a pleasure to listen to.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rob L
- 02-07-16
Very enjoyable listening
Very enjoyable listening to some fascinating insights. The chapters are perhaps a little long so you will need to make some time for it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Aude_Brownies
- 25-09-19
Nice follow up on Louis documentaries
Nice to catch up with some old subjects of Louis Theroux and hearing his reflections on them. And who is the best to read it than the man himself:)
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Peter Meredith
- 21-08-19
I love it but could have done with a bit more!
I really enjoyed this book and Louis is absolutely brilliant at performing it but it was just a bit short for me in order for me to give it the full 5*s
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Cathy and Fiona Glanville
- 26-11-15
Honestly Two Faced
In an artful way xx an extension of the series, really enjoyed the strangely human people
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 21-01-20
I love louis
A really entertaining book that follows many of the interesting characters seen in Louis's weird weekend series... (some of my favourite TV ever!)
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- JST
- 31-03-19
Top form from Theroux
Louis Theroux goes back to finish what he started and catches up with the weird and wonderful characters subject to his late nineties/ earlys 00s "Weird Weekends" documentary. Theroux looks to tie-up loose ends, ask the questions that were left unanswered and provide a "where are they now?" analysis of alien hunters, pornographic actors, survivalists who were anticipating the end of the world in 1998 (who are subsequently still alive and well) and Tina Turner's abusive ex-husband Ike.
Fans of Theroux's work will welcome the nostalgia of these personalities, and an element of closure is offered. However, Theroux does his bet to pry but there is always more to be learnt. This is not a criticism of the author - especially given the complexity of the webs he is seeking to untangle! The trademark delivery of the documentaries is retained.
Not that long of a read so good for those in a hurry!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- ohayitsdani
- 10-01-22
Enjoyable
It was enjoyable, and interesting to learn more about some of his documentaries. Although a lot of it you do know if you watch his docs, I still enjoyed listening and would recommend :)
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Moostu
- 05-01-16
Great to catch up with his old subjects
Very interesting to see where Louis' previous subjects are now. I was sad when the book ended, I could listed to him forever.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- matthew hine
- 02-08-16
weird voices
fascinating catch up with the characters from weird weekends slightly let down by louis' acting
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