The Call of the Weird cover art

The Call of the Weird

Travels in American Subcultures

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The Call of the Weird

By: Louis Theroux
Narrated by: Louis Theroux
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About this listen

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?

©2005 Louis Theroux (P)2005 Macmillan Publishers Ltd Entertainment & Performing Arts Film & TV North America United States Funny Witty

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Critic reviews

"Alternately fascinating and sad." ( Kirkus Reviews)
All stars
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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.

The Call Of The Weird

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Very enjoyable listening to some fascinating insights. The chapters are perhaps a little long so you will need to make some time for it.

Very enjoyable listening

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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:)

Nice follow up on Louis documentaries

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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

I love it but could have done with a bit more!

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In an artful way xx an extension of the series, really enjoyed the strangely human people

Honestly Two Faced

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A really entertaining book that follows many of the interesting characters seen in Louis's weird weekend series... (some of my favourite TV ever!)

I love louis

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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!

Top form from Theroux

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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 :)

Enjoyable

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Very interesting to see where Louis' previous subjects are now. I was sad when the book ended, I could listed to him forever.

Great to catch up with his old subjects

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fascinating catch up with the characters from weird weekends slightly let down by louis' acting

weird voices

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