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
Comedy & Humour Film & TV United States Funny Witty

Critic Reviews

"Alternately fascinating and sad." ( Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about The Call of the Weird

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I Love Louis, in a weird way.

i enjoyed having Louis in my liv8ng room as he shared his stories with me. he has a great voice for story telling.

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Loui voice acting is Amazing!!

this book is amazing start to finish.
Louis voice acting and immitaion was a highlight .
wish it was longer

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Louis is a legend

loved louis doing the voices. funny, thought provoking, chilling at times - truth is stranger than fiction!

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2 people found this helpful

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Must Read

If you’re a Louis fan, you’re going to love this book..

Performed perfectly and oh so detailed

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Brilliant

What did you like most about The Call of the Weird?

The variety of people that Louis can get to open up about their lives and beliefs. The way he questions while remaining respectful

What other book might you compare The Call of the Weird to, and why?

Them by Jon Ronson. Both attempt to show peoples unusual behaviours and beliefs through their own eyes

What does Louis Theroux bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

His own voice

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The young white supremacist singers

Any additional comments?

No

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Enjoyed

it was great to hear some more personal thoughts from Louis in this auido book. I just wish it was longer!

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Fascinating

Great listening to Louis follow up for each of the subcultures in his documentary series.

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Amazing

I have been a big dan of Mr Theroux for years. This book is another of his works to add. His thoughtful and curious outlook is an absolute delight.

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great book

another great listen from Louis Theroux.
thoroughly enjoyable . I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys his documentaries

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Interesting Book but prefer to watch a documentary

Wasn't as engaged as I expected to be throughout as I really enjoy Louis' documentaries but found this book a bit boring and without any real point. Not much had changed and everything was pretty much still the same.

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1 person found this helpful

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