The Call of the Weird

Travels in American Subcultures

By: Louis Theroux

Narrated by: Louis Theroux

Length: 3 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's 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?

©2005 Louis Theroux (P)2005 Macmillan Publishers Ltd

Critic reviews

"Alternately fascinating and sad." ( Kirkus Reviews)

Interesting, but one annoying flaw...

I really enjoyed this audio book, and found it mostly interesting and amusing. However, Theroux's insistence on attempting American accents is a huge mistake. The various accents are laughably bad at times; unbearable otherwise. All in all, worth a listen, but only if you're able to withstand Idaho Neo Nazis sounding like southern drag queens.

An absolutely fascinating listen

I'm a big fan of Louis' work and have watched the majority of his documentaries.

This was probably the reason I found myself so captivated by this title; Louis revisits a select number of memorable characters in a sort of "Where are they now?" type of quest.

He gives a succinct review of each character before describing the re-visitation, so you're not completely lost if you haven't watched his shows (though you really should).

Louis also provides very interesting insights in regard to the individuals and cultures he encounters and the occasional character imitations he performs are super adorable, too.

Definitely recommended.

Really good!

Yeah, really brilliant book. ties in well with his shows and wonderful to have it read by the man himself. Was a good listen.

Who's Weirder?

I got this after a recommendation from the TWIT podcast. In short it was an interesting look at some very fringe segments of society. At times it was entertaining and just plain odd. However, the book failed to give me any special insight into the minds of the people that Mr. Theroux interviewed. Perhaps it is a statement of the people in the book, or the emotional shields that people on the fringe exude. But above all, I felt as if I was at the local country fair, just trying to find the oddest person ... and not being able to make up my mind which one was indeed, the weirdest.

Revisit of former documentary subjects

It was interesting to get the news on some former documentary subjects as well a hear Louis' impersonations of American accents as well as commentary.

theroux never fails

so interesting, what wierdos we live with in the world.. theroux is great in reading the book as well, finished it a bit quicker than expected

Short but good

I'm disappointed this book was a bit short. However, Louis is an excellent author and reader. He expertly gives each character a unique voice. The stories are facinating, but for adults only. I highly recommend.

Like his BBC shows? This is a must-listen!

What made the experience of listening to The Call of the Weird the most enjoyable?

Louis brutal honesty: The fact a camera forced him and I am sure still does be entertaining. The concern and love he shows those he has met,.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Call of the Weird?

When he said "We are all weird" so true and comforting

Which character – as performed by Louis Theroux – was your favorite?

Hmmm. Harold camping or Haley.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! It is fantastic!

Any additional comments?

Like travel books? Want to know how right-wingers can appear? Need a good book for a few saved up bucks? This is the perfect one to buy with cash, not credits because it is priced fairly according to length. As an anthropologist this book reminded me about the field without being academic. Louis is a great reader. Well worth your hard earned bucks.