The Call of the Weird: Travels in American Subcultures

I love to be an observer of Louis Theroux's observations of the human condition. He writes with a style that has me thinking of a British Hunter S. I find his combination of straight forward gonzo style living the dream journalism and at times introspective humility to the many reflections that life presents very appealing. He is a competent writer who has a free flowing approach to his work and an ability to make even the most ordinary moments interesting and reflective.

It's very hard to review this book. In terms of it being a brilliant companion to Louis' 'Weird Weekends' show - it was fantastic. It is written in the style of how he normally comes across - honest and unbelievably fair considering the circumstances he finds himself in.The let down points weren't in the writing of the book but the content (more to do with personal preference than the stories and interviews included). I was very interested in some story lines compared to others but I persisted in reading it as it was still entertaining nevertheless. I was also hoping some other characters that he came across in the TV show would turn up but alas due to difficulties in Louis being able to gain contact with them, this is obviously why.However, as long as you have watched the series and developed an interest in whether these people have changed since appearing in the show, I would definitely recommend it.

Louis gives accounts of lives usually hidden from the mainstream. He allows you to gain an insight into worlds you potentially wouldn't want to explore yourself. A chance to peer into the thoughts of those with different ways of existing, from the safety of your sofa.

Without his expressions and the controlled questioning of the tv programmes, Louis Theroux's book lacks the sparkle that makes his tv so much fun. I found the book was rather more about those sad, failing loners searching to make something of them selves and those who could have done with mental health services. It is also a bit overwhelmed by the white right and religious.

I was a huge fan of Louis Theroux's TV shows and when this book appeared at a knock-down price on the Kindle I snapped it up. Each of the chapters sees Theroux revisit some of the subjects of his shows in order to catch up with them and see what has happened since they last met. Because of this it's more likely to be of interest to those who saw the original episodes rather than complete newcomers, and additionally there isn't an overall theme - unlike, for example, Jon Ronson's books - so it does feel a little scrappy. Having said that, it's an enjoyable read, if a bit of a mixed bag with some of the encounters being more interesting than others - just like the TV show, really.

My title to this review would have been a more apt title for Louis's book. Moreso I think it would have aided sales as I really didn't know what the book was going to be about, and almost jumped with joy when I learned it was him revisiting some of his favourite subjects from the series. I absolutley love his Weird Weekends docs and this book really made me feel as though I'd been with Louis throughout. I was with him during the series, now I've been with him when he went back to revisit some of his subjects. Clichéd to say, I know, but Louis really does write like he talks and you can't help but hear his tones as you read. My only wish now, is that he will return to our screens with some more weird investigations, as opposed to the serious journalism he's taken to doing of late.

I love Louis .... almost to the point that I want to create a group dedicated solely or his wisdom and have a few weird weekends of my own....but I doubt he would like that. So I read this book with what I believe was an equal amount of curiosity as the writer wrote...I wanted to know what had happened to all those people. He has a knack, Louis, of highlighting the essential truth about all these larger than life people - they are not monsters they are human they have the same drives and loves that we all do.....they love their children too. It's difficult to reconcile this with the blatant racism or ridiculous ideas...but this book tries. It is a good read.

This is book is truly brilliant well written and structured. Portraying some of the people featured in the TV series Weird Weekends and where they are now. As a fan of Louis Theroux I loved the book. I enjoyed seeing how these people had developed and changed and also how they acted without the cameras. The book had a chapter about the musician Ike Turner which was a follow up to an unaired episode of Weird Weekends which I found fascinating as I never know it existed until I red the book.Louis Theroux is one of my favorite documentary makers this is a must read for a fan of his shows.

Stripped of the need to mug shamelessly for the camera, Call of the Weird presents the more reflective, serious side of Louis Theroux. There is still plenty of insightful wit and observations, presented in his trademark deadpan delivery, but the written word also allows Louis to dig deeper than his TV series sometimes allowed and explore and ruminate on the nature of the strange people he is re-visiting in a sort of nutty nostalgia tour. By turns funny and sad, tragic and disturbing, Louis probes beneath the surface of his weird, motely mob to try and understand them better, how they tick and at times guiltily question whether his gentle mockery of them for the purposes of entertainment is at times exploiting vulnerable, even troubled souls. Theroux is a fine and natural writer, with a keen eye for detail and an economical, whimsical way of expressing himself. It would be fascinating to see him attempt a fiction work in the future but perhaps he is lairy of drawing comparisons with the quizzical novels of his famous father. In many ways Louis Theroux has long moved on from the weird weekends he spent traversing the off-beat byways of American sub-cultures, from UFOlogists to doomsday cults, but this excellent book provides the chance to relive some of those experiences again and gain a greater understanding of the sometimes overlooked, forgotten fringes of our society.

Manche Journalisten können filmen... manche Journalisten können schreiben... die wenigsten können beides... Louis Theroux ist eine angenehme Ausnahme.Theroux macht sich auf den Weg in die Staaten, um Leute wieder zu treffen, die er bereits einige Jahre zuvor interviewt hat; Menschen in den "Randregionen" der Gesellschaft. Er besucht Prostituierte, Pornodarsteller, Rechtsextremisten, Rapper, ... und Ike Turner - der passt zugegebener Weise nicht ganz in dieses Buch. Theroux möchte erleben, wie sich die Menschen über die Jahre hinweg verändert haben oder eben auch nicht.Und er lässt - wie wir es aus seinen Filmen kennen - wieder die Menschen zu Wort kommen. Sie sind der zentrale Punkt seiner Reportagen. Theroux vermeidet seine Ansichten den Gesprächspartnern aufzudrängen. Er lässt sie reden, er lässt sie darstellen, wie normal sie ihre Ansichten und ihren Job finden, er überlässt es ihnen selbst, sich zu rechtfertigen. Seine Gesprächspartner sind der Mittelpunkt seiner Reportagen. Nur an wenigen Stellen überkommt es Theroux und er schreitet ein, wenn z. B. ein Rechtsextremist seinen politischen Dünnsinn unerträglich und substanzlos in die Atmosphäre bläst.Zunächst ist es garnicht so einfach, seine alten Gesprächspartner wieder zu finden und so kommt es zu vielen Gesprächen mit anderen Personen aus diesen sozialen Randregionen, die sehr aufschlussreich sind. Hat er seine ehemaligen Interviewten dann getroffen, zeigt sich recht schnell, dass sie mit ihrem damaligen Leben nicht abgeschlossen haben. Zwar hat der ehemaligen Pornodarsteller eine Freundin, aber er könnte sich vorstellen weiter zu drehen und zeigt Theroux genüsslich seine gedrehten Filme, während die Freundin in der Küche steht. Zwar ist der Rechtsextremist aus seinem Milleu rausgemobbt worden, aber hey, sollte das was an seiner Gesinnung ändern? Die Reportage zeigt, wie festgefahren die Menschen in ihrem Leben sind und das trifft mit Sicherheit nicht nur die interviewten Menschen, sondern uns alle. Sie zeigt aber auch, dass Menschen anfangen ihr Leben in Frage zu stellen und dennoch nicht in der Lage sind etwas zu ändern: "Ich hasse dieses Leben, aber ich liebe es, es zu leben." (so sagt etwas frei übersetzt einer der Rapper) und trifft damit einen Kern des Buches.Insgesamt ein gelungenes Buch, was sich zu lesen lohnt.

I've enjoyed Louis' thoughtful documentaries over the years and I enjoyed this book of updates on the subjects of his films. He treats his (most fairly oddball) subjects with genuine respect and interest while staying impartial enough to provide a relatively unbiased overview of their lives and circumstances. I don't think you have to have seen his documentaries before reading this. If you have or haven't, I would definitely recommend this as an enjoyable, well-written book.

Typical Louis Theroux humorous book!Bought it, because I have seen some documentaries he hosted and I wanted to know what happend to the persons seen in those documentaries.It's just awesome.My mothers tongue is german, but It's easy to read and to understand.5 Stars!

Lous Theroux hat sich einen Namen gemacht über außergewöhnliche Menschen und ihre Eigenheiten zu berichten. Seine Reportagen über amerikanische Neonazis, Ufo Gläubige und Fernsehprediger in der Serie Weird Weekends zeigten uns ein anderes Amerika abseits des Mainstreams. Einige Jahre später hat Louis seine damaligen Gastgeber wieder besucht und in diesem Buch schreibt er ausführlich über dieses Erlebnis. Louis hat seinen eigentümlichen Witz und seine fast liebenswerte Darstellung des Skurrilen auch in diesem Buch erhalten können. Seine humane aber zynische Art ermöglicht so manches Schmunzeln und jede einzelne seiner Geschichten hat ihren eigenen Stil. Jedoch hat seine Art zu recherchieren einen kleinen Nachteil: Zweimal fallen nur die wenigsten Menschen darauf hinein. So hat Theroux in seinem Buch fast konstant ein Problem, dass ehemalige Darsteller gegenüber ihm misstrauisch sind oder gar nicht mit ihm reden möchten. In einer Episode beschreibt er seitenlang seinen Misserfolg in einem Bordell Recherche zu betreiben und seine persönliche Frustration darüber. Dies alles liest sich wunderbar entspannt und hat seinen eigenen Witz. Leider erreicht es aber nicht annäherend die Qualität seiner bisherigen Reportagen. Zumal die Personen, welche er wieder kontaktieren konnte, ihr Leben oft radikal geändert haben. Der ehemalige Pornostar wurde zum braven Familienmenschen, ein Außeridischen Jäger verkauft nun Selbsthilfe Literatur und ein ehemaliger Regierungsgegner, der lieber mit der Waffe in der Hand sterben wollte als einzuknicken, ist zum netten Steuerzahler von nebenan geworden. Im Wesentlichen berichtet der Autor daher über außergewöhnliche Menschen, die diese Eigenheit verloren haben. Insgesamt war daher das Thema an sich vielleicht ein Fehler, der Autor holt aber das Maximum aus seinen Schilderungen heraus. Es ist ein witziges Buch für einen Nachmittag, aber leider weit entfernt vom sonstigen Werk des Autors.

had to read for college but very good choice from our professor: actual stories about who we consider weird and how they consider us the same. open mindness mandatory. humour included.

great read

Louis Theroux is apparently a big deal in England, where he’s known as “the king of off-beat documentaries.” THE CALL OF THE WEIRD is Theroux’s (son of author Paul) revisiting of some of his more interesting profiles. One does not need to have seen the original episodes (though they are on a certain streaming service) to enjoy the essays – Theroux provides a generous amount of back story. Profiles include UFO theorists, Nevada brothel workers, white supremacists, porn actor JJ Michaels and even Ike Turner. An Englishmen looking at the extremes of the American population is not new, and Theroux is more curious than condemning, which makes for a fun, informative read.

As a die-hard Louis Theroux fan, I have seen all of his documentaries. However, it was really interesting to read this book and get some behind-the-scenes looks at his time with his interview subjects, and more details in the interactions they had off camera. Very insightful and a fun read.

I purchased this book because I really enjoy Theroux's documentaries. I don't suggest purchasing this book unless you've watched the documentaries. Each chapter features a different documentary character, with only a little bit of context. The book basically describes what these people are doing several years after having been filmed. In some cases, I wish Theroux had delved deeper into their lives. I guess that's why he's a film maker and not a psychologist.

If you have enjoyed any of Louis Theroux's "Weird Weekends" or other documentaries, this book will bring you back to the world of the unique and, well, weird, people he has visited in his shows. Theroux revisits nazis, gangster rappers, legal prostitutes, UFOlogists, and other fringe groups in the same humanizing but honest way he did on television. Somehow he has the ability to interview people whose core beliefs he disagrees with by stating his own point of view without offending them (usually) and delving into the person behind the beliefs.If you're unfamiliar with Theroux's film work, I'd recommend checking it out before reading this book. I'm sure the book can still be enjoyed without the background context, but it will be better understood if you have already met the subjects and, most importantly, Theroux.

Even if you only have a passing interest in the Louis Theroux documentaries you will enjoy this book where Mr. Theroux follows up on some of his subjects from the "Weird Weekends" series on BBC 2. Essentially this book is about Louis trying to reconcile his feelings of just being "Documenter to his former subjects "Documentee" (Yes, I made up those words) and the fact whether he is, or even should be, friends with these people. I really identified with Mr. Theroux's need to be liked by his subjects and it's insightful as to how he works through these feelings with a Nazi, a prostitute, and others. A must read for die hard Theroux fans. And yes, I think Hayley wanted to date Louis...

I really enjoyed his documentaries, and I had gone on a Louis Theroux documentary binge over the last few months and watched the majority of them before buying this book, I love his approach of trying to humanise people with some beliefs or ideas that can be considered inhuman.The book is his journey to see what has happened to people in his documentaries a few years on, it seems to explore if the people have kept up with their beliefs, and if he can can get to know the more personal side of his interviewees off camera.There is a brief repetition of some of his documentaries in this book to give people who haven't seen the documentary context.Although you cannot see the entertaining facial expressions, tone and body language he uses in his documentaries, his writing has a beautiful flow and keeps you entertained throughout. A must read for any Louis Theroux fans.

As of today, April 1, 2007, this book is ranked over 100,000 at Amazon. Where are the readers? This is, so far, the best book I've read all year. Today is April 1, but I'm not joking.I read this book in one day, on a trip from Boston to Fairbanks, Alaska. This gave me the opportunity to literally take the book in as a whole. According to Theroux in the prologue, he covers four main sources of journalistic weirdness: sexual, racial, religious, and narcissistic. He interviews the types of poeple that most would consider "weird." But for Theroux, the host of a popular British TV show, his motivation is different than the typical Jerry Springer variety. The interviewees and their entourage take a back stage to the way Theroux interacts with everyone and everything. Sometimes we detect empathy. Somethines we detect mild scorn. Always, Theroux humanizes his subjects while he exposes them. The methods are always subtle.Theroux's writing style is clean, crisp, using the right adjective or adverb when necessary. His quotes really bring his interviewees to life: Theroux is not afraid to keep local dialects or cultural or socio-economic related slang. The prose is polished.This is an excellent work of journalism, matching the quality of Gay Talese, Michael Lewis, or Malcolm Gladwell. It's too bad that this book isn't noticed more in the U.S. This book is as much a work of journalism as it is a work of psychology or sociology. There is work in them thar pages -- despite the crude subject matter, this is no fly-by-night piece of hack writing. Theroux asks the correct questions. He mixes a sophisticated sense or ironic humor with brief interludes of philosophic discourse, always reporting the facts without letting his personal opinions get in the way. (He does give his opinions, but they do not bias the text.) He commands a sophisticated vocabulary, maintaining a mature, elegant prose. His self-effacing writing style is fair to the reader.The most important conclusion of this book is taken from Theroux's Epilogue: "'Have you ever argued with a member of the Flat Earth Society?' a self-help guru named Ross Jeffries once asked me. 'It's completely futile, because fundamentally they don't care if something is true or false. To them, the measure of truth is how important it makes them feel. If telling the truth makes them feel important, then it's true. If telling the truth makes them feel ashamed and small, then it's false.' My experience on my trip has borne this out. On the list of qualities necessary to humans trying to make out way through life, truth scores fairly low...in the end, feeling alive is more important than telling the truth....We are instruments for feeling, faith, energy, emotion, significance, belief, but not really truth."This last pragraph, my fellow readers, sums up Theroux's great book."

I love you Louis with all my heart, but you should probably keep to documentaries.My general first impression is that if you've seen the "Weird Weekends" or other "When Louis Met..." specials, then there will be not an incredible amount new in this book. What it talks about is most of his previous encounters with the UFO buffs, survivalists, porn stars, Nazi's, etc. Each chapter is a different person, but, half the chapter is simply a recounting of what was in the BBC episode. The other half is basically a revisit that Louis apparently makes off-camera to his old subjects... more as "friends" but this isn't very insightful and mostly uninteresting. I say that lightly, because I think that half of the subjects he chose to include or re-visit were some of the less interesting ones. Maybe the others didn't want anything to do with Louis once they saw how silly they looked?If you haven't seen his BBC specials, then the perception might be different... it'll be harder to really understand the characters and reasons for change that may have occurred with each person. Still, I think there are enough references to his documentaries that completely fresh minds may feel that something is lost. I do think that Louis is one of the best journalists of today, and I think that he should be bold and write a book about something that hasn't been seen on the BBC. He seems to be playing it safe in this book, afraid to tackle a subject that he hasn't already approached on camera. I think he has a compelling and profound understanding of his subjects and he could be a lot bolder with exploring something new in book form.Hard for me to give this simply three stars, his documentaries are extraordinary, but this book is miles away from what he is obviously capable of as seen on video.