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brionymarshallauthor's review against another edition
3.0
I’m not entirely sure what I just read. But what I can tell you is it was very James Acaster. Bizarre. Eventful. But definitely not what I expected.
book_busy's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
3.25
I genuinely did like this audiobook and thought James was actually laugh out loud funny in it. However,, I felt that it really just functioned as a 9 hour surreal comedy gig with some thinly veiled obvious touchstones of the shortcomings of the internet. I hoped that James would actually talk about what he did to quit socials given his frequent mentioning of this on the Off Menu podcast but I understand how this may not have been book worthy. This was still one of my favourite comedy audiobooks, just not necessarily one of my favourite books. The reading of it being done by James really elevated the experience - I don't think the humour would have translated as well if I had read it as a physical copy, actually. Love James, don't necessarily think that this is a winner though and I feel bad saying that. I think it's better to say this book was a case of a misleading cover
elsehuggs's review against another edition
5.0
the most chaotic review ever:
OH MY GOD THIS IS THE FUNNIEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ. it feels so much like reading Mr Gum by andy stanton when I was like 7... just couldn't stop laughing and this crazy world the writer had created. I wish I bought the audiobook now because I feel like it would be even funnier if I could hear james delivering it... but god what a stupid and ridiculous book. i read this in 2 days whilst on holiday and hardly did anything else.
I love the world that James is always able to create, it felt a lot like his standup. honestly what an interesting group of characters, I routed for them all!! especially Jason Mckenzie, personally I am a Jason Mckenzie stan. (I'm also aware of the fact this review is very much in line with the whole vibe of social media which is rather ironic). every character was so excitingly unique and stupid, I just felt so involved in the plot.
I also loved the freeform style of it, the constant use of brackets and the stupid ass footnotes, how James was always belittling the reader was just so funny to me and highlighted the wankiness of self help books (it sounds stupid reviewing this book in that way but its CHREW)
another thing that i feel like james acaster always does really well is tell the most stupid stories and then bring them all together to create something really weirdly profound and kind of sad. that's why this book felt a lot like one of his standups (crossed with a sitcom). Like at the end james has this big epiphany and then that final line? literally kill me. I felt very forlorn. I also loved the bit of imagery where everyone kicks him out the castle and then he's standing in his boiler suit in the rain all sad. actually thought that was pretty powerful!!
LOVED IT. loved it all, the only thing i thought was a bit weird was the whole adult baby thing. but apart from that i have no complaints; i loved the castle, the tangfastic crew, the whole discussion about activity halls, the CHILDREN OF THE LILAC SUN??? absolutely crazy. what a good fucking book!!
some of my favourite quotes include:
"EGOJAR stands for Ex Girlfriends of James Acaster"
"Hello, Social Media Addict and welcome to the greatest book you will ever own"
"as my fingers wrapped around its girth, I could feel the heft of the lives contained therein" (bear in mind he's talking about a phone book)
OH MY GOD THIS IS THE FUNNIEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ. it feels so much like reading Mr Gum by andy stanton when I was like 7... just couldn't stop laughing and this crazy world the writer had created. I wish I bought the audiobook now because I feel like it would be even funnier if I could hear james delivering it... but god what a stupid and ridiculous book. i read this in 2 days whilst on holiday and hardly did anything else.
I love the world that James is always able to create, it felt a lot like his standup. honestly what an interesting group of characters, I routed for them all!! especially Jason Mckenzie, personally I am a Jason Mckenzie stan. (I'm also aware of the fact this review is very much in line with the whole vibe of social media which is rather ironic). every character was so excitingly unique and stupid, I just felt so involved in the plot.
I also loved the freeform style of it, the constant use of brackets and the stupid ass footnotes, how James was always belittling the reader was just so funny to me and highlighted the wankiness of self help books (it sounds stupid reviewing this book in that way but its CHREW)
another thing that i feel like james acaster always does really well is tell the most stupid stories and then bring them all together to create something really weirdly profound and kind of sad. that's why this book felt a lot like one of his standups (crossed with a sitcom). Like at the end james has this big epiphany and then that final line? literally kill me. I felt very forlorn. I also loved the bit of imagery where everyone kicks him out the castle and then he's standing in his boiler suit in the rain all sad. actually thought that was pretty powerful!!
LOVED IT. loved it all, the only thing i thought was a bit weird was the whole adult baby thing. but apart from that i have no complaints; i loved the castle, the tangfastic crew, the whole discussion about activity halls, the CHILDREN OF THE LILAC SUN??? absolutely crazy. what a good fucking book!!
some of my favourite quotes include:
"EGOJAR stands for Ex Girlfriends of James Acaster"
"Hello, Social Media Addict and welcome to the greatest book you will ever own"
"as my fingers wrapped around its girth, I could feel the heft of the lives contained therein" (bear in mind he's talking about a phone book)