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dusktreader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I loved this, it’s so layered and thoughtful, much deeper than I imagined from the title (although I shouldn’t have been surprised because her performances are the same).
j_m_alexander's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
I suspect just about everyone knows what to expect when they start this memoir situation from Hannah Gadsby - a smart, sharp, funny, and traumatic telling of Hannah Gadsby's life leading up to the comedy show Nanette that went absolutely viral, and just to be clear - that is absolutely what you get with this memoir situation - smart, sharp, funny, and traumatic.
I am often torn when it comes to celebrity type memoirs, because they have to talk specifically about the things people know them for, that's why they got a publishing deal and it's why someone like me decides to read this memoir as opposed to another (oh, I recognize them, I find them to be interesting, I would love to hear more about what makes them tick) but it's often the thing I find least interesting. While still my least favorite bit, Gadsby actually does better in this regard than most - (1) they make it absolutely clear that this book is not about their celebrity, it's about their humanity and ongoing journey; (2) when they do go into the comedy show for which they will likely always be publicly known for, they go into the process, how they did the thing, but also how the material affected them.
While Nanette had to keep a focus due to a show's time constraints and the constraints on live performance and people's ability to handle the tension of that particular show, in this memoir Gadsby is able to sprawl out a bit more, put things in context and mostly use a linear timeline. What we gain in this form is time and space. We follow Gadsby reflecting through the complex emotions of a young queer person being closeted and deeply shamed by the world they live in, and also the confusion that comes along with no diagnosis followed by misdiagnosis of both ADHD and ASD. Gadsby, as should be expected, shares some darks times in their life and the reasons why they were made so much worse because of society and just absolutely shite people, but Gadsby is also generous and thankful for those that were kind, patient, and loving along the way.
The beauty of a memoir for Gadsby is that you know the punches will not be pulled, but neither will those punches ever be pointed downward, and you'll have some laughs along the way; Gadsby continuously slides in surprising humor, often of the darkly honest variety, but she also interjects with pun-laden dad-joke silliness at all the right times.
I am often torn when it comes to celebrity type memoirs, because they have to talk specifically about the things people know them for, that's why they got a publishing deal and it's why someone like me decides to read this memoir as opposed to another (oh, I recognize them, I find them to be interesting, I would love to hear more about what makes them tick) but it's often the thing I find least interesting. While still my least favorite bit, Gadsby actually does better in this regard than most - (1) they make it absolutely clear that this book is not about their celebrity, it's about their humanity and ongoing journey; (2) when they do go into the comedy show for which they will likely always be publicly known for, they go into the process, how they did the thing, but also how the material affected them.
While Nanette had to keep a focus due to a show's time constraints and the constraints on live performance and people's ability to handle the tension of that particular show, in this memoir Gadsby is able to sprawl out a bit more, put things in context and mostly use a linear timeline. What we gain in this form is time and space. We follow Gadsby reflecting through the complex emotions of a young queer person being closeted and deeply shamed by the world they live in, and also the confusion that comes along with no diagnosis followed by misdiagnosis of both ADHD and ASD. Gadsby, as should be expected, shares some darks times in their life and the reasons why they were made so much worse because of society and just absolutely shite people, but Gadsby is also generous and thankful for those that were kind, patient, and loving along the way.
The beauty of a memoir for Gadsby is that you know the punches will not be pulled, but neither will those punches ever be pointed downward, and you'll have some laughs along the way; Gadsby continuously slides in surprising humor, often of the darkly honest variety, but she also interjects with pun-laden dad-joke silliness at all the right times.
kim_j_dare's review against another edition
5.0
I came across the audiobook on Audible, and the description piqued my curiosity. I had no prior knowledge of Hannah Gadsby, but after listening to her narrate her sometimes hilarious, often heart-rending, always powerful memoir, I’m so glad she— and her mom— have a place in my world now. I appreciate the snippets of Nanette that were included in the audiobook, and will be watching the full Netflix special this weekend.
dragonflyy501's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
erinkellyreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0