256 reviews for:

No Shame

Tom Allen

4.08 AVERAGE

bookishpip's profile picture

bookishpip's review

4.0

I really enjoyed this - even more so, I think, because I listened to the audiobook. The way this was read, by the author himself, was hilarious and captivating from start to finish.

This isn’t a long book, but it certainly packs a punch. It’s full of hilarious anecdotes (and I’ve never seen him do stand up, so it was all new to me!), and doesn’t take itself seriously at all, but is brutally honest - sometimes to the point of being a bit heartbreaking. His struggles to reconcile himself with his identity and sexuality, truthfully told and completely authentic feeling, is something I think most in the LGBTQIA+ community can completely relate to. It’s sad to think that he was, underneath it all, so sad and so full of self-loathing. The empathy was strong when reading this.

I think what I loved most about this, though, was how honest it felt. There wasn’t any feeling of painting himself as a hero (on the contrary, he is often the butt of his own jokes), and there were some real glimpses of his vulnerability (albeit often concealed behind comedic writing - something that Allen himself admitted is a defence mechanism).

I think this is a fantastic book, that certainly teaches people the importance of not feeling ashamed of who they are.
georginap92's profile picture

georginap92's review

3.0

I love Tom Allen, and this book was a great insight into his life, I really loved his stories and diving into all he has been through. I really liked the inclusion of his letter to his younger self, this was a great touch!
booksonthe747's profile picture

booksonthe747's review

5.0
emotional funny reflective slow-paced

books_and_teapots's review

4.0
funny medium-paced
jemsmart's profile picture

jemsmart's review

4.0
informative inspiring medium-paced
thiefofcamorr's profile picture

thiefofcamorr's review

5.0

Exactly like his standup and very brilliant all the way through.
shakeyjakey1706's profile picture

shakeyjakey1706's review

4.0

“I managed to be proud of my insecurities, knowing that everything was as it should be, that all my flaws were part of that moment and part of me.”
tjess's profile picture

tjess's review

4.25
emotional funny hopeful relaxing medium-paced

sian_mcbride's review

3.75
funny hopeful fast-paced

yasminnnali's review

3.0

I love Tom Allen and his stand up and this book read by him was just as entertaining.

Was a lot more than I bargained for but, hey it's a fun ride.