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seclement's review against another edition
4.0
This book was incredibly vulnerable, and that really surprised me. I have been following the Very British Problems social media for a long while, and as an immigrant to Britain I found it hilarious but also, quite often, thought "British people really struggle to differentiate culture from depression". This book made me realise that Rob Temple is more aware of the line between national temperament and personal psychology than I had ever realised, and that it is no coincidence that the sentiments he captures walk that fine line. It's still a book with characteristic British wit and humour, but it's also a book that makes you feel things. The internet machine kept pushing this book on me and I figured I would regret the purchase when I finally caved because, let's face it, I am not invested in the person behind a meme page. But this was a very different sort of book than I expected, and it surprised me in many good ways. I don't relate to all of it personally but everything he recounts is relatable to either me or someone I know, for better or for worse. Probably not for the person with no cultural context about Britishness, but if you have that, and you find it peculiar or interesting, particularly the ironic sense of humour and the fact that it's always teetering on the line between wit and deep depression, then it's probably worth a read.
lizeindisney's review against another edition
2.0
I almost put this book down a few times through reading it, but I don’t like to DNF anything. So I had to force myself to read it. It’s too secretive to be an autobiography as there’s a lot of unspoken issues that have led to this book. I felt there was something I needed to know beforehand before reading it, and because of that I couldn’t follow it. Based on description alone, I really thought it was something I could relate to and take solace in not being alone, but I think certain triggers in the book should have been mentioned up front as they would have caused me not to buy it and not been so disappointed. I love the Very British Problems books, but this was nothing like that. Did not enjoy.
Hardback
Hardback
fassinated's review against another edition
2.0
Shelved under did-not-finish because hmm, this was just grating to read. It was not very funny, nor relatable — even though I would’ve been the perfect target audience. Sorry, I stopped at around 20% and don’t find it beneficial to continue. It’s one of those things where it could probably be entertaining in small doses, but not as a whole book. Still, the two stars because the writing isn’t bad? Just not for me.
thepeachmartini's review
5.0
I am well aware this book is the easiest reading ever, and it's not everyone's cuppa...but if you follow the SoVeryBritish account on Twitter, you know EXACTLY what you're getting into. (It even says on the cover "a refreshingly unpolished memoir"...)
This book reads like a stream of consciousness at some points, but it's kind of comforting to me because it feels very familiar. My brain works in much the same way as Rob's - for better or worse - minus the battle with alcohol and debilitating depression that left him bed-ridden and borderline agoraphobic. It's silly and light, and just what I needed to get me between books (I started this after Devil in the White City and have picked it up on and off until I finished last night. It literally made me laugh out loud - in fact, I had to stop reading it some nights because I didn't want to wake my husband up with fits of giggles.
Underneath it all, there is a bit of a lesson to be learned - there's a fine line between carpe-dieming your way through life and forcing yourself into very uncomfortable (and sometimes dangerous) situations; it's good to have adventures and do things and enjoy the world around you...but you don't have to make everything a grand affair. Book a local walking tour or class on Groupon (is that still a thing?) instead of forcing yourself to participate in things you dread just for the sake of having something to do.
This book reads like a stream of consciousness at some points, but it's kind of comforting to me because it feels very familiar. My brain works in much the same way as Rob's - for better or worse - minus the battle with alcohol and debilitating depression that left him bed-ridden and borderline agoraphobic. It's silly and light, and just what I needed to get me between books (I started this after Devil in the White City and have picked it up on and off until I finished last night. It literally made me laugh out loud - in fact, I had to stop reading it some nights because I didn't want to wake my husband up with fits of giggles.
Underneath it all, there is a bit of a lesson to be learned - there's a fine line between carpe-dieming your way through life and forcing yourself into very uncomfortable (and sometimes dangerous) situations; it's good to have adventures and do things and enjoy the world around you...but you don't have to make everything a grand affair. Book a local walking tour or class on Groupon (is that still a thing?) instead of forcing yourself to participate in things you dread just for the sake of having something to do.
hillersg7's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a lovely mix of reality of life- with moments that made me laugh out loud at recognition that I do the same overthinking and setting my expectations out of reach. There is a sometimes sad and painfully honest description of the ways that addictions waylay us, and there is the glimmer of hope and recognition of simple joys.