Author: Miranda Hart
Format: Paperback
Links: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Goodreads
Blurb: Well hello to you dear book browser. So, here’s the thing: it is just me or does anyone else find that adulthood offers no refuge from the unexpected horrors, peculiar lack of physical coordination and sometimes unexplained nudity that accompanies childhood and adolescence? I am proud to say I have a wealth of awkward experiences and here I offer my 18-year-old self (and you too dear reader) some much needed caution and guidance. Let’s call it, because it’s fun, a Miran-ual. I thank you.
Review: I am a mahoosive Miranda Hart fan. I could watch her over and over again and still be in tears of laughter. I didn’t really have any idea what approach this book had but upon realising it was a sort of ‘Miranda guide to adulthood’ I was so excited to get stuck straight in. The book is split into 18 sections and covers topics from beauty to hobbies, dating and Christmas and as well as lots of anecdotes from Miranda’s life, is written partly in a conversation between her and her 18 year-old naïve self.
I loved how this book was written and formatted; there wasn’t too much chunky text, the sections were short and the conversations between her and her 18 year-old self were fantastic. I often wonder what I’d say to my 18 year-old self if I could speak to her so I really enjoyed this aspect of the book. If I did ever meet her, I’d probably tell her to work harder in sixth form and stop spending all her money on wine.
Don’t expect anything serious from this book; no big chapters with tons of wise advice that sounds like it’s from some yoga practising, broccoli eating life guru. It’s very, very easy, free and light-hearted. It’s funny, oh so very funny and it made me laugh out loud within the first few pages. But although the main theme of this book is comedy, there are still some fantastic, ‘Miranda-esque’ words of advice scattered throughout.
“I think it’s sad when people stop dreaming, or start losing hope. Because holding onto the bonkers dream might just turn out to be the most marvellous thing you ever did.”
I have absolutely no idea if this book was ghost written but if I had to venture a guess, there’s no way I could imagine it was because every single sentence just oozes Miranda-ness. She has a very distinct “voice”, humour and manner of speaking and the entire book is just so ‘her’ that you can almost imagine her sitting in front of you, reading it to you rather than you reading it yourself.
It’s every bit as funny and light hearted as what I would expect from Miranda Hart but above all else I think she has this incredible ability – whether by book, stand-up or the TV series – to make you feel like you’re not alone, even if you’re the only person in the room. Miranda really is the friend you never had and ‘Is It Just Me?’ makes you realise that really, we’re all a bit wacky and that it’s never, ever ‘just you’. Miranda Hart, I salute you.
Rating: 5 of the biggest, scrummiest cupcakes for Miranda
