The return of the legend that is Robin Ince!

‘Joyfully entertaining. Full of warmth, wisdom and affectionate delight in the wonder and absurdity of being human.’ Observer

‘Funny, honest and heart-warming.’ Matt Haig

What better way to understand ourselves than through the eyes of comedians – those who professionally examine our quirks on stage daily? In this touching and witty book, award-winning presenter and comic Robin Ince uses the life of the stand-up as a way of exploring some of the biggest questions we all face. Where does anxiety come from? How do we overcome imposter syndrome? What is the key to creativity? How can we deal with grief?

Insightful, witty, and often just plain weird, this book charts his journey to discover why he’s made the choices he did in life, and what makes us who we are. Why did Robin become a comedian? Why did you become an accountant (sorry)? Why are we like we are? Informed by interviews with a bevy of comedians such as Jo Brand, Ricky Gervais and Tim Minchin, as well as with neuroscientists, psychologists and doctors, Robin looks back on his life and turns his comedic observational skills on himself – exploring the key psychological questions we all ask ourselves. How does our childhood shape our life choices? Do we all have a need to perform? Are we more than our brains? Is failing good for us? Did our parents f*&k us up?

Informed by personal insights from Robin as well as interviews with some of the world’s top comedians, neuroscientists and psychologists, this is a hilarious and often moving primer to the mind. But it is also a powerful call to embrace the full breadth of our inner experience – no matter how strange we worry it may be!