Monday, July 17, 2023

Book Review: Sure, I'll Join Your Cult


Maria Bamford is a comedian’s comedian (an outsider among outsiders) and has forever fought to find a place to belong. From struggling with an eating disorder as a child of the 1980s, to navigating a career in the arts (and medical debt and psychiatric institutionalization), she has tried just about every method possible to not only be a part of the world, but to want to be a part of it.

In Bamford’s signature voice, Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult brings us on a quest to participate in something. With sincerity and transparency, she recounts every anonymous fellowship she has joined (including but not limited to: Debtors Anonymous, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, and Overeaters Anonymous), every hypomanic episode (from worrying about selling out under capitalism to enforcing union rules on her Netflix TV show set to protect her health), and every easy 1-to-3-step recipe for fudge in between.

This autobiography will be released on September 5, 2023. Gallery Books provided an early galley for review.

I have heard it said that many comedians view themselves and/or the world as "broken" or "damagaged". They use comedy as a coping mechanism, a form of therapy. Laughter is the best medicine.

I have seen Maria's stand-up on cable. Her voices are fantastic, and her comedy utilizes them and facial expressions to the full extent. Her rhythms are different from most comedians as well. Having familiarity with all of this is beneficial when reading her book as her written delivery is similar to her stand-up delivery. I found I enjoyed her writing more when I could read it "in her voice". If she narrates the audiobook version, I think that will be an even better experience.

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