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My Family cover art

My Family

By: David Baddiel
Narrated by: David Baddiel
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Summary

'Genuinely one of the funniest books I have ever read. I wept with laughter' HADLEY FREEMAN

Baddiel has made true art out of experience … A masterpiece’ SATHNAM SANGHERA

'Laugh out loud funny … The read of the summer' NICOLA JEAL, THE SUNDAY TIMES

A searingly honest, funny and moving family memoir in which David Baddiel exposes his mother’s idiosyncratic sex life, and his father’s dementia, to the same affectionate scrutiny

On the surface, David Baddiel’s childhood was fairly standard: a lower-middle-class Jewish family living in an ordinary house in Dollis Hill, north-west London. But David came to realise that his mother was in fact not ordinary at all. Having escaped extermination by fleeing Nazi Germany as a child, she was desperate to make her life count, which took the form of a passionate, decades-long affair with a golfing memorabilia salesman. David’s detailing of the affair – including a hilarious focus on how his mother turned their household over to golf memorabilia, and an eye-popping cache of her erotic writings – leads to the inescapable conclusion that Sarah Baddiel was a cross between Jack Niklaus and Erica Jong.

Meanwhile, as Baddiel investigates his family’s past, his father’s memories are fading; dementia is making him moodier and more disinhibited, with an even greater penchant for obscenity. As with his mother’s affair, there is both comedy and poignancy to be found: laughter is a constant presence, capable of transforming the darkest of experiences into something redemptive.

My Family: The Memoir is David Baddiel’s candid examination of his childhood, family and memory offering a twisted love letter to his parents.

'Such a blisteringly honest book it would set fire to the word "candid" for being too pathetic' CAITLIN MORAN

©2024 David Baddiel (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about My Family

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Poignant, highly reflective and very funny

A very witty and seemingly honest account of his unconventional and fascinating parents, told with affection. Whilst his relationships with his parents and their own idiosyncrasies are described through the lens of what must have been years of therapy, David Baddiel’s story seems authentic and heartfelt. An interesting and entertaining read.

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Honest, hertbreaking and hilarious

Compelling listening as David recounts the life of his unconventional parents. Brutally honest. Highly recommend.

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Not aggravation.

What a brilliant bit of story telling this is. DB brings his family to life in a way that at times charms, shocks and moves the reader. A beautifully authentic memoir.

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A funny and honest account of family life

David Baddiel writes at times with painful honesty about his parents and what life was like growing up with them. Towards the end of the book, as he reflects on what he discovered after they both died, you can start to fully appreciate the impact they have had on him. Although he often refers to how unconventional his parents were, I think most of us can relate to how difficult it can be at times to have relationships with those closest to us. This is a brilliantly funny and honest account of family life and I highly recommend it. These are the best stories, and what life is all about…the memories we have of our families.

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Incredible

I was devastated to miss the live show My Family: Not The Sitcom, so was really looking forward to this release. I was not disappointed, In short it’s a sensational, honest and hilarious piece of work!

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Where is the PDF Audible?

Having seen the stage show this was a great listen with interesting extra detail. I remember the photos from the show but anyone who hasn't will be annoyed at no PDF included.

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Amazingly, Frank

Funny, heartwarming, sad every emotion, but never demeaning. I loved it. Will definitely read it again.

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David’s in a bin bag

I really loved this book! I just need to go to the book shop now and look at all the photos he mentioned.

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Will have you laughing and crying simultaneously

The story is great, taking the listener through a humorous yet humbling story of being the child of parents.
There’s nothing unique about the premise - parents are a constant source of embarrassment. But the way the story is told you really get to “know” David Baddiel’s parents (as much as you can from a story.
While you laugh at his mother’s “misuse” of speech marks you cry the moment his father shows a glimpse of his real self. With the conversation between David Baddiel and his father near the end about having a match, I was properly belly laughing, while flooding tears into my car - I had to pull over because I couldn’t drive until I composed myself - something I didn’t know was possible, I’ve laughed so hard I cried, but never cried and laughed to such a degree.

The story ends with a question, “I hope you have enjoyed the story” the answer to that is a whole hearted YES

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Fabulous!

I loved this book and although some of it made me feel a bit sad, it also made me laugh out loud. Most of all it is interesting and I devoured the whole thing over two days. Whether you have heard of David Baddiel or not I highly recommend reading it.

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