God Said,'Ha!'

By: Julia Sweeney

Narrated by: Julia Sweeney

Length: 1 hr and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

In one year Julia Sweeney got a divorce (amicable), bought a small bungalow in Hollywood, and looked forward to a life that said, "Here dwells a happily single young woman!" But then the axe fell. Her younger brother, Mike, was diagnosed with terminal cancer and moved in with her. Her parents came to be with Mike and moved in with her, too. Julia was now on seriously intimate terms with the people she had spent half a lifetime growing up away from.

Just weeks before Mike died, Julia was diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer (what Mike called her "sympathy cancer"), and within days of burying her brother she underwent a radical hysterectomy, beginning her own journey through "the International House of Cancer".

Drawing from these Job-like travails, Julia wrote this remarkably funny and touching monologue about a family that managed to persevere with humor, grace, and love.

There's lots more Julia Sweeney available at Audible®! Just click here to download In the Family Way, her appearances on This American Life, her Un-Cabaret performances, and other great programs.

© and (P) Julia Sweeney

Critic reviews

"A grand achievement...a lesson in love and tolerance." ( USA Today)
"Sweeney offers living proof that laughter is the only revenge." ( The San Francisco Chronicle)

A terribly funny, brutally honest punch in the gut

It's hard to describe the events in Julia's book without wanting to close the shades and crawl under the covers into the fetal position. Julia finds humor and grace in even the most dire situation. She puts all her frustration and grief forward in such a way that makes you want to simultaneously laugh and cry. All the foibles of her family members pale compared to their strength in dealing with the illness and death of her beloved brother Mike. Her own stress reaction is her itching desire to get out of the house away from her relatives, smoke, and buy the Pope's new book. Even this little task goes awry in the most hilarious of ways. Her own health becomes an issue when she is diagnosed with a rare form of cervical cancer- so rare that even getting her slides away from the research lab is a chore. An enjoyable chore, when she meets the scientist working on her form of cancer. This is a great audiobook for anyone dealing with a difficult situation, but this is also full of enough heartwarming laughs for anyone at all.

Feeling good about being down...

This is a bit more sober than Letting Go of God, but still keeps an up lift through it all. I see the lesson in keeping one's humor in the dull light of hell on earth. Life is tough enough, keep up the wit and sly grins, Julia. We all should.

Good

I like learning many views on this subject.

Very Therapeutic

Today, I went to a wake. Feeling melancholy, I saw the ones my wife had bought from Audible. Seeing this one, I thought it was very appropriate. Julia is a great narrator of her own story. She is witty and sweet. You should get this one.

Short but fun

Quick, witty, a great distraction for a long walk.

Still laughing!

I love Julia's books, she makes me laugh so much! Her openness about her family and their relationships is priceless. I think I have to say I love the stories that involve her mother... hysterical! Worth a read (listen is best so you hear Julia) and a reread!

Resonated Big Time

This book confirms that true stories are the most poignant and the funniest.

My pre-teen daughter, teen son and I listened to Julia's story five or six times during a cross-country road trip, cracking us up through 7 states. Several passages have entered our family's lexicon.

Thanks Julia for helping us deal with the loss of our husband/father. There is still plenty to laugh about!

Never look at religion the same again.

Julia goes through her life and what led to her decision to laugh at God. My advice is if your not ready to see the wizard behind the curtain then stay away. If you want a look at life differently then this is for you.

Great listen

Hi entertaining and easy to listen to.

too short

I need to know more... I love your family, I grieve your loss. I can't wait to hear more!!!