Is It Just Me?

Publisher's Summary

Well hello to you dear audiobook browser. Now I have your attention it would be rude if I didn't tell you a little about my literary feast. So, here is the thing: Is it 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 accompanied childhood and adolescence? Does everybody struggle with the hazards that accompany, say, sitting elegantly on a bar stool; using chopsticks; pretending to understand the bank crisis; pedicures - surely it's plain wrong for a stranger to fondle your feet? Or is it just me?

I am proud to say I have a wealth of awkward experiences - from school days to life as an office temp - and here I offer my 18-year-old self (and I hope you, too, dear listener) some much needed caution and guidance on how to navigate life's rocky path. Because frankly where is the manual? The much needed manual to life. Well, fret not, for this is my attempt at one and let's call it, because it's fun, a Miran-ual. I thank you.

©2012 KingMaker Productions Ltd (P)2012 Hodder & Stoughton

Critic Reviews

“That personality and voice belong to a uniquely cherished comedian” ( Daily Mail)

“This is pure, unadulterated, totally genius, Miranda. A cult (would religion be too weighty a word?) must surely follow, where can we get the T-shirt?” ( Red Online)

“I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of Miranda Hart's new book - we should all embrace our inner Miranda gene and learn to laugh at ourselves.” ( Daily Express )

“In her brilliantly funny book, TV's Miranda muses on some of the most challenging, baffling and 'hideola' aspects of life... all the anecdotes are told in her unique style, with regular interjections from her 18-year-old self. Such fun!” ( Star)

“Is Miranda Hart a National Treasure yet? If not, it can only be a year or two before she joins Stephen Fry and Alan Bennett in the trophy cabinet of the country's affections... That personality and voice belong to a uniquely cherished comedian, and the answer to that question in her title is actually, yes - it is just her. Because there's nobody like Miranda.” ( Daily Mail)

“Funny and charming and full of terrific comic ideas... Unlike most comedians, she can actually write... Every Christmas there is, at the very most, one celeb book that is genuinely worth buying and reading. Here is this year's. Accept no substitutes.” ( The Spectator )

“Miranda Hart will carry you along with the sheer force of her charm, bumbling cheer and charisma.” ( Sunday Express)

Cackle Worthy

What made the experience of listening to Is It Just Me? the most enjoyable?

I sat with my 10 year old daughter over 4 or 5 nights and together we enjoyed the rollicking tales Miranda Hart spun for us . Both of us are mad fans of Miranda's show and were thoroughly excited to learn more about this comic goddess. We here pleased to hear catchphrases from her show, insights into life and silly banter between her present self and her younger self.

What did you like best about this story?

What I liked best was Ms Harts' ability to make herself the joke simply to make us happy. It is so refreshing in this day and age when humour and comedy is all about pulling others down and laughing at their expense that Miranda is willing to make herself the butt of the joke (often literally!). I am sure my daughter most enjoyed the tales of catastrophe and of course the 'poo' stories.

What about Miranda Hart’s performance did you like?

It was well delivered with equal measures of gusto and grace. Miranda knows how to perform and there was often (but not always) a clear delineation between her present self and her younger self. Actually I found that my daughter and I would talk to each other with Miranda's plum in the mouth middle class British accent which was hilarious in itself as we are ocker Aussies from the Oz bush!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

We would have loved to knock this book off in one sitting, however 7 hours was a little too adventurous for us.

Any additional comments?

Although there were some moments where our interest waned, I would highly recommend anyone listen to 'Is It Just Me' rather than read it. Miranda is a right scream and we had a nice time - it was almost like watching a whole series of Miranda. Such fun!

13 of 13 people found this review helpful

Miranda is just delightful...

Miranda played on Australian TV a couple of years ago. Miranda Hart simply demands attention... her quirkyness, her authentic playfulness, her relish in being herself. All of this is found in "Is it just me?"

A romp. And genuine fun. Highly recommended.

8 of 8 people found this review helpful

Miranda Hart is truly one of a kind!

What made the experience of listening to Is It Just Me? the most enjoyable?

So being from the U.S. I am not able to actually purchase Miranda's book at a bookstore, but thanks to audible I heard the story straight from the amazing and hilarious mind of Miranda Hart! I highly recommend anyone to buy this book, her stories of how she converses with her 18 year old self and her memories are more memorable than her just as amazing show! Love you Miranda!!! :D

What did you like best about this story?

Everything!

Have you listened to any of Miranda Hart’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have seen her show, and she is brilliantly funny in the show, and in her book she continues to bring the funny to the ears of her readers.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

SUCH FUN!

Any additional comments?

Everyone should read the book, but I say listen to it! It's even better!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Love Love Love

What made the experience of listening to Is It Just Me? the most enjoyable?

I could listen to her talk all day long.

Any additional comments?

Pure enjoyment through and through, I look forward to her next book.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

An Absolute Delight

Would you listen to Is It Just Me? again? Why?

After finishing listening to Miranda Hart's "Is It Just Me?", I thought to myself: "I'm going to listen to this again in a year or so." It's quite a funny book and had me laughing out loud quite often, but I want to listen again for another reason. Underneath the laughs the book has something wonderful to say about happiness. I think nearly all women sometimes feel that they don't fit the ideal that society, or perhaps they themselves, have set up. I think nearly all women feel some anguish about their inability to measure up from time to time. Beneath all of the laughing and silly stories and absurditiy, Ms. Hart has done a marvelous job of encouraging women to accept themselves, love themselves, enjoy life, and be happy. I was entertained, certainly. But I also came away from the book feeling a bit moved. And happy. And my own version of beautiful. So thank you, Ms. Hart!

11 of 13 people found this review helpful

MORE MIRANDA!

Would you listen to Is It Just Me? again? Why?

Yes I will listen to this delightful book again, it simple wonderful. Laugh out loud funny and heartwarming familiar, Miranda takes us through a journey of the keys of life. Great! Made even better by Miranda herself reading it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Very much wished to listen to this book in one sitting and never wanting it to end!

Any additional comments?

Thoroughly enjoyable- highly recommended!

Now we just need MORE MIRANDA!!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

A round of applause for Miranda Hart!!!

If you could sum up Is It Just Me? in three words, what would they be?

It's about life and the various difficulties that are bound to come up and how humour helps us if not overcome them, at least endure them.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Is It Just Me??

When she wonders about those moments in life which are like milestones, and which have no explanation. Life, eh?

Which scene was your favorite?

Peggie and Miranda's dialogue, or any scene with her eighteen-year-old self.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it was. However, I decided not to do so since I wanted to enjoy every single sentence, and Miranda's wonderful reading.

Any additional comments?

Not to be missed.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

No, not just her but ME too : )

Would you consider the audio edition of Is It Just Me? to be better than the print version?

Hearing the "disaster on legs" reading the book makes this a fab listen - her voice and her singing lends the humour and also the simpicity to the book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

16 year old Miranda is so full of dreams that its hilarious!

Any additional comments?

If you are a female or have a clumsy/awkward/different Daughter I recommend this book - just dont read it in public - people will stare when you start to hold your sides while crying with laughter!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Love, love, love this lady

If you could sum up Is It Just Me? in three words, what would they be?

Hart's heartfelt humour

What was one of the most memorable moments of Is It Just Me??

So many - the Dirty Dancing anecdote struck home

Have you listened to any of Miranda Hart’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Not especially - I wanted it to last!

Any additional comments?

This book rings especially true for me as Ms Hart and I are of similar age. Very funny and eminently relateable-to!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

too much talking in her 18 year old voice

I like Miranda and her story, but not her constant discussion with her 18 year old self using 2 voices. There was just too much of it and I only lasted a couple of hours before it all wore a bit thin.

7 of 10 people found this review helpful

fantastic!

I'm a big fan of Miranda so maybe this review is a bit biased. But nevermind, I really loved this book, it was such fun!



And Miranda narrating it was superb, she is SO GOOD. It seemed as if she was really enjoying reading her book.



I loved this book, every minute of it.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Funny but not hilarious

If you could sum up Is It Just Me? in three words, what would they be?

I love Miranda!

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

It was disappointing when compared to the brilliant TV series. Her younger self was extremely irritating and ruined the whole listening experience for me.

What about Miranda Hart’s performance did you like?

Miranda was an excellent narrator and made the listening experience more authentic. It would not have felt right if someone different had narrated it.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, but only because of her younger self.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

SUCH FUN!!!

if you enjoy the series its just like it.

I listened when whilst out with the dogs I must of looked a right wally giggleing whilst walking down the street!!

11 of 12 people found this review helpful

The best for a very serious mind

I have always been a serious, almost humor-less person. I am aware of it and I have to admit that fairy tales and comic reads amuse me more than anything. They shift my thoughts from one of melancholy and cynical into one of life and sheer vibrancy. Miranda is hilarious and I like the existence of the young Miranda in her work because it gave me the chance to reflect and laugh, as against feeling humiliated, at my follies of years ago.

16 of 18 people found this review helpful

Fun if a little too 'Miranda' for me, at times!

Would you try another book written by Miranda Hart or narrated by Miranda Hart?

Possibly but it did verge on too much silliness for me

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Miranda's nuances were great but sometimes I felt a little irritated by those nuances too!

If this book were a film would you go see it?

Probably not

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Mirandaland heaven!

This is Miranda at her very best, with all her awkwardness, continuously finding herself in hilarious situations. Narrated in her soft, apologetic tone, she relays her life story in a way that makes you want to laugh out loud and cringe with embarrassment on her behalf. Had all these mishaps happened to anyone else, they would perhaps seem far fetched and unbelievable but not in this case. 18 year old Miranda is a lovely addition and her outbursts of disgust and horror at the way her 38 year old self has turned out is priceless.

Having listened to this book twice over, I dip into it constantly when I feel the need for a Miranda fix. Gentle, laugh out loud, slapstick brilliance.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Well narrated and the story was generally alright

Is there anything you would change about this book?

As someone who has not seen the TV program it was not what I was expecting.

It is more a story about someone moaning about being slightly different rather than a story.

It is well narrated and great tone throughout. It was more a bit of a giggle rather than a real belly laugh. This may be more because I have not seen Miranda before.

What will your next listen be?

How to Fall in Love - Cecelia Shern

What about Miranda Hart’s performance did you like?

Great enthusiasm with the narration

If this book were a film would you go see it?

No

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Wonderfully Entertaining

This was my first foray into audio books and I purchased it to listen to after an operation. It was fab - easy to dip in and out of and great for light entertainment when I was feeling rough. Miranda has a wonderful way of describing the world in a way we can all relate to and I would thoroughly recommend this to anyone who enjoys her show.

23 of 28 people found this review helpful

Such fun

Lovely to listen too Miranda Hart read her own book! Great to listen to didn't want it to end. Very funny too.

9 of 11 people found this review helpful

Brill

well what can I say. I think you need to listen to this book rather than read it to get the full Miranda effect. loved it.

13 of 17 people found this review helpful