Survival of the Thickest

Essays

By: Michelle Buteau

Narrated by: Michelle Buteau

*Now a Netflix series—Season 2 coming soon!*

Stand-up comedian and star of Netflix’s Michelle Buteau: A Buteau-ful Mind at Radio City Music Hall and creator and star of Survival of the Thickest delivers a collection of “hilarious…bracingly honest” (Real Simple) essays in her unique voice, cheeky swagger, and unapologetic frankness that’s “one of the year’s most relatable books” (Bustle).

If you’ve watched television or movies in the past couple of years, you’ve seen Michelle Buteau. With scene-stealing roles in Always Be My Maybe, First Wives Club, Someone Great, Russian Doll, and Tales of the City; a reality TV show and breakthrough stand-up specials, including her headlining show Welcome to Buteaupia on Netflix; and two podcasts (Late Night Whenever and Adulting), Michelle’s star is on the rise. You’d be forgiven for thinking the road to success—or adulthood or financial stability or self-acceptance or marriage or motherhood—has been easy, but you’d be wrong.

Now, in Survival of the Thickest, Michelle reflects on growing up Caribbean, Catholic, and thick in New Jersey, going to college in Miami (where everyone smells like pineapple), her many friendship and dating disasters, working as a newsroom editor during 9/11, getting started in stand-up opening for male strippers, marrying into her husband’s Dutch family, IVF and surrogacy, motherhood, chosen family, and what it feels like to have a full heart, tight jeans, and stardom finally in her grasp.

Critic reviews

"Fans of comic, commentator, and actor Michelle Buteau will laugh out loud throughout these frank essays. Buteau brings her characteristic candor, humor, and flawless comedic timing to some difficult topics, for example, infertility and people commenting on her light complexion. Those unfamiliar with Buteau's humor will find the audiobook to be a wonderful way to learn about this multitalented woman whose star is on the rise. The production is a stellar example of an entertainer turned writer using her talents as a narrator."

Michelle is very, very funny!!

I actually listened to this audiobook in a very methodical manner to savor it.
Liked it so much going to see her live performance in New York!o

Genius, as always.

Michelle Buteau is the best comedian out there, and it was great to hear her story in her own voice, expressing the happy and not so happy moments that have made her the awesome and talented human she is! Love you Michelle; you are amazing and gorgeous, honey!!

Michelle my Bell.

Michelle is one of the funniest women on the planet. IMO. I love how she makes me laugh everytime. She is an amazing woman and her story is one we all needed to hear.

Wow!!!

This book is amazing! I laughed, I cried, and I cheered for her along the way! Loved it!!

Never knew I could absolutely adore someone I’ve never met

Her book is amazing like she is - read it and suck it all up ! Thank you Michelle!!