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How Not to Be a Boy
- Narrated by: Robert Webb
- Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins
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Publisher's Summary
Rules for Being a Man:
- Don't cry
- Love sport
- Play rough
- Drink beer
- Don't talk about feelings
But Robert Webb has been wondering for some time now: are those rules actually any use? To anyone?
Looking back over his life, from schoolboy crushes (on girls and boys) to discovering the power of making people laugh (in the Cambridge Footlights with David Mitchell), and from losing his beloved mother to becoming a husband and father, Robert Webb considers the absurd expectations boys and men have thrust upon them at every stage of life. Hilarious and heartbreaking, How Not to Be a Boy explores the relationships that made Robert who he is as a man, the lessons we learn as sons and daughters, and the understanding that sometimes you aren't the Luke Skywalker of your life - you're actually Darth Vader.
Critic Reviews
"Takes us deftly from hilarity to heart-stopping hurt.... A truly great read." (Dawn French)
"A witty and honest coming-of-age story." (Ian Rankin)
"If you have ever loved, liked or known a man, please read this book." (Katy Brand)
"A brilliant, brave book." (Matt Lucas)
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What listeners say about How Not to Be a Boy
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Maddy
- 29-11-2017
5/5
Listened in one swoop, tbh I had never heard of this "bloke" and now I have a new personal hero (?)
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3 people found this helpful
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- Lula Dembele
- 15-12-2018
A book for right now!
An important account of one man's journey & attempt to break out of manbox. An insight & positive reminder that boys/men have rich emotional lives that can be stifled in many ways, which does no-one any good.
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- Lionell Pack
- 09-07-2018
Life-changing
Wonderful. Sad, funny, insightful, packed with wonderful advice and genuine insight. I don't usually listen to this sort of book, but I'm tremendously grateful I listened to this particular one. I will absolutely listen to it several more times.
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- Carl
- 04-06-2018
Brilliant work - fantastic narrator
Really easy read - great mix of humour, sadness and analysis of the ducked up world we find ourselves in as men. Highly recommended
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- Shadow
- 06-02-2018
He's complicated
Get ready, one-minute tears of laughter, the next just tears. Crafted not written, an extraordinary journey that isn't over yet.
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- Anonymous User
- 01-07-2018
Really great read
Chronologically confusing start to the book, but settles down after the first chapter so persevere! Excellent performance and interesting and funny content.
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- suzy leigh
- 19-02-2019
Moving and funny
this was laugh out loud funny, but I didn’t expect it to be so moving. It gave me goose bumps, tears and a lot to think about. One of the best books I’ve ever consumed.
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- Anonymous User
- 09-04-2019
Wonderfully candid and generous
Robert Webb is completely open and candid, allowing his audience to bare witness to his strengths and many more weaknesses. His autobiographical storytelling is very approachable and generous in reliving his earlier years up to the present. In sharing his ups and downs he reflects beautifully on his experiences with gender bias, homophobia and demistifying male stereotypes. His humour certainly helps to keep the listener engaged too. Loved it thoroughly. Will listen again!
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- Samantha
- 15-04-2019
Fucking Brilliant.
I loved the openness and complete honesty. The hilarious third person conversations by Rob.
Everything about this book is brilliant.
Let your sons and daughters read this book.
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- Damian Perry
- 01-06-2018
Unexpectedly deep
I love Mitchell and Webb. I've enjoyed seeing Rob on social media talking about feminism. I really didn't expect this book to be as engaging as I found it. He speaks honestly (brutally honestly) about his early life and the things that made him what he is today. It was sometimes hard to listen to, watching the train of his life powering towards the brick wall of his stupid decisions.
But he speaks with good humour and a solid understanding of his failures and how they shaped him. I think this should be standard reading for a lot of men. A great read.
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