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Strong Female Character

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Strong Female Character

By: Fern Brady
Narrated by: Fern Brady
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About this listen

BRITISH BOOK OF THE YEAR: AUDIOBOOK WINNER 2024

Fern Brady was told she couldn't be autistic because she's had loads of boyfriends and is good at eye contact. This is a story of how being female can get in the way of being autistic and how being autistic gets in the way of being the 'right kind' of woman.

©2023 Fern Brady (P)2023 Octopus Publishing Group Gender Studies Mental Health Neurodiversity Performing Arts Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Social Sciences Funny Inspiring Thought-Provoking Witty Heartfelt Health Comedy

Critic Reviews

Of course it's funny - it's Fern Brady - but this book is also deeply moving and eye-opening (ADAM KAY)
It made me laugh out loud and broke my heart and made me weep...I hope absolutely everyone reads this, and it makes them kinder and more curious about the way we all live (DAISY BUCHANAN)
Glorious. Frank but nuanced, a memoir that doesn't sacrifice voice or self-awareness. And it has brilliant things to say about being autistic and being funny (ELLE MCNICOLL)
Fern is a brilliant, beautiful writer with a unique voice and even more unique story. Astute, honest and very, very funny. (LOU SANDERS)
So funny and brilliant (HOLLY SMALE)
An absolute riot. I'm literally going to read it again once I've finished, and I'm a miserable bastard...it's a belter (FRANKIE BOYLE)
All stars
Most relevant  
This book is a wonderful read about someone who was born into a world that was completely oblivious to the fact that it wasn’t built for her at all. It’s a triumph to see she has survived and moved forward, despite everything that has happened to her and the way the world has treated her. I cried in parts. I felt joy during parts. A story that is being written by someone is living, despite it all, which honestly, is one of the best parts

Funny, sad and hopeful

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I’ve liked Fern Brady since I saw her on a panel show and she made some flippant line about taking some guy home “for a pump” and everything I’ve seen her on and heard from her since has been great. This book wasn’t what I expected tbh, I knew she was autistic but I wasn’t expecting such a vivid depiction of it throughout. Not sure what I was expecting really, but either way it was absolutely brilliant and I’m glad to have learnt so much

Superb

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What a great book. Beautiful written and I learnt so much. Very highly recommend this to everyone.

Brilliant book!

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This book had me laughing out loud and then plummeting back to reality with the raw and to the point accounts of how confusing life can be for an autistic person living in a neurotypical world. We need to hear and share this stuff. Loved the book.

Funny but not funny in a very honest way

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Brilliantly written, funny and uncompromising. As an adult woman who is on her way to her own autism diagnosis there were a number of stories Fern told which hit very close to home. While for me some of it was very hard to listen to it was absolutely worth it and everyone should give it a listen. Thanks Fern.

Brilliant and heart rending in places.

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First book in ages I got through in first sitting I didn’t want to stop !!
Loved it 👍🏻

So honestly funny.

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I wish I could thank Fern personally for writing this book. I was diagnosed autistic a couple of years ago, and until now I’ve never felt so understood. Although I’ve never been a stripper or had someone try to murder me, I know exactly how she feels and I related so much that I had to listen to this book in intervals a few minutes long. It felt like gut punch after relatable gut punch, in the best way. Funny and full of heart but an honest account of how devastatingly difficult it can be to be a late diagnosed autistic woman. I wish I could make everyone in my life read it and say “this is how to understand my brain”.
A must-read for anyone and everyone.

This book is me

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Great listen, love Fern’s humour, realness and honesty about her life and struggles to learn how to live in a neurotypical world. Recommend everyone to listen, especially adults recently diagnosed, self-aware and self diagnosed, people who live, work or are friends with a person living with a person with autism. Thank you xx

Engaging, real and humour, life through the lens of neurodivergent person.

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Her writing is fresh and l absolutely loved her no holding back with language, and not the Foreign type...
thank you Fren,
you are me 20 years younger.

Total honesty on the spectrum

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I enjoy fern's stand up, loved this book as well. very raw and honest.

brilliant

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