I'm a Joke and So Are You: Reflections on Humour and Humanity

(Hardback, Main)

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Description

As a connoisseur of comedy, Robin Ince has spent decades mining our eccentricities to create gags - and watching other strange individuals do the same. And for years on The Infinite Monkey Cage he has sought - sometimes in vain - to understand the world around us. In this book, he unites these pursuits to examine the human condition through the prism of humour.

Why do we make the choices we do in life Where does anxiety come from Where does imagination come from Why are we like we are Do our parents f*&k us up Informed by personal insights from his own life as well as interviews with a bevy of A-list comedians, neuroscientists, psychologists and doctors - this is a hilarious and often moving primer to the mind.

Reviews

Joyfully entertaining... full of warmth, wisdom and affectionate delight in the wonder and absurdity of being human. * The Observer *
Accessible [and] intriguing... a smart, laugh-out-loud book. * Evening Standard *
Funny, honest and heart-warming. * Matt Haig author of Reasons to Stay Alive *
Clever, witty and wise. It's very revealing about the psychology of comedians - and the rest of us. * Claudia Hammond presenter of BBC Radio 4s All in the Mind *
Clever, funny, kind and interesting - just like Robin. * Sara Pascoe, comedian and author of Animal *
Deceptively deep. Invaluable and inspiring. * Stewart Lee, comedian and author of How I Escaped My Certain Fate *
Charming, funny, throbbingly intelligent... A memorable, joyful, gorgeous read -- Deborah Frances-White * Observer *
Moving, funny and interesting! Robin leads us on a fascinating journey through our often quirky minds. * Jo Brand, comedian *
Profound, compassionate, eye-wateringly funny and immensely human. Robin investigates the big questions of the human condition with the razor-sharp insights and sensibilities of one of our very best stand-up comedians. * Alan Moore, writer of V for Vendetta *
One of the UK's most accomplished, versatile comedians. * Guardian *
Moving and insightful... This wide-ranging and well-researched book hides its deceptive depth in an easy to read, witty and conversational style. * Irish Times *
Fascinating... One of the best books ever written about what it means to be a comedian... it's certainly a must-read for anyone interested in the workings of comedy and comedians, but probably for anyone interested in the workings of human beings in general. * Chortle *
Insightful, informed, touching and funny in equal measure. * Richard Wiseman, Professor of Psychology *
Parts of the book are hilarious, parts of it heartbreaking... Easy to devour, and a real pleasure to read. * Chemistry World *
For a comedy book, Robin Ince's I'm a Joke and So Are You doesn't ask the usual question - 'What is wrong with comedians' - but instead shows the quirks and weird thoughts we all fear are unique to ourselves are not as strange as we think. It's a book about the human mind and one that leaves you feeling a lot less alone in yours. * The Skinny, Book of the Year 2018 *
In addition to being royally entertained I was also educated... * The Psychologist *

Author Bio

Robin Ince is co-presenter of the award-winning BBC Radio 4 show, The Infinite Monkey Cage. He has won the Time Out Outstanding Achievement in Comedy, was nominated for a British Comedy Award for Best Live show, and has one three Chortle Awards. He has toured his stand up across the world from Oslo to LA to Sydney, both solo and with his radio double act partner, Professor Brian Cox. He is the radio critic for the Big Issue and writes a monthly column about science for Focus Magazine. He appears regularly on both television and radio. He has two top-ten iTunes podcast series to his name.