Product Description

Jo Brand is one of Britain's funniest and best-loved comedians. With a sharp eye for the absurd and in her own unique voice she tells her story for the first time.

What possessed her to become a professional comedian in the cut-throat world of stand-up comedy after ten years as a psychiatric nurse? How did she deal with late night drunken audiences? Raised in middle class comfort, she left home in her teens to live with someone entirely inappropriate. Her parents were aghast at her behaviour and attempted to rein in her excesses, finally giving up when she demonstrated that she was not headed for the life of a nun. From her early years growing up in a small south coast town with two brothers who toughened her up, to emerging on stage as 'The Sea Monster', Jo Brand tells it like it is with wit, candour and a wonderful sense that life can be ridiculous but there's always a funny side.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #53 in Books
• Published on: 2009-10-01
• Released on: 2009-10-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 320 pages

Review
'Jo Brand is undoubtedly one of the best female comics in Britain and her rise to fame has been monumental... Jo's story is honest and very funny'--The Sun

'Jo Brand’s Look Back in Hunger is one of the very best. This is mainly down to the fact that Jo has had a genuinely fascinating life (from psychiatric nurse to one of the country’s most loved stand-ups) and her style is engaging, candid and amusing, even when she’s talking about some pretty grim stuff. *****--Heat

'Larger-than-life, coarse but often very funny, the comedienne has produced a biography very much in her own image… provides lots of belly-laughs and, surprisingly, plenty of food for thought'--Telegraph

'As odd things always happen around Jo--ghosts materialise, coat hangers fly out of the wardrobe, pet tortoises attempt suicide--it was a short step for her to decide to train as a psychiatric nurse… her world-weary soothing baritone was to be her fortune; she’s rightful heir to the comic mantle of Beryl Reid, Joan Sims and Hattie Jacques. Though chunky, what’s largest about Jo is her heart, her humanity. I love her.'--Daily Express

'She comes across as robust, wise, amiable and pragmatic. Brand resists self-pity… her humane, sardonic intelligence shines through'--Daily Mail

'A terrific, uplifting read. South London-born Brand’s laconic voice shines through--indeed, you can hear her laid-back delivery in every sentence. The biggest thing about Brand is her heart and her generosity of spirit. She’s engagingly light-hearted and excellent company'--Scotsman

'A romp through Jo’s formative years… Her dry wit shines through.'--Now

About the Author
Jo Brand is a stand-up comic with many TV and radio shows to her name. She is married with two children and lives in South London.

Customer Reviews

Funny, fab and fascinating
I am a big fan of Jo Brand and couldn't wait to read this. Having bought it yesterday I have to say that I wasn't disappointed - it is totally brilliant. I didn't know much about Jo's upbringing and her personal life before I read this, but it's all here and I can't believe what an interesting life she's led. From her teenage rebellion, to her first love who led her astray, to her 10 years as a psychiatric nurse to the abuse she got when she started out as a stand up comic - there is nothing this woman hasn't been through! What I loved in particular is the way that she can talk about all this personal stuff in detail without ever sounding like she's feeling sorry for herself or losing her comic touch - parts of book made me double up with laughter. Anyone who likes Jo Brand should buy this - it's a fantastic insight into a brilliant comic.

very tasty indeed!
There are so many celebrity autobiographies around these days I was wary of buying one, but I really like Jo Brand so I thought I'd take a punt on this. Well, I bought it yesterday and I've already finished it cos I couldn't put it down. This makes such a refreshing change from a lot of the other celeb books out there. Why? Well, for the first thing she wrote it herself - it wasn't ghost written - and that really comes across. The book is warm, funny, sad, shocking and uplifting - like spending a few hours chatting in the pub with someone who's really interesting and funny. I won't spoil it, but there's a bit where she's playing hide-and-seek with some co-workers that made me laugh so loudly I nearly cried. I am so pleased that Jo Brand has written such a good autobiography. I loved it.

Brilliant
I bought this to read for my holiday next week and my only disappointment is that it's so good I've already finished it - but that's okay because I'm going to read it again. And again. Fantastic.