Overall Take:
This book is a delightful mess
Star Rating:
4 Stars
Genre:
Gothic paranormal
Synopsis
Maria Bamford is a comedian’s comedian (an outsider among outsiders) and has forever fought to find a place to belong. From struggling with an eating disorder as a child of the 1980s, to navigating a career in the arts (and medical debt and psychiatric institutionalization), she has tried just about every method possible to not only be a part of the world, but to want to be a part of it.
In Bamford’s signature voice, Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult, brings us on a quest to participate in something. With sincerity and transparency, she recounts every anonymous fellowship she has joined (including but not limited Debtors Anonymous, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, and Overeaters Anonymous), every hypomanic episode (from worrying about selling out under capitalism to enforcing union rules on her Netflix TV show set to protect her health), and every easy 1-to-3-step recipe for fudge in between.
Singular and inimitable, Bamford’s memoir explores what it means to keep going, and to be a member of society (or any group she’s invited to) despite not being very good at it. In turn, she hopes to transform isolating experiences into comedy that will make you feel less alone (without turning into a cult following).
Thoughts:
This book was like you take all the random thoughts you’ve ever had, and write them down, and then you publish them. It was a lot to say the least. I did find the book hilarious, one this Maria Bamford is, is quirky and funny. Before reading this book, I didn’t think that I’d even heard of Maria Bamford, and only picked this one up at the not so gently urging of my friend. He assumed (and yes rightfully so) that I would enjoy it (you can gloat now).
One of her quotes really resonated with me, as a person with mental health disorders. It was “I’m not suicidal, but I’m also not particularly psyched.” If that doesn’t just sum up my life, I don’t know what does. You couldn’t really say it any differently. No, I don’t want to die, but I’m not really excited about what’s going on, and I will probably be complaining the whole time, as many of my friends can attest too. The book was filled with quotes like this, that really struck me as genuine and true, but again, I have mental health issues, so it’s going to hit close to home.
I was a little annoyed that this book alluded that this would be about a cult. I love a good cult story. But Alas, this terminology was more about the fact that Ms. Bamford struggles to say no to anything. I’m not super annoyed, as the title was very clever and did entice me to read the book.
I almost listened to this one on audio, however, I ended up getting it on kindle sooner. I am happy with this choice as the book included several pictures and other reader cues that I think I would have had a different experience with on audio. I do think I probably would of audibly laughed out loud more on audio though, so take your pick.
This book is a mess, but it’s a beautiful, hilarious mess and I did enjoy it. I give this 4.5 star’s rounded to 5.
Publication Date:
September 5, 2023
Author:
Alexis Henderson
Page Length:
464
Gallrey Books
Link to buy
Affiliate link
