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How to Fail
- Everything I’ve Ever Learned From Things Going Wrong
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Day
- Length: 10 hrs and 2 mins
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Summary
Inspired by her hugely popular podcast, How To Fail is Elizabeth Day’s brilliantly funny, painfully honest and insightful celebration of things going wrong.
This is a book for anyone who has ever failed. Which means it’s a book for everyone.
If I have learned one thing from this shockingly beautiful venture called life, it is this: failure has taught me lessons I would never otherwise have understood. I have evolved more as a result of things going wrong than when everything seemed to be going right. Out of crisis has come clarity, and sometimes even catharsis.
Part memoir, part manifesto, and including chapters on dating, work, sport, babies, families, anger and friendship, it is based on the simple premise that understanding why we fail ultimately makes us stronger. It's a book about learning from our mistakes and about not being afraid.
Uplifting, inspiring and rich in stories from Elizabeth’s own life, How to Fail reveals that failure is not what defines us; rather it is how we respond to it that shapes us as individuals.
Because learning how to fail is actually learning how to succeed better. And everyone needs a bit of that.
This audiobook includes an extra chapter, exclusively available in the audiobook, called ‘Everything I’ve Learned About Failure’.
Critic reviews
"A book full of wisdom, humour, humility, tenderness and heart. Elizabeth Day’s beautiful, reassuring stories and observations are a guide to self-compassion, a celebration of all things imperfect and will galvanise you to try, try again." (Dolly Alderton, author of Everything I Know About Love)
"How To Fail has rapidly become my essential companion in this over-competitive, demanding world. By turns profound, witty, and extremely reassuring, Elizabeth Day's sublime deconstruction of the myth of 'success' – and the journey to find our own markers of contentment – is a life-changing gift to us all." (Jessie Burton, author of The Muse)
"Brilliant Elizabeth Day, who you could probably trust to talk eloquently about anything." (Evening Standard)
What listeners say about How to Fail
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- Frances
- 30-05-19
Really relatable and very interesting
I was recommended this book by a friend, I have failed at many milestone achievements in my life so far and yet I feel very fortunate to have failed and learnt and been given a push in the right direction to make changes and follow my instincts more
Thank you for being so honest and opening up your life and spreading your wonderful message. I have learnt to be more aware of me ! 🙏
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1 person found this helpful
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- Nlr
- 22-12-19
Best book I’ve read/listened to in a long time
I cannot possibly hope to do this book justice with my review...it made me laugh and cry and most of all it made me feel like I was more normal and less alone than I did before. What a wonderful idea for a book, and so brilliantly executed by the author. Highly recommended - this is a book I will listen to again and again :)
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- Amy
- 24-10-19
well worth a listen
I particularly liked how there were segments from her podcast dispersed throughout as I hadn't actually listened to it before but either way it's a really great take on our experiences and how to view life from a different perspective.
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- Tania L
- 25-03-20
Affirming
Such a refreshing and affirming book which speaks to anyone who’s ever felt themselves a failure. So everyone. Elizabeth Day is very easy to listen to and incredibly relatable. Highly recommended.
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- Natalie Davies
- 12-05-20
I wish I had listened to this earlier!
I found Elizabeth Day’s podcast so thought I’d give her book a go. I was not disappointed. An honest, open account of a life full of failures and how they should be viewed. For someone in their early 30s I found this book deeply connecting, and I only wished I had listened to it sooner. She has such a soothing voice to listen too as well meaning the audio version was pleasing. Would 100% recommend and have already shared with my friends.
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- Amazon Customer
- 03-08-22
Excellent
This is a brilliant book and one I highly recommend. Very inspiring and uplifting
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- William
- 04-02-23
Open and honest
Elizabeth Day is not only an extraordinary writer, but also honesty and openness throughout the book is heartwarming and inspiring. Thank you Elizabeth for being you William ,
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- Amazon Customer
- 16-12-22
Fantastically inspirational and a delight to listen to
Just when I thought I couldn’t love Elizabeth Day any more, I listen to this audio book. She is a dream to listen to and the content is a fantastic extension of her already brilliant podcast. A must listen.
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- SK
- 17-04-19
To treasure and share
This was a brilliant read/listen. Not only because there was such beautiful honesty, pathos and humour but because I felt like I’d had a night out with a loving but honest friend who wants the best for me. Respect Elizabeth Day!
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10 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 10-06-19
I want to be friends with Elizabeth Day!
A great book. And it’s okay to say miscarriage hurts. It’s private and painful. I cried and laughed. Talented beautiful writer. Thank you.
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5 people found this helpful