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My Family
- The Memoir
- Narrated by: David Baddiel
- Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins
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My Family
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Summary
'Genuinely one of the funniest books I have ever read. I wept with laughter' HADLEY FREEMAN
‘Baddiel has made true art out of experience … A masterpiece’ SATHNAM SANGHERA
'Laugh out loud funny … The read of the summer' NICOLA JEAL, THE SUNDAY TIMES
A searingly honest, funny and moving family memoir in which David Baddiel exposes his mother’s idiosyncratic sex life, and his father’s dementia, to the same affectionate scrutiny
On the surface, David Baddiel’s childhood was fairly standard: a lower-middle-class Jewish family living in an ordinary house in Dollis Hill, north-west London. But David came to realise that his mother was in fact not ordinary at all. Having escaped extermination by fleeing Nazi Germany as a child, she was desperate to make her life count, which took the form of a passionate, decades-long affair with a golfing memorabilia salesman. David’s detailing of the affair – including a hilarious focus on how his mother turned their household over to golf memorabilia, and an eye-popping cache of her erotic writings – leads to the inescapable conclusion that Sarah Baddiel was a cross between Jack Niklaus and Erica Jong.
Meanwhile, as Baddiel investigates his family’s past, his father’s memories are fading; dementia is making him moodier and more disinhibited, with an even greater penchant for obscenity. As with his mother’s affair, there is both comedy and poignancy to be found: laughter is a constant presence, capable of transforming the darkest of experiences into something redemptive.
My Family: The Memoir is David Baddiel’s candid examination of his childhood, family and memory offering a twisted love letter to his parents.
'Such a blisteringly honest book it would set fire to the word "candid" for being too pathetic' CAITLIN MORAN
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What listeners say about My Family
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Rachel
- 07-07-24
A funny and honest account of family life
David Baddiel writes at times with painful honesty about his parents and what life was like growing up with them. Towards the end of the book, as he reflects on what he discovered after they both died, you can start to fully appreciate the impact they have had on him. Although he often refers to how unconventional his parents were, I think most of us can relate to how difficult it can be at times to have relationships with those closest to us. This is a brilliantly funny and honest account of family life and I highly recommend it. These are the best stories, and what life is all about…the memories we have of our families.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Matt
- 18-11-24
Superb!
Simply hilarious. Couldn't stop listening and felt too short, but in a good way, highly recommend it!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Avid listener
- 21-07-24
So funny!
An honest, hilarious, moving & sometimes shocking depiction of an eccentric family, very relateable for anyone growing up in the 70s whose family were a bit leftfield.
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- David Brooks
- 11-08-24
Brilliant memoir
Really enjoyed listening.to this. Very interesting account and many, many laugh out loud moments. Would recommend to anyone.
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- Emma Thomas
- 11-07-24
Poignant, highly reflective and very funny
A very witty and seemingly honest account of his unconventional and fascinating parents, told with affection. Whilst his relationships with his parents and their own idiosyncrasies are described through the lens of what must have been years of therapy, David Baddiel’s story seems authentic and heartfelt. An interesting and entertaining read.
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- Weaver
- 03-08-24
“Moving” and “Funny”
I laughed, I cried, my jaw dropped. Often simultaneously. Beautifully read by the author, a bonus to hear both the laughter and the sadness the memories bring to his narration. Highly recommended.
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- Rochelle
- 13-10-24
Raw honesty
Such a great listen. Funny and sad but never morose. I was giggling in so many places then found the tears rolling when he described his mother’s passing as it took me back to my own mum’s in similar circumstances. What you miss by not having the photos etc from
The physical book is more than made up for by having this memoir retold by the author in the most honest way.
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- anon
- 16-07-24
David’s in a bin bag
I really loved this book! I just need to go to the book shop now and look at all the photos he mentioned.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Kindle Customer
- 13-07-24
Fabulous!
I loved this book and although some of it made me feel a bit sad, it also made me laugh out loud. Most of all it is interesting and I devoured the whole thing over two days. Whether you have heard of David Baddiel or not I highly recommend reading it.
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- Barbados
- 15-07-24
Will have you laughing and crying simultaneously
The story is great, taking the listener through a humorous yet humbling story of being the child of parents.
There’s nothing unique about the premise - parents are a constant source of embarrassment. But the way the story is told you really get to “know” David Baddiel’s parents (as much as you can from a story.
While you laugh at his mother’s “misuse” of speech marks you cry the moment his father shows a glimpse of his real self. With the conversation between David Baddiel and his father near the end about having a match, I was properly belly laughing, while flooding tears into my car - I had to pull over because I couldn’t drive until I composed myself - something I didn’t know was possible, I’ve laughed so hard I cried, but never cried and laughed to such a degree.
The story ends with a question, “I hope you have enjoyed the story” the answer to that is a whole hearted YES
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