Hannah Gadsby

Finally read the entire thing, or more accurately, listened to them tell it on audiobook. (I needed to stay in bed for a day.) Thankfully, having seen Nanette I was braced for the most traumatic stuff they talks about, however they downplay a lot of it because they are not really interested in spending any more time talking about it. There's a lot about the forces that shaped them, especially their family, and I really loved being taken through their artistic process. A really winner.

Hannah Gadsby had a lot of strikes against her; she grew up queer (and deeply closeted), on the autism spectrum, and with undiagnosed ADHD in conservative, homophobic, closed-minded Tasmania, Australia. But Gadsby doesn't want your pity, she wants to explain how she created a ground-breaking Netflix special from the traumas she experienced (and the unconventional but genuine love she received from her parents and 4 older siblings). And then she pretty much wants all cishet white men to fuck show more off.

The book runs a little long (and never gets around to the fun stuff like how she met her wife), but it helped me understand what it's like to have an atypical brain and to experience the world very differently from normies. Gadsby's description of the creative process she uses in her comedy (or "comedy") is enlightening. Sadly, reading about the virulent anti-queer attitudes and legislation that Tasmania and the rest of Australia experienced in the mid 1990s only magnifies the horror of what's happening now with queer rights at risk.

I think it helps to have seen Nanette to get the most out of this book. It's not necessary, but if you missed it when it made such a splash in 2018, you should definitely watch it. Whether on stage or on the page Gadsby tells her unique truth, and you can't walk away unscathed. show less

This was a memoir with such a unique perspective. Through her candid storytelling, Hannah shares her upbringing in Tasmania, navigating her queerness, and coming to terms with her autism. Listening to this audiobook is a beautiful author-narrated journey of self-discovery, filled with insights and reflections. The audiobook added a new layer of depth to the “Nanette” special, with clips shared throughout. Hannah's ability to intertwine personal anecdotes with Tasmania's history and show more politics is such a strength. The style is captivating and informative, offering a glimpse into a world history I was completely unfamiliar with. She tackles issues of self-deprecation and misogyny with grace and resilience. Her honesty and vulnerability made this a compelling listen. This is a thought-provoking and enlightening memoir with valuable insights into identity, acceptance, and growth. Whether you're a fan of "Nanette" or new to Hannah's work, this audiobook is worth a listen. show less

When Robin Williams died everyone spoke about how it was such a travesty that someone so funny could die, that no one knew there was a such a dark history weighing him down…. So when Hannah talks of her personal and dark history…. We of course tell her she’s not funny and shouldnt discuss such things so openly….

Look it’s dark and it’s fucked up…. But Hannah tells it from a healthier point of view. She’s has processed a lot and really the historical references are a neat way show more to pin into you how things came about. Why they came about. It hurts… but so did her life. I can’t take it upon myself to not appreciate what the story took to bring to life show less