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How Not to Be a Boy

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How Not to Be a Boy

By: Robert Webb
Narrated by: Robert Webb
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About this listen

Rules for Being a Man:

  • Don't cry
  • Love sport
  • Play rough
  • Drink beer
  • Don't talk about feelings

But Robert Webb has been wondering for some time now: are those rules actually any use? To anyone?

Looking back over his life, from schoolboy crushes (on girls and boys) to discovering the power of making people laugh (in the Cambridge Footlights with David Mitchell), and from losing his beloved mother to becoming a husband and father, Robert Webb considers the absurd expectations boys and men have thrust upon them at every stage of life. Hilarious and heartbreaking, How Not to Be a Boy explores the relationships that made Robert who he is as a man, the lessons we learn as sons and daughters, and the understanding that sometimes you aren't the Luke Skywalker of your life - you're actually Darth Vader.

©2017 Robert Webb (P)2017 Audible, Ltd Entertainment & Celebrities Funny Witty Celebrity Inspiring Feel-Good Heartfelt Thought-Provoking Emotionally Gripping

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Critic reviews

"Quite simply brilliant. I (genuinely) cried. I (genuinely) laughed out loud. It's profound, touching, personal yet universal. I loved it." (JK Rowling)
"Takes us deftly from hilarity to heart-stopping hurt.... A truly great read." (Dawn French)
"A witty and honest coming-of-age story." (Ian Rankin)
"If you have ever loved, liked or known a man, please read this book." (Katy Brand)
"A brilliant, brave book." (Matt Lucas)
All stars
Most relevant
Robert Webb is hilarious and honest in this book, both in his writing of it, and his reading.

It's an autobiographical book, with the added twist of being blatant and upfront about the (not so) hidden political agendas. This book is not about trying to say men shouldn't be proud to be men, but it does try to address the stereotypes put on boys as they grow up, which then go on to hinder everyone in general.

This book is full of both funny insights and incredibly honest pain. It uses Webb's personal accounts and experiences to try and reassure boys and men that it's okay to cry, it's okay to have emotions and to like pink.

We hear all too often about how stereotypes on women hold them and wider society back and, as a female, I have seen that and know it all too well. It's less talked about how the same happens to men. This books was refreshing in that it came at the subject from a different point of view.

I will be recommending this book to both men and women. It was a great listen, and it made me think about my life and the world around me. Thank you Robert Webb for writing such a raw, honest and thought-provoking book.

And I loved the Audible Extras.

Excellent Autobiography with a twist

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So I just finished “how not to be a boy” by Robert Webb which was a goodish book. Funny touching and left you thinking the main character (Robert Webb) was not a great person which is very honest in a novel.

However the pod cast attached to the end of the audible version made me burst out laughing in public place a few times in a row so would recommend the audible version/extended version.

Honest

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A very thoughtful, hilarious and slightly wallowing (in a honest/vulnerable rather than bad way) account of Roberts Webb's mostly teenage/university life. Having recently listened to Trevor Noah's 'born a crime', the bar was set pretty damn high, but this book is also awesome. Webb's account of his upbringing makes you think a lot about sexism, and particularly the negative effects of gender stereotyping on boys (which is often overlooked) it will also probably make you call your parents

Terribly cyclical and terribly funny

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A really beautifully written book that had me sobbing at times, but also really funny. I had to turn it off at some parts whilst listening on public transport because I genuinely couldn't stop laughing. It has a strong messages throughout about gender such as how society has forever wrongly told men to "man up" and the adverse impact this can have on both men and women. I cannot recommend this book enough and it is told brilliantly.

Fantastic

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Interesting and deeply open memoir that has a fairly interesting past-self-evaluation, delivered in a great style the author is well-recognised for

fun, thoughtful, honest

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