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Because I Don't Know What You Mean and What You Don't

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Because I Don't Know What You Mean and What You Don't

By: Josie Long
Narrated by: Josie Long
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LONGLISTED FOR THE EDGE HILL SHORT STORY PRIZE

From a comic mastermind comes this brilliant collection of stories

Three teenagers believe they are witches.
A woman defaces a local billboard.
A bored landlord tries to influence his son’s best friend.
A cul-de-sac WhatsApp group discusses eggs at length.
A heavily pregnant woman finds a way to time travel and a girl discovers joy on a stolen bicycle . . .

Each tale paints a life in miniature and offers an escape chute from the mayhem of modern life.

Keep listening after the credits for an interview with Josie Long.

 Anthologies & Short Stories Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Short Stories Women's Fiction Comedy
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Critic reviews

"Josie Long can REALLY write. Read these stories NOW" (DAWN FRENCH)
"Her writing is miraculous. A dazzling debut" (JOANNA LUMLEY)
"Josie's stories are like her comedy – beautifully observed, strange, good-hearted, unsettling and truly funny. Read them immediately" (A. L. KENNEDY)
"I loved this short story collection. Funny, poignant, daft, and occasionally even hilariously cynical" (FRANKIE BOYLE)
"Josie's writing is everything I love about her stand-up: sharp and smart, hilarious and incisive, infused with love for the world and the complicated people who live in it. A joy to read" (MONICA HEISEY)
"Josie Long is my favourite comedian and when reading these stories, all the cynicism I’ve acquired gets replaced by the enthusiasm I felt the first time I saw her live" (JAMES ACASTER)
"Josie Long’s first collection reveals a natural gift with a frank and poignant tale; teenage experience, community WhatsApp groups and broken family units are picked apart with a wry cynicism at the weirdness and cruelty of life . . . makes for an approachable debut full of heart and hope"
"Josie’s stories are tender, devastating and hilarious, often all at the same time. Opening up this book is like skinny-dipping in the brain of a genius - I never wanted to come up for air" (SOPHIE DUKER)
"No-one manages to mix the profound with the funny quite like Josie Long. She’s not just the voice of a generation, she’s it’s head and heart too. Her writing is exquisite, her performances invigorating and inspirational. I could not love this woman more. She’s just the best" (BRIDGET CHRISTIE)
"I knew this book would be funny and relatable. I didn't know it would also be angry, heartbreaking and knife-sharp. I love these stories" (KIRSTY LOGAN)
All stars
Most relevant
Absolutely loved listening to Josie reading her book. I don’t think I’ve felt so many different emotions all at once.
Wonderful 🤩

Beautifully written rollercoaster

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Really enjoyed this. Very relatable and human. Simple plots with twists and turns that were heartwarming felt, even the low points. Josie has created a beautiful book. let's hope there will be another...

beautifully on point collection of stories

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I really enjoyed this collection. It really adds to the experience hearing Josie read them. Like listening to her spinning a yarn whilst waiting to get into a gig.

Excellent variety and interesting styles

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One of the best short story collections I have ever listened to! The depth and weight of all the stories stays with you long after it is finished. Beautifully written and read 💜

Beautiful, moving and hilarious

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The stories move at a good pace and the characters are fully developed. There is a lot of variety in the stories, told through different narrators.

A brilliant collection of stories

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