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No Shame
- Narrated by: Tom Allen
- Length: 5 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Entertainment & Celebrities
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Summary
When I was 16 I dressed in Victorian clothing in a bid to distract people from the fact that I was gay. It was a flawed plan.
No Shame is a very funny, candid and emotional ride of a memoir by one of our most beloved comedians. The working-class son of a coach driver and the youngest member of the Noel Coward Society, Tom Allen grew up in '90s suburbia as the eternal outsider.
In these hilarious, honest and heart-breaking stories Tom recalls observations on childhood, his adolescence, the family he still lives with and his attempts to come out and negotiate the gay dating scene. They are written with his trademark caustic wit and warmth, and will entertain, surprise and move you in equal measure.
What listeners say about No Shame
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Helen RP
- 13-11-20
Listened without stopping
Bit disappointed with MYSELF for not having the self control to save some of this wonderful book for another day.
It’s brilliant on many levels but as a 46 year old woman (sadly, actually 46) I was thrilled with how utterly relatable it was. Universal truths, or maybe it’s like when Victoria Wood said she couldn’t bear how people wrote in library books, and once she found “this happened to me too” scribbled in a copy of Shakespeare’s Richard III. Who knows.
What I do know is that Tom Allen’s ‘No Shame’ was a joy to listen to from beginning to end.
I don’t usually write reviews but I was just hoping Tom might see this and validate me.
54 people found this helpful
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- Adam
- 27-11-20
I loved Tom's book
What a brilliant storyteller!! I had pretty much a constant smile on my face listening to to this book. I had several strange looks on my daily walks from people. I could relate to a lot of stuff that Tom wrote about even though I am 10 years older than him. My favourite chapter was cruising (and not that sort!) just hilarious and I now want to book one! Just brilliant. I also loved the letters at the end section. Had a very warm glow afterwards. Just buy the book 😍😍.
16 people found this helpful
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- Claire Gard
- 18-11-20
Brilliantly heartfelt
What a fantastic book. Just what we need in 2020. A truly beautiful story, funny and Toms reading is perfect. I loved every second. Thank you
12 people found this helpful
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- Alison Murray
- 18-11-20
Absolutely brilliant
Just wish it had been longer, could listen to him all day!
He was hilarious 😂
10 people found this helpful
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- Matthew
- 19-11-20
Loved it!
I don't know this guy but thought his book and narration was brilliant. Very reminiscent of my growing up and very relatable. Definitely recommend!
9 people found this helpful
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- JW
- 10-12-20
Lovely and endearing
Very funny, mostly because it’s narrated by himself and he doesn’t have to do much else to make you laugh.
I really want to go shopping with him now.
7 people found this helpful
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- Deborah T.
- 29-11-20
Loved it
Hugely entertaining and enjoyable memoirs from my favourite comedian, with the added bonus of Tom narrating. Touching at times, very funny and totally absorbing.
7 people found this helpful
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- bookworm
- 04-12-20
So funny and endearing
Made even funnier by Tom's distinctive voice and delivery. Really cheered me up in these uncertain times.
6 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 18-11-20
Fabulous
Absolutely loved this book, I did not want it to end , it had me laughing out loud and believe me I don’t do that often,i also shed a tear, best book I have listened to on Audible.
6 people found this helpful
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- Love Goats
- 07-12-20
I'm not alone!
Great read. I thought I was the only one who took a briefcase to school. Reading that Tom did too has lifted a weight I have been carrying for over twenty years!
5 people found this helpful
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- Jennifer Bradbury
- 16-06-21
Cried laughing
What can I say? I'm a fan. Tom Allen's sense of humour is genuinely brilliant. I recommend to anyone who loves a more intelligent British style of comedy, with odd naughty bits thrown in for good measure. So good.
1 person found this helpful
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- Casey
- 12-05-21
Charming!
One of the best memoirs I’ve listened to. I laughed a lot and shed. some tears as well. The man has a poignant story to tell and does it with great humor and grace.
1 person found this helpful
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- damon daunno
- 03-01-21
Hilarious and Moving
Such a wonderful book to listen to, so funny and so powerful and hearing the author read it is such a treat! Already can’t wait for his next book!
1 person found this helpful
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- Cromwell F.
- 27-12-20
What a delight ❤️
I loved this book. I listened to it in two sittings, it's charming, witty, enlightening and heartwarming. I'm sure it will also be very comforting to some people. Tom Allen in a gem.
1 person found this helpful
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- Ann Marie Houseworth
- 11-04-22
Wonderful!
I first saw you on Mock the Week. I really enjoy your comedy, especially your delivery. I watch YouTube videos to see you but someday hope to venture across the pond to see live in concert.
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- tom4seattle
- 20-12-21
Great performance and fun stories.
Very amusing anecdotes and comments on life around him. Inspiring too because of the love and support of his mom and dad, brother, teachers and friends.
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- Kristen
- 18-12-20
I laughed, I cried: legitimately
Tom has such a way of explaining his life occurrences in a way that everyone can relate even if it’s not exactly their life. I have never been a gay man in London, and yet I felt connected to his stories of a life of being “different”. His stories of the shame he has felt throughout his life and how he pushed through and rose above made me tear up more than once. 10/10 would always recommend!
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- Bonnie Kennedy
- 01-12-20
Funny, insightful, and honest
The best thing about this book is how relatable it is, the introspection and looking back at the motivations we all had when we were young to appear cool and normal and interesting. The second best thing is his reading style, it is hilarious and puts a smile on my face every time. Wonderful book, wonderful author, Tom Allen is crushing it!