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Published Feb 2022
288 pages
Genre: Essays
Publication Information
Jenny Lawson meets Nora Ephron in this joyful memoir-in-vignettes on living - and thriving - with anxiety from a multiple Emmy Award-winning comedy writer whose credits include Succession and Veep.
When Georgia Pritchett found herself lost for words—a bit of a predicament for a comedy writer—she turned to a therapist, who suggested she try writing down some of the things that worried her. But instead of a grocery list of concerns, Georgia wrote this book.
A natural born worrywart, Georgia's life has been defined by her quirky anxiety. During childhood, she was agitated about the monsters under her bed (Were they comfy enough?). Going into labor, she fretted about making a fuss ("Sorry to interrupt, but the baby is coming out of my body," I said politely). Winning a prestigious award, she agonized over receiving free gifts after the ceremony (It was an excruciating experience. Mortifying).
Soul-baring yet lighthearted, poignant yet written with a healthy dose of self-deprecation, My Mess Is a Bit of a Life is a tour through the carnival funhouse of Georgia's life, from her anxiety-ridden early childhood where disaster loomed around every corner (When I was little I used to think that sheep were clouds that had fallen to earth. On cloudy days I used to worry that I would be squashed by a sheep), through the challenges of breaking into an industry dominated by male writers, to the exquisite terror (and incomparable joy) of raising children.
Delightfully offbeat, painfully honest, full of surprising wonders, and delivering plenty of hilarious, laugh-out-loud moments, My Mess Is a Bit of a Life reveals a talented, vulnerable, and strong woman in all her wisecracking weirdness, and makes us love it—and her—too.
"British comedy writer Pritchett debuts with a collection of zippy and poignant anecdotes that describe living at the crossroads of imagination and anxiety...The delivery's delightful and as finely tuned as poetry or a tight stand-up routine. Her torment, as well as her joys, are readers' gain." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Though some readers may not fully appreciate Pritchett's spare style and the nicknames she uses when referring to those who are closest to her, anyone who enjoys Pritchett's work and/or British humor will no doubt like this book. Mordantly understated at times, delightfully sharp-tongued at others." - Kirkus Reviews
"Readers will find lots to like about this memoir, especially those who may have experience with the emotions Pritchett details." - Booklist
"Very funny and honest and emotional...a really great read." - Matt Haig, author of The Midnight Library
"Georgia Pritchett is a singularly hilarious person. Her book is a delightful and perfect reflection of her. Its tenderness sneaks up on you and really packs a punch. What a magnificent read!'' - Julia Louis Dreyfus
"Reading Georgia Pritchett, you think a) I wish my brain moved that fast and b) under her fierce, take-no-prisoners wit beats the loudest heart. I cannot wait to read this again." - Kathryn Hahn
This information about My Mess Is a Bit of a Life was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Georgia Pritchett is a multi-award-winning comedy and drama writer. Her writing and production credits include Veep, Have I Got News for You, Smack the Pony, Not Going Out, The Thick of It, and many more. She is currently a writer and co-executive producer on HBO's critically acclaimed and award-winning show, Succession.
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