*minor spoilers ahead*
Miranda Hart’s book is a memoir and self-help guide covering Hart’s life, particularly over the last decade. I’ve been a big fan of Hart as a comedian and actress growing up, and wanted to read her book ever since I heard she had been struggling with chronic illness.
This book was much more of a self-help book than I initially realised. Hart researches the basics of wellbeing, but is also very raw and honest about her personal experiences with her health. Hart’s personality is comforting, and that does come across in her writing without sugarcoating the difficulties and trauma she’s gone through. She is realistically optimistic about the future.
‘Know that you can be okay. More than okay. You already are. You are fabulous. Fact. Whether you believe it or not.’ – pXV
I did, however, find this a lengthy book, and some of the sections were unnecessarily long. These could have been shortened, but it was nice to see that Hart had written this book freely and as she intended. I found the first 100 pages quite repetitive, going through the same cycle of her struggling with her illness without a diagnosis and plan for the future, and still feeling so physically unwell. It wasn’t until she received her diagnosis that I felt like the book started to have some direction. The book did get better as it went along, but the ending also fell flat by being repetitive again.
In terms of Hart’s health struggles, I did empathise and understand the frustration of doctors being dismissive or not listening to their patients and having to relentlessly self-advocate. But, when it came to Hart discussing techniques around improving mental health and wellbeing, I imagine that the self-help side of the book may come across as patronising to some.
I do believe Hart’s intentions are pure, and it’s positive to see a lot of techniques working for Hart, but this will not work for all. She explains that simple pleasures in life are important, and whilst this is true, for someone struggling significantly in their life, this can be quite a flat message.
I think any self-help book it’s open to criticism when it comes to overcoming physical and mental health battles. It’s a very personal experience, and the techniques that help one person may not help another. Whilst the intention may be well, it can often trigger those who are struggling, who cannot overcome their difficulties.
I did enjoy reading about the more positive elements of Hart’s personal life, especially about the dates she went on. My favourite part was when Hart was talking about The Boy who later becomes The Boyfriend, and then The Husband. That was a very wholesome part of the book, and I wish she had touched on this more.
Overall, I did enjoy reading this book, but I would have liked more of the memoir side and less self-help to make it less preachy. I do struggle with reading nonfiction as I don’t get that element of escapism that I get with reading fiction, but this was an honest read by Hart. I can also imagine this being a good audiobook with Hart’s narration, adding to the humour and informal writing.
3/5 stars
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