'One of the most powerful books of the year' Daily Mail

'Nobody can make the serious funny and the funny serious quite like Ruby.' - Alastair Campbell

Dear Reader,

Checking into a mental clinic wasn't exactly on my radar in 2022. Writing about it wasn't either. But here we are.

I spent a lifetime trying to create a 'front' to give everyone the illusion that all is well. It wasn't, and it isn't. Now I look back and I think, 'what the f*ck was that all about?'

I began the book trying to find meaning by going on various, life-changing journeys, I ended up in a mental clinic; obviously things didn't work out the way I expected. This is the story of what happened after the mental car crash . . . From then on, the journey had to turn inward. It turns out I wasn't looking for meaning, I was looking for home.

I'm not a fiction writer. I can't fake it. I could say I rode into the sunset, but life isn't like that unless you're a cowboy. Truth is I'm not as well as I thought I was.

These days, trying to stay sane in a completely chaotic world makes life incredibly difficult. For those readers who are deep in the darkness of mental illness, I hope my book makes you feel less alone.

Take care, love,
Ruby x

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'If you buy only one book this year, make it this one.' - Joanna Lumley

'A true tour de force. We're all a little messed up in our own ways, but we should all strive to be as fabulously fearless as Ruby.' - Fearne Cotton

As seen on Channel 5 Castaway


Sunday Times bestseller, May 2023

About the Author
Ruby Wax is a successful comedian, TV writer and performer of over 25 years. Ruby additionally holds a Master's degree in Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy from Oxford University, and was awarded an OBE in 2015 for her services to mental health. She is the author of books Sane New World and A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled, and has toured all over the world with the accompanying one-woman shows. Both books have reached the number one spot on The Sunday Times bestsellers list. She has over 150k followers on Twitter.

Reviews
An exceptional account on mental health from a true tour de force. We're all a little messed up in our own ways, but we should all strive to be as fabulously fearless as Ruby -- Fearne Cotton
Not only will this book make you feel less alone, it also might just change your life -- Scarlett Curtis
If you buy only one book this year, make it this one. Brilliant, heartbreakingly funny and painful: I couldn't put it down -- Joanna Lumley
A book about ways to find yourself, from someone who knows that she is lost. I'm glad this book exists -- Neil Gaiman
Nobody can make the serious funny and the funny serious quite like Ruby. It's why she is so important to the mental-health debate -- Alastair Campbell
One of the most powerful books of the year * The Daily Mail *
An unflinchingly honest account * iNews *
An open account of the benefits of therapy, particularly cognitive behavioural therapy, can only benefit readers and the book is a firm reminder that everyone can struggle * iNews *
Follow Wax on the winding road on which she tries to find herself, where you'll encounter many side-splitting laughs, the odd tear and no doubt fragments of yourself along the way * ES Magazine *
There is no-one as witty, inspiring and frank as Ruby Wax when it comes to mental health - this book provides a brutally honest and thoughtful insight into Wax's journey, including conversations with therapists and the highs and lows of fame * The Herald *
A typically sharp read, full of wit and brutally honest observations * The Irish News *
[Ruby Wax] is a force of nature, but also like so many of us, an incredibly fragile one [...] Her latest book is possibly her most honest yet. * BBC Radio 5 Live *



Book Information
ISBN 9780241554913
Author Ruby Wax
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Penguin Life
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 162g
Dimensions(mm) 199mm * 130mm * 15mm