How Do You Want Me?

Loved Wax's wild sense of humor about the most miserable childhood ever... Like a solo performance, only in book form.

I was interested in the other reviews of this book--and surprised at their lukewarm and even hostile attitudes. It would seem you either like Ruby Wax's wild and outrageous sense of humor or you don't. And if you're American, which I am, you might take offense at some of her well thought-out potshots at the USA, but only if you takes things so personally that you can't laugh at your own country. In which case, steer clear of Ruby. I read this book in one sitting--it was something I regretted ending. There are passages that are so funny (like her excursion to Disneyland) that I was in physical pain from laughing so much. There are also sadder passages recounting the loss and difficulty she went through in coming to terms with the abusive upbringing she had at the hands of her eccentric but mad parents. What comes through is that she came through all of it, on a different continent, fulfilling her dreams to act (despite all the ugly things her parents told her about her lack of talent). For that reason this book is ultimately uplifting and positive. It is a sometimes raucously funny account of one very talented person's survival at the hands of utterly insane parents. Well done! And in regards to Girls on Top, I think it is fantastic--not the same as AbFab, but quite spot on. I cross my fingers that we will see more of Ruby in the future.

I've been a Ruby Wax fan for many years but it wasn't until I read this book that I began to understood the wellspring of her often aggressive humour. Like so many clowns, her mask conceals a troubled soul. It took her many years to realise she needed help. I suspect writing this book was part of the therapy. The book is a mixture of laughter and sadness, and as we share her journey towards self understanding, the latter emotion becomes dominant. Nevertheless, it was well worth reading and I particularly recommend it to anyone who has suffered at the hands of overbearing and deprecating parents.