Sure, I'll Join Your Cult: A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere by Maria Bamford

Sure, I'll Join Your Cult: A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere Reviews

• 
  Brendan Dowd (History Nerds United)

  This book is chaos. I mean that in the most positive way possible.
  
  Maria Bamford's "Sure, I'll Join Your Cult" is first and foremost, hilarious. It is hilarious at extremely inappropriate times. Admittedly, my family and friends agree that those are the funniest times. If you disagree, well, I don't know how much you'll like the book but you are missing out.
  
  As funny as Bamford is, whether in this book or her amazing standup, I was not sure what this narrative would end up being. Memoirs can be a mixed bag because the subject may lack true insight, may not know where the funny is, or just thinks their life is interesting when it's not. Bamford almost lulled me into believing she was going to go hard into the humor of her life in the first few chapters. She talks about some heavy topics but it felt like she was going to her closer material to heighten the laughs. Slowly, Bamford reveals a lot more about how her brain works (her time in mental health facilities is especially eye opening) and becomes much more direct about her challenges. Don't worry, she never stops being funny in the book, but the latter half reveals the true intention of her book. She's had struggles and she hopes this book helps if you do, too.
  
  (This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Gallery Books.)
• 
  Wendy

  Really loved this, and if you love Maria’s comedy this will not disappoint. I truly loved the honest talk about mental health and more importantly mental health care in our world….which is full of platitudes and not much else. I’ll read again! Hilarious and meaningful:
• 
  Richard Propes

  Considered by Judd Apatow to be the "funniest woman in the world," Maria Bamford has long been one of the comedy world's most brutally honest and relentlessly transparent voices with a brand of comedy that can be controversial yet is fiercely embraced by the millions, myself included, who resonate with her transparency, weirdness, and refreshingly brave commentary on herself and the world around her.
  
  This is the Bamford that you should expect to come to life in "Sure, I'll Join Your Cult: A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere," Bamford's literary debut and a book that possesses everything we've come to know and love about Bamford in her typically self-deprecating style and with a frenetic pace that will make it an exhausting experience for those who can't quite sync with Bamford's unique rhythms.
  
  Bamford has long been open about her diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder, her nearly daily struggles with suicidal ideation, and her seemingly lifelong experiences with mental illness that have both challenged her daily existence while also fueling her comedy success.
  
  It would be impossible to not completely love Bamford, and that sincerity and love come to life beautifully here, and you can't help but worry about her even as you're laughing right along.
  
  "Sure, I'll Join Your Cult" is a different sort of memoir. It's less about Bamford's life journey and more about her journey toward something resembling belonging. Bamford's memoir of mental illness is a journey through the various groups, rigid structures, and organizations that most often temporarily gave her a place to stay like Dale Carnegie's "How to Win Friends and Influence People" and Richard Simmons to 12-step groups like Debtors Anonymous, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, and others. Seemingly in a better, or at least less precarious place now, Bamford's nearly ten-year marriage to Scott Cassidy seems to have provided her a grounding she's long craved and a stability that still feels as if it could dissipate in any moment.
  
  There's an edginess to "Sure, I'll Join Your Cult" that is simultaneously exhilarating and more than a little frightening. Bamford invites us, as much as possible, inside her daily existence in a mind that survives yet constantly struggles to do so. She humanizes mental illness - not just by making us laugh but by allowing us to see her in a natural "as is" state of being. Seldom has an author felt so incredibly honest and brave and authentic as is the case with Bamford and "Sure, I'll Join Your Cult."
  
  "Sure, I'll Join Your Cult" is destined to be a difficult read for some and a freeing read for others. It's an exhausting experience, however, it's also the kind of reading experience that makes you feel like maybe, just maybe, you can tell your own secrets and your own stories.
  
  Maybe, just maybe you can find a place to belong.
  
  I already absolutely loved Maria Bamford. "Sure, I'll Join Your Cult" helps me understand why and makes me love her even more.
• 
  Jill S

  This memoir is, above all, hysterical. The best stand-up show I've ever seen was Maria Bamford, and the audiobook had me roaring laughing as much as I did at the show. It obviously isn't some grandiose piece of literature, but it is raw and honest about family and mental illness while also making me howl with laughter, and that makes it a success.
• 
  Vincent Scarpa

  “I’m not suicidal, but I’m also not particularly psyched.”
  
  Maria Bamford has long been my favorite comedian — I think she’s the single funniest person on the planet — so this book was always going to land in my sweet spot, but I have to say that it exceeded even my high expectations. Bamford is a hysterical miner of lived experience, and she shares so much of who and how she is in this book. A delight.
• 
  Stella

  An honest portrait of mental health and a family history from the always hilarious Maria Bamford.
  
  Five stars and all of the thumbs up.
  
  Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the opportunity to read and review.
• 
  Kristin Hoyer

  Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
  
  Maria Bamford showcases her life and her mental health issues in this brutally honest, hilarious memoir. I am generally skeptical of any and all "true stories" from famous people, but Bamford makes it hard to doubt her sincerity. At one point, she literally lays out her finances for the world to see, which I found absolutely fascinating. If you have ever wanted to know, in detail, how a comedian affords the LA lifestyle, this is the book for you.
  
  The "cults" she joins tend to be more self-help-y and less the disturbing, religious, polygamist type. She won't join just any cult, really, because her sister has one and she's not in it! Some of my favorite sections of the book were the one about her pugs (which she considers the closest Earthly thing to gods, and I couldn't agree more), the section where she describes a "typical" day with her partner, Scott, and the last bit, where she kind of quickly and brutally tells the reader how NOT to talk to a mentally ill person in the middle of an episode. She details an unhinged list of legitimate and bizarre places to go for help; Banford wants people to get help, to be as well as possible, and she recognizes how hard that is under our current system.
  
  This memoir helped me better understand the difficulty of living with mental illness and emphasizes how important it is to both advocate for yourself, and to find people who love you to advocate for you. Bamford's voice is so warm and funny: she comes across as someone who truly cares, someone who wants what is best for everyone.
  
  I give Sure, I'll Join Your Cult 10/10 stars and recommend it to anyone who likes to laugh and who wants a better understanding of how to deal with life when your brain is not braining.
• 
  Annika

  It's rare that I will laugh out loud while reading a book and this one made me do just that. Maria Bamford's heartbreaking and hilarious memoir/self-help book is great for anyone going through a difficult/happy/any time. Whether a fan of her comedy or not, this book is an enjoyable and surprisingly relatable read.
• 
  Steve Albert

  [For Net Galley]. This was way funnier than 'Girl Interrupted' and 'Bell Jar,' yet also very informative and practical. I read this because I'm a fan and it totally made me more of a fan. Maria is honest, but not in a melodramatic confessional way. Just blunt. You can go ahead and read the other reviews now, they're probably written by people with podcasts who are used to saying a lot.
• 
  Sacha

  5 stars
  
  Fans of Maria Bamford will love this. Folks who are new to her should know a bit about her style before they jump into this memoir.
  
  Bamford is hilarious, and her approach to even extremely serious issues (like mental health struggles) reveals this constant attention to humor. The work begins with a key: a literal list of symbols indicating to readers where they'll get everything from triggering content to recipes (Yes. Recipes). From cover to cover, this book is just as quirky in its structure and messaging as its central subject.
  
  Though I really enjoyed this read (and am about halfway into my second round - I have a third planned for the audio as soon as Libby lets me have it!), I let myself have some time to process it. The delivery is humorous and mostly light, but the subject matter is the opposite, and sometimes the sincerity sneaks up on readers (well, at least that was my experience). Don't come to this looking for a light read but a surprisingly poignant one.
  
  I started this book a fan of Bamford's and am leaving it (again!) with an even greater appreciation not only for her experiences but for how she has framed them and continues to share them. For the right readers, this is a real gem.
  
  *Special thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for this arc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
• 
  Rae | The Finer Things Club CA

  In 𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘦, 𝘐’𝘭𝘭 𝘑𝘰𝘪𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵, comedian and actress Maria Bamford shares the story of her life, career in show business, and mental health journey via the various social groups and self-help communities she’s belonged to over the years. Bamford tells you upfront: 1) this memoir is her first book, 2) it is meant to be comedic and she is not an expert on the topics she discusses in it, and 3) it does not have the “trauma, healing, and victory” trajectory typical of the genre. It is a much-appreciated disclaimer, because while I can see this book being an excellent read for those who are big fans of her stand-up or relate to her personal experiences, I found my interest waning over time. At its best, the book is honest and amusing, but there is also a good deal of frenzy and disorderliness in her writing style that made my attention wander. The book wasn’t for me, but I’m glad it exists for her fans and for those will benefit from reading her health discussions. 3.5 stars rounded up.
  
  Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Miriam

  Incredibly funny, relatable, honest and poignant. Five hot, buzzing, electric Stars for me.
• 
  Martin Maenza

  This autobiography will be released on September 5, 2023. Gallery Books provided an early galley for review.
  
  I have heard it said that many comedians view themselves and/or the world as "broken" or "damagaged". They use comedy as a coping mechanism, a form of therapy. Laughter is the best medicine.
  
  I have seen Maria's stand-up on cable. Her voices are fantastic, and her comedy utilizes them and facial expressions to the full extent. Her rhythms are different from most comedians as well. Having familiarity with all of this is beneficial when reading her book as her written delivery is similar to her stand-up delivery. I found I enjoyed her writing more when I could read it "in her voice". If she narrates the audiobook version, I think that will be an even better experience.
• 
  alexis

  If you like Maria Bamford, then you should absolutely read this, but also isn’t that how all celebrity memoirs work (theoretically)? I bet the audiobook is amazing.
• 
  Heather Reynolds

  Disjointed, frantic, manic, word vomit but it works. I went between laughing and zoning out.
• 
  Catherine Chea Bryce

  I just finished listening to the audiobook. It was narrated like a standup comedy, short chapters with fun sound effects as if you were watching a comedy show. Somehow, this format doesn’t work for me as a book because it feels disjointed. I also could use a break from consuming too much comedy all at once. There were parts that I found funny and other parts just sad. It took a while for me to get use to Maria’s dry and dark humour. I like her honesty and how she spoke of her mental illnesses and the various way she sought treatment. But I was hoping for more of the cult aspect as the title implies. I still recommend the audiobook instead version instead of the book as the voice narration was fun!
• 
  Keeley

  I’ve never laughed more in my adult life! I love Maria Bamford so much and this book is the hot fudge on the sundae of my love. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook to get the full scope of her brilliance - so honest and open, so unique and special. Loved it!!!
• 
  Sean

  I highly recommend listening to the audiobook read by the author. One of Bamford's greatest comedic talents is slipping in and out of vocal personalities so listening to the audiobook was amazing. I can see why she drives her family crazy with her impersonations, but to the lucky outsider, they are comedy gold. The book is poignant, hilarious and not a little deranged. Loved it!
• 
  Wendelle

  quite funny and absorbing with a very likeable author, however there were no spicy, juicy religious cult stories to be had, rather there were chance encounters and memberships in various diet fads or all-encompassing lifestyle trends
• 
  Cary

  If you are familiar with Maria Bamford you should know what you are going to get. And she doesn't disappoint. It moves back and forth between hilarious and heartbreaking. You MUST listen to the audio - her different characters, voices, impersonations are amazing!
• 
  Aaron

  The best thing about this was the use of Comic Sans for any potentially triggering content which was both thoughtful and hilarious. The worst was that the bit about the dead pug was not set in Comic Sans.
• 
  Alison White

  Love Maria and loved every single moment.
• 
  John

  Did this on audiobook as I can’t imagine hearing Maria’s thoughts in anything other than her own voice(s). I’m a fan so this worked for me, even if it’s a bit thinner than I would have liked. If you’re unfamiliar with the author’s career, this may seem chaotic and indecipherable.
• 
  Amy K

  This was a really interesting and honest look at the ways OCD and intrusive thoughts can start young play out in someone's life. The book is quirky, much like the author's comedy, but I don't think you have to be well acquainted with her repertoire to enjoy her story. Although the topics discussed (disordered eating, anxiety, OCD) are a bummer and could be a trigger to some, the overall tone of the memoir is pretty upbeat.
  
  (I won this advance copy from Gallery Books through a Goodreads giveaway. I'm a winner!)
• 
  Kelly Pramberger

  What a wild read! Humor through tough topics. Bamford is a talented storyteller. I enjoyed reading about her life. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars.
• 
  Johanna

  What was the last book to make you laugh? This was mine!
  
  Never have I laughed so much at mental illness (I say that as someone who struggles with my mental health) and I blame Maria Bramford.
  
  If you loved I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy then READ THIS!
  
  [AD: Thanks to LibroFM for a copy of this audiobook]
  
  SYNOPSIS:
  
  "From “weird, scary, ingenious” ( The New York Times ) stand-up comedian Maria Bamford, a brutally honest and hilariously frenetic memoir about show business, mental health, and the comfort of rigid belief systems—from Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People, to Suzuki violin training, to Richard Simmons, to 12-step programs.
  
  Maria Bamford is a comedian’s comedian (an outsider among outsiders) and has forever fought to find a place to belong. From struggling with an eating disorder as a child of the 1980s to navigating a career in the arts (and medical debt and psychiatric institutionalization), she has tried just about every method possible to not only be a part of the world, but to want to be a part of it..."
  
  
  MY THOUGHTS:
  
  😂 I went into this book completely blind and picked it for free from LibroFM based on the title, the cover and the comedian author.
  
  😂 Maria tells her heartbreaking and heartwarming story in fantastically hysterical prose.
  
  😂 Covering topics of OCD, eating disorders, suicidal thoughts, time spent in psychiatric hospitals, grief and more, you'd think this wasn't a recipe for a laugh-out-loud read - well you'd be wrong!
  
  😂 Maria tackles her life story from childhood to now in a brutally honest and hilarious way and her style is quick-witted, self-deprecating yet poignant.
  
  😂 Maria's story gives an accessible insight into what it's like to live with mental illness, and in her story how to work as a stand-up comedian and in TV when your brain isn't braining.
  
  😂 Whether you are familiar with Bamford or not it matters not one jott! You will be swept up in her story and her quirky way of storytelling.
  
  😂 The audiobook is hands down the best way to read this book, it's structure, narration (by Maria), and sound effects/trigger warnings for readers are all in themselves hilarious!
  
  Make this your next read!
• 
  Courtney Rodgers

  This book is difficult to review because Bamford does share some incredible insights into what living with mental illness is like, but it's also a bit muddled and short. I think this book could have benefitted with more material- it's very short and I wasn't sure that it got the themes across. It seemed to be missing on the "cultic" aspect. Overall, this book seemed about halfway finished to me.
  The audiobook is almost physically painful to listen to. Bamford, a comedian, delivers a very "comedy" style read. There's also a series of obnoxious sound effects that accompany different topics that seem to pop up every few paragraphs.
  
  Special thanks to Libro FM for the review copy
  
  CW: mental illness general, cult-like environments, profanity, diet culture stuff, weight mentions, calorie numbers, bulimia, anorexia, disordered eating, suicidal ideation/ attempts, intrusive thoughts, OCD, anxiety, medical content, vomit, violence against child, Christianity mentions, homophobia mentions, Alzheimer's mention, alcoholism mention, child sexual abuse mentions, child neglect mention, food descriptions, trichotillomania, body dysmorphia, sexual content, suicide description, bipolar disorder, accidental death of pet, ptsd, murder of George Floyd mention
• 
  Lia Rowland

  I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway!! I had not heard of Maria Bamford before, but I thought the cover and title of the book look intriguing as well as funny. It turns out, Maria is a comedian and is quite funny (at least I thought so while reading her book)... she also is a pug owner and lover, so how could I not like her! In this book, she is very candid about her experiences with mental illness and shares her fears, failures, and successes. She says at the beginning that she wrote this book so others that have had similar experiences to her own would know they are not alone. Some of her stories, I was definitely laughing out loud to, but sometimes she has the tendency to ramble or go off on tangents. And she has a love of using ALL CAPS for emphasis, which I'm not really used to seeing so many times on one page. I think this would probably be an excellent audiobook with Maria's own voice.
• 
  Sharon M

  Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Gallery Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this non-fiction book by comedian Maria Bamford - 4.5 stars rounded up!
  
  Maria has been dealing with a lot since childhood - OCD, eating disorders, debt issues, relationship issues, career issues. She has tried about every possible way to help herself, including many 12-step programs and psychiatric institution. She holds nothing back in this book and is brutally honest about her own struggles and the systemic troubles with the mental health crisis in this country - and all by being herself and hilarious.
  
  Mental health issues are such a taboo in our conversations and thought processes, leaving those suffering with not only their issues but the attached stigma. Let's hope this book takes away some of that. We are all dealing with something and we need to be able to be kinder and more accepting of each other. This book is both hilarious and important - don't miss it!