Joyful Recollections of Trauma

De: Paul Scheer

Narrado por: Paul Scheer

From award-winning actor and comedian Paul Scheer, a candid and hilarious memoir-in-essays on coming to terms with childhood trauma and finding the joy in embracing your authentic self, featuring content exclusive to the audio edition, including excerpts from live shows and audio clips from home movies.

Paul Scheer has entertained countless fans and podcast listeners with stories about the odd, wild, and absurd details of his life. Yet these tales have pointed to deeper, more difficult truths that the actor and comedian has kept to himself. Now, he is finally ready to share those truths for the first time—but, of course, with a healthy dose of humor.

Blending the confident, affable voice that has won him a dedicated following with a refreshing level of candor, Joyful Recollections of Trauma chronicles Paul’s often shocking, admittedly tumultuous childhood and how the experiences of his youth have reverberated throughout his life. In his comedy, Paul has always been unafraid to “go there,” to play naïve, cringeworthy characters, imbuing them with disarming charm and humanity. That daring openness is on display in this memoir, but in true Paul fashion, it is also surprising, eye-opening, and side-splitting.

In this madcap journey through the inner working of his mind and creative process, Paul Scheer demonstrates once again that the truth is often stranger—and funnier—than fiction. Joyful Recollections of Trauma offers a unique perspective on universal themes: growing up, working through a challenging childhood, staying true to yourself, and finding success, fulfillment, and happiness in often strange and difficult circumstances. Throughout, Paul shares both the hard-fought lessons and the laughter that can be found in the darkest parts of life, and reminds us that what matters is not what you’ve been through but who you are becoming. If you loved recent memoirs by Molly Shannon, Maria Bamford, RuPaul, and Jennette McCurdy—or any book that moves you to both laughter and tears—Joyful Recollections of Trauma is the perfect listen for you.

©2024 Paul Scheer (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

great book

Paul's stories are funny, heartwarming and gut wrenching! A great listen to hear these stories directly from him.

If you need a second opinion, Five Stars!

Paul Scheer is a one-of-a-kind human being and a multifaceted talent for sure. I really connected with this work of art and listened straight through. Genuine, vulnerable, and hilarious! A must listen or read.

Great stories well told

Bought book as a fan of how did this get made. Didn’t disappoint. Great stories funnily told with depth.

Hilarious and human

Great performance from the author, unsurprising from an actor and podcaster. The stories themselves felt raw and honest. And Paul takes these stories and not only weaves brilliant comedy with them, but also proves time and again that life is amazing and nothing is to be gained by dwelling on the harsh past other than to learn from it, good and bad, and move forward.

GEOSTORM!

LOVE! ❤️

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the clips from the podcast! I’m sure Paul has a ton more stories so I hope he writes another book. 😎

Hilarious and poignant

Paul Scheer knocks it out of the park. Whether you know him from HDTGM, The League, or are just stumbling across this book, you’ll find lots to love!

Would definitely recommend for people who have had to overcome various traumas or issues from their youth.

Paul’s struggles and insight into what he had to deal with growing up helps me to also reflect on issues and incidents that I have spent my life trying to overcome.

Touching, vulnerable, relatable, funny

Thank you, Paul, for this sweet labor of love and honesty. You bridge the divide between celebrity and fans naturally and deftly. Your thorough and specific thank yous at the end were touching. Your audience benefits from your generous sharing of your life lessons and encouragement of healthy processing.
People who have followed the HDTGM podcast will love this book. It may be difficult to follow references without at least a summary background research. Do yourself a favor, though - go ahead and start listening to How Did This Get Made for a few months then return for this book.

HDTGM full heart

I have never written a review before but this book written by a comedian whom I absolutely adore has made me laugh cry and feel seen. Paul’s stories and the way he goes about telling them went down so smooth and had so much genuine emotion and heart. I absolutely recommend this book “ 5 stars!”

Is surprisingly honest, moving and funny.

Paul describes his harrowing relationship with his stepfather really well. It is heartbreaking stuff to hear—and is a genuine surprise for anyone who is familiar with his work or his podcast, because this is territory he has never been this open about before.

His performance is great, there are fun extras in the audiobook, and despite the traumatic moments, he does a great job capturing joy as well (oh and BTW, the book is also funny)

All in all, a very grounded, moving book.