Preview
  • Sure, I'll Join Your Cult

  • A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere
  • By: Maria Bamford
  • Narrated by: Maria Bamford
  • Length: 7 hrs and 40 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,130 ratings)

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Sure, I'll Join Your Cult

By: Maria Bamford
Narrated by: Maria Bamford
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Publisher's summary

From “weird, scary, ingenious” (The New York Times) stand-up comedian Maria Bamford, an instant New York Times bestselling, brutally honest, and “laugh-out-loud funny” (Jennette McCurdy, #1 New York Times bestselling author) 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 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.

In Bamford’s “trademark blend of disarming intimacy and dark whimsy” (Publishers Weekly), Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult brings us on a quest to participate in something. With sincerity and transparency, she recounts every anonymous fellowship she has joined (including but not limited to: Debtors Anonymous, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, and Overeaters Anonymous), every hypomanic episode (from worrying about selling out under capitalism to enforcing union rules on her Netflix TV show set to protect her health), and every easy 1-to-3-step recipe for fudge in between.

Packed with “Bamford’s brilliance, relentless humor, and insatiable instinct for survival (Library Journal), this memoir explores what it means to keep going, and to be a member of society (or any group she’s invited to) despite not being very good at it. In turn, she hopes to transform isolating experiences into comedy that will make you feel less alone (without turning into a cult following).

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Maria Bamford (P)2023 Simon & Schuster Audio
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Editorial Review

A humorous and painful path to self-love
Comedian and actress Maria Bamford ( Lady Dynamite, Teenage Euthanasia) has tried everything—12-step programs, How to Win Friends and Influence People, even Richard Simmons—to heal from trauma, manage her mental illnesses, and find a place in the world. In this candid memoir, Bamford invites listeners into her inner life battling the intrusive thoughts brought on by her OCD, making peace with past versions of herself, and navigating a tumultuous journey to self-acceptance. As emotionally challenging as her story is to listen to at times, make no mistake—this listen is masterfully designed for audio enjoyment with a unique soundscape and Bamford’s talented voice acting. —Rachael X., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Sure, I'll Join Your Cult

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Maria is my copilot

From the only comedian who could keep me free of intrusive thoughts for a full set, comes a handy bedside companion to my otherwise difficult (if not externally dramatic) life. Hearing her read her book is endlessly delightful and soon I will have a printed version to cling to during the rough seas that accompany any relationship (that I am in). Thank you again Maria, for teaching me that I am not alone and there is room for me in the world.

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Moving, hilarious, extremely worth your time

So glad to have had the audio experience of this book! I’ve loved Maria’s comedy and wisdom for 20 years, and I’m a huge fan of Lady Dynamite, so no surprise that I really enjoyed this as well. It’s a generous, candid, bonkers exploration of the things that shape us: family, creative purpose, love, work, health, and humor (other stuff too, but this text box is getting full). Familiarity with her previous work isn’t required— I wish I’d had this book when I was starting to understand the role of mental health in art.

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A big fan!

I love the sound of Maria's "voices"! (That's all I really wanted to say, but there is a 15 word minimum.)

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An absolute pleasure

Maria Bamford is generous, raw, and hilarious. I appreciate her honesty and I can’t recommend another memoir higher than this. This was absolutely fantastic. I cried and laughed and listened to pets of it several times.

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Brilliant. Hilarious. Poignant.

Best audio book I’ve ever listened to—really magnificent. I highly recommend this audiobook memoir.

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Grat book

Love Maria Bamford her book is awesome. I laughed out loud and was happy she narrated.

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Listened to it all in one day!

I am already a fan, from Lady Dynamite- but this really shines with authenticity and generous honesty. I love her even more now.

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Very funny and VERY Maria Bamford

Ms. Bamford is a unique voice in the comedic world and this memoir is no different. It's very funny and she manages to make even the lowest parts of her life funny without taking away the seriousness. I love her and want nothing but the best for her.

(If you happen to read this, Maria: Don't park illegally today, okay?)

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Not Dead?! Well Done!!

How could anyone possibly get a memoir of Maria's without wanting to hear her read it?

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I'm a Fan for Good Reason

This whole thing is a content warning: eating disorder, mental illness, suicidality. What's remarkable is how the author deals with these topics with a stunning sense of honesty and humor. And she is rightly famous for her voices and impressions, making the narration exceptionally good. I am definitely a fan of Maria Bamford.

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