What The Hell Is Normal?!

Description

What do you do when you're labelled abnormal in a world obsessed with normality? In a world where wrinkles are practically illegal, going bald is cause for mental breakdown, and women over size ten are encouraged to shoot themselves, what the **** do you do if you're, gasp ...disabled? Francesca was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when she was two years old and her parents were gravely told that she would never lead a 'normal' life. After a happy childhood filled with tree climbing, mischief and little regard for her bit of palsy, Francesca arrived at high school with a confidence verging on indestructible, only to be turned into a miserable and insecure wreck. Luckily for her, salvation came from Grange Hill, a stand-up comedy workshop, and a passionate love affair replete with scintillating conversation. After one particularly mind-blowing chat, Francesca realised she had the power to stop judging herself by society's unhealthy standards and create her own. So she did. This powerful new perspective changed her entire life forever. Whatever body you're born into, the pressure to be 'Normal' is everywhere. But have you ever met a normal person? What do they look like? Where do they live? What do they eat for breakfast? And what the **** does normal mean anyway? What the **** is Normal? is a very funny, very moving celebration and exploration of learning to be happy with who you are. Neither an autobiography nor a self-help book, it's a powerful and political call-to-arms that rails against the relentless media bombardment of what is culturally perceived as 'normal'. Francesca equipped herself with the tools to stick two shaky fingers up to society's unrealistic and damaging expectations, and with this book, she hopes to help more people to do the same. The Wobbly Revolution Starts Here.

Promotion info

The debut book by award-winning comedian Francesca Martinez that asks: 'What the **** is Normal?!'

Reviews

"Her observations and perspective are unique and powerful. This is a funny, compassionate and inspiring story of how 'being different' can become, with the right attitude, an unlikely advantage. Also, it's bloody funny and touching" Russell Brand "A cheerful optimistic belly-laugh broadside at prejudice and a wonderful testament to the power of "being funny", I love Francesca Martinez" Steve Coogan "A wonderful read! Warm, funny and unforgettable" Jonathan Ross

Author description

Multi-award-winning Francesca Martinez is the first and only woman to win the Open Mic Award at the Edinburgh Festival, and has since become one of the top comedians of her generation. As well as touring internationally with sell-out runs around the world, Francesca is a TV and radio regular, making popular appearances on such varied programmes as The News Quiz, Russell Howard's Good News, The Jonathan Ross Show, The Frank Skinner Show, Ricky Gervais's Extras (in a role written specially for her), Newsnight, This Week, Free Speech (where she was voted most popular guest) and Channel 4 News. Currently, Francesca is in the middle of a 55-date UK/Ireland tour of her award-winning show, also called 'WHAT THE **** IS NORMAL?!', which has just been nominated for Best Show at Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival 2013 - the UK's largest comedy festival.