The Funny Thing About Death

The Funny Thing About Death

A comedian learns her sister has cancer right before walking on stage—and finds laughter the only way through.

About the Ebook

'It's a wildly satisfying and moving read ... I loved this special book' – Graham Norton Six years ago, Jo Caulfield was about to go on stage when she found out that her big sister Annie had cancer. Not the best way to start a nationwide comedy tour. But the tour turns out to be a welcome distraction for both sisters. As Jo reports back from various hotels and service stations, they revisit their childhood and adolescence while navigating Annie's illness, learning through trial and error how to behave when someone you love gets sick.

The Funny Thing About Death is a hilarious memoir of two unconventional girls growing up in the 1970s. They didn't fit in at the Air Force bases they were raised on or the strict convent boarding school they were sent to. The Air Force was obsessed with communists and the nuns were obsessed with the Virgin Mary, neither of which were of interest to Jo or Annie. Annie was witty, spiky and greedy for life, rushing to be 'interesting' and experience adventures. She travelled the world and became a screenwriter and broadcaster. Jo was equally rebellious but didn't have a plan. She just wanted to be interesting like her big sister and thought it might involve eyeliner, smoking and being in a band. Like her stand-up, Jo Caulfield's caustic wit and razor-sharp observations make her account of life with her sister, even in the worst of times, as entertaining as it is touching and relatable.

Why You'll Love This Ebook

• A hilarious, moving memoir praised by Graham Norton as 'wildly satisfying'
• Two unconventional sisters revisit their unruly 1970s childhood
• Caustic wit and razor-sharp observation make grief unexpectedly entertaining
• Read another celebrated title from Polygon - an imprint of Birlinn Ltd

Reviews

'It's a wildly satisfying and moving read... I loved this special book.' Graham Norton

'Profound and very funny... full of brilliantly observational material... extraordinary.' Mail on Sunday

'This book conveys the awfulness of grief, but Caulfield's admiration for Annie makes an even greater impression... Caulfield speaks perceptively about the intricate nature of mourning.' Times Literary Supplement

About the Author

Jo Caulfield was born in Wales to Irish parents, raised in England and now lives in Scotland. She is an award-winning comedian, most recently winning the Comedians' Comedian award in 2021. Jo has performed stand-up comedy all over the world and is renowned for her sellout shows at the Edinburgh Festival.Her TV credits include appearances on Have I Got News For You, Mock the Week, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, The Royal Variety Show, Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow and Richard Osman's House of Games, and she has written and starred in several series of her own on Radio 4.'Sharp witted urban comedy that goes down a treat. Like a sociology textbook but with jokes' – The Times'Jo delivers an hour of rock-solid stand-up, with flashes of viciousness that particularly delight the room' – British Comedy Guide

Publication Details

Publisher: Polygon (an imprint of Birlinn Ltd)

Publication Date: 03 August 2023

Print Length: 288 pages (Ebook edition)

ISBN (Ebook): 9781788855914

Format: Ebook

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