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Say It Again In A Nice Voice
Meg Mason is not ready to laugh about any of this yet, but that doesn't mean you can't ... A hilarious memoir of coming to grips with motherhood, from one of Australia's funniest writers.
'Mothers. those women with purses the size of meat trays that hold an entire deck of school portrait photos and a chequebook, make a casserole without a recipe, make the tightest bed you'll ever sleep in and only swear under extreme duress. How, how, would I go from me to that?'
At 24, Meg Mason was newly married to a man 'essentially indistinguishable from a young Matt Damon' after landing her dream job, writing for the times in London. What could possibly go wrong? A holiday in Greece, an accidental shortage of birth control, and eight months later she was sobbing on the side of a road over trading her career for something she knew zip about.
On October 8, 2003, she invented motherhood by Having A Baby. On October 9, she discovered a bunch of women had done that already. But still they couldn't tell her how to do it. Thanks to a helpful neighbour, she knew that convincing a newborn to take a bottle by letting it lick a Dorito first to 'get more thirsty' didn't always work, but not what to do when your child won't sleep for roughly two years in London or in Sydney, or how to remove your hand from a stroller - after you've superglued it to the handle. Hair-raising, terrifying and hilariously funny, along the way she discovers that being a mother, however disaster-prone, just might be the only thing that she is truly irreplaceable at.
'Mason is a comic natural, her admissions of ignorance are achingly funny and provide a tonic for anyone feeling the struggle' Better Homes & Gardens
'In between the amusing anecdotes, the author grapples with issues that many women will identify with - work, relationships and family life - with warmth and honesty.' Courier Mail
'Mothers. those women with purses the size of meat trays that hold an entire deck of school portrait photos and a chequebook, make a casserole without a recipe, make the tightest bed you'll ever sleep in and only swear under extreme duress. How, how, would I go from me to that?'
At 24, Meg Mason was newly married to a man 'essentially indistinguishable from a young Matt Damon' after landing her dream job, writing for the times in London. What could possibly go wrong? A holiday in Greece, an accidental shortage of birth control, and eight months later she was sobbing on the side of a road over trading her career for something she knew zip about.
On October 8, 2003, she invented motherhood by Having A Baby. On October 9, she discovered a bunch of women had done that already. But still they couldn't tell her how to do it. Thanks to a helpful neighbour, she knew that convincing a newborn to take a bottle by letting it lick a Dorito first to 'get more thirsty' didn't always work, but not what to do when your child won't sleep for roughly two years in London or in Sydney, or how to remove your hand from a stroller - after you've superglued it to the handle. Hair-raising, terrifying and hilariously funny, along the way she discovers that being a mother, however disaster-prone, just might be the only thing that she is truly irreplaceable at.
'Mason is a comic natural, her admissions of ignorance are achingly funny and provide a tonic for anyone feeling the struggle' Better Homes & Gardens
'In between the amusing anecdotes, the author grapples with issues that many women will identify with - work, relationships and family life - with warmth and honesty.' Courier Mail
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2012
108 people are currently reading
3268 people want to read
About the author
Meg Mason
8 books1,945 followersMeg Mason began her career at the Financial Times and The Times of London. Her work has since appeared in The Sunday Times, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Sunday Telegraph. She has written humour for The New Yorker and Sunday STYLE, was a GQ columnist for five years and a regular contributor to Vogue, marie claire, and ELLE.
Her first book Say It Again in a Nice Voice (HarperCollins), a memoir of early motherhood, was published in 2012. Her novel You Be Mother (HarperCollins) followed in 2017. She lives in Sydney.
Her first book Say It Again in a Nice Voice (HarperCollins), a memoir of early motherhood, was published in 2012. Her novel You Be Mother (HarperCollins) followed in 2017. She lives in Sydney.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
March 1, 2023
This memoir by Meg Mason is of her pre and early years of motherhood, first in London, then in Sydney. I can see the basis for her first novel 'You Be Mother' where a young woman arriving in Sydney with a yery young daughter and trying to cope, luckily with a friendly older neighbour, who helps her.
Sometimes fraught (including a three week trip to an orphanage in Russia with her husband and two girls under five), sometime funny, sometime very funny, but always spot on with many shared mother experiences. 4 stars
Sometimes fraught (including a three week trip to an orphanage in Russia with her husband and two girls under five), sometime funny, sometime very funny, but always spot on with many shared mother experiences. 4 stars
July 22, 2012
I think I wrote this book. I am sure that I wrote this book.
This is the story of motherhood. It follows a young woman from late pregnancy through to the fifth birthday of her second daughter. The author has this amazing ability to capture the truth. She peels off the layers and manages to tell anecdotes that capture all of your emotions. I kept highlighting, and giggling, and burying my head in the book to muffle my screams of "yes yes yes".
I kept passing the book to my husband saying things like "see I am not the only person to get shitty at a husband for wearing shoes when the kids are asleep".
A well-written, honest, funny story about a woman coming to terms with the difficulties and loneliness of being a mum. I have read books like this before, (Hear Me Roar comes to mind) that leave me feeling depressed and hopeless. What I loved about this one is that somehow it made me feel like it was all going to be okay. This woman was telling all the horror stories of parenting in a way that made me know that she thought it was all worth it, even though she never really jammed that message down my throat. It was as if her writing style sent me that message. She was looking back and laughing, I would one day look back and laugh.
I am dropping this book around to my closest mummy buddy. There is a whole chapter that expresses the thrill of meeting that amazing friend who is exactly like you. I wanted to write in the margins "this is you", but I was too busy juggling a baby to hold a pen.
5 stars and I am recommending this book to all my mum friends.
ETA: My aforementioned friend loved it and read it twice before handing it back. We now regularly quote it to each other.
This is the story of motherhood. It follows a young woman from late pregnancy through to the fifth birthday of her second daughter. The author has this amazing ability to capture the truth. She peels off the layers and manages to tell anecdotes that capture all of your emotions. I kept highlighting, and giggling, and burying my head in the book to muffle my screams of "yes yes yes".
I kept passing the book to my husband saying things like "see I am not the only person to get shitty at a husband for wearing shoes when the kids are asleep".
A well-written, honest, funny story about a woman coming to terms with the difficulties and loneliness of being a mum. I have read books like this before, (Hear Me Roar comes to mind) that leave me feeling depressed and hopeless. What I loved about this one is that somehow it made me feel like it was all going to be okay. This woman was telling all the horror stories of parenting in a way that made me know that she thought it was all worth it, even though she never really jammed that message down my throat. It was as if her writing style sent me that message. She was looking back and laughing, I would one day look back and laugh.
I am dropping this book around to my closest mummy buddy. There is a whole chapter that expresses the thrill of meeting that amazing friend who is exactly like you. I wanted to write in the margins "this is you", but I was too busy juggling a baby to hold a pen.
5 stars and I am recommending this book to all my mum friends.
ETA: My aforementioned friend loved it and read it twice before handing it back. We now regularly quote it to each other.
March 2, 2021
After Sorrow and Bliss I had to go back and read every word Meg Mason has ever published. Thankfully @harpercollinsaustralia is re-releasing her hilarious memoirs.
September 8, 2022
A bit of a change from my usual genres, but had read good things. This memoir, as they are in a stretching the truth sort of way, of motherhood is relatable and amusing in its delivery, with things that really hit home (trying to find your tribe amongst the varieties on offer at the baby group meetings, for example), and the brutal honesty of having a kid that you don’t quite gel with (thankfully, I didn’t), and the ache of going back to work. Meg Mason’s keen eye dissects the strata - the workers and the SaHMs, the renters and the owners etc, all with a side serving of cynicism and humour. Really enjoyed this, snickered at bits in it, related to some of it, and even learned a bit - things that perhaps would’ve been of use when I was in that world.
Would certainly read another in the same vein.
Would certainly read another in the same vein.
November 6, 2021
Say It Again in a Nice Voice - Meg Mason
It’s no secret that I’m Meg Mason’s biggest fan. I adore her humour and think she is ordinarily brilliant, dry, witty, sarcastic and clever. This book is her autobiography published in 2012 - long before both of her novels.
She speaks of motherhood- a time where her search for everyday fulfilment, purpose and friendship becomes a top priority (along with her kids of course) while her career comes to a temporary halt.
In true Meg Mason fashion- She is candid and brutally honest about everything. There is plenty of exaggerated realism, where she blows up about every minor inconvenience in a humorous and sometimes cringe worthy way.
I had been savouring reading this book with the knowledge I would have no more Meg left to read once I finished this. What pushed me to read it now was listening to the How to Fail Podcast where Elizabeth Day was interviewing Meg Mason. It was such a great episode and they are both brilliant to listen to. Meg talks about this book very openly and explains the ‘deep shame’ she feels about this book and how she doesn’t even own a copy of it or have it distributed in the UK anymore. She claimed it didn’t age well and you can tell she is quite embarrassed about it.
I think listening to this before reading the book helped me acknowledge the privilege within the pages and move forward with the knowledge that Meg has addressed this herself. And to be honest I kept forgetting it was non fiction. It easily reads like fiction and I seen a lot of Martha (Sorrow & Bliss) and Abi (You Be Mother) reflected in these pages.
I love that she normalises not having your shit together and being a rounded pleasant, lovey dovey human all the time. She loves going off on a tangent is unapologetically selfish at times because she knows that self preservation and just getting by is key.
I am sure I am one of many readers who can see a bit of themselves in her writing.
Highly recommend (alongside the podcast episode mentioned above)!!
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It’s no secret that I’m Meg Mason’s biggest fan. I adore her humour and think she is ordinarily brilliant, dry, witty, sarcastic and clever. This book is her autobiography published in 2012 - long before both of her novels.
She speaks of motherhood- a time where her search for everyday fulfilment, purpose and friendship becomes a top priority (along with her kids of course) while her career comes to a temporary halt.
In true Meg Mason fashion- She is candid and brutally honest about everything. There is plenty of exaggerated realism, where she blows up about every minor inconvenience in a humorous and sometimes cringe worthy way.
I had been savouring reading this book with the knowledge I would have no more Meg left to read once I finished this. What pushed me to read it now was listening to the How to Fail Podcast where Elizabeth Day was interviewing Meg Mason. It was such a great episode and they are both brilliant to listen to. Meg talks about this book very openly and explains the ‘deep shame’ she feels about this book and how she doesn’t even own a copy of it or have it distributed in the UK anymore. She claimed it didn’t age well and you can tell she is quite embarrassed about it.
I think listening to this before reading the book helped me acknowledge the privilege within the pages and move forward with the knowledge that Meg has addressed this herself. And to be honest I kept forgetting it was non fiction. It easily reads like fiction and I seen a lot of Martha (Sorrow & Bliss) and Abi (You Be Mother) reflected in these pages.
I love that she normalises not having your shit together and being a rounded pleasant, lovey dovey human all the time. She loves going off on a tangent is unapologetically selfish at times because she knows that self preservation and just getting by is key.
I am sure I am one of many readers who can see a bit of themselves in her writing.
Highly recommend (alongside the podcast episode mentioned above)!!
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 25, 2018
I really wanted to like this book. I loved the author’s novel You Be Mother. Three stars because the book was really funny, and Mason perfectly captured the repetition of putting the same kid on the same swing in the same park 5 times a week. Minus 2 stars because, like others, I found the author kind of catty and blind to her own privilege. I’m surprised an editor didn’t suggest softening the description of ‘slack faced, grey haired mothers with varicose veins and IVF twins’ among others. The author did seem to soften towards the end, which makes me think her hardness was due to a deep unhappiness in the trying toddler years.
January 11, 2023
Well written and very funny in parts, but also super judgemental. I've loved both her other books and I still think she's an excellent writer, but I couldn't warm to this one as much as the fiction books.
September 19, 2012
It's been a while since I've bestowed a five star rating but this book is defintely worth it. You know how people claim books to be "laugh out loud funny"... in reality I reckon I've laughed out loud (not just on the inside) while reading very very few times. Sure you might find something quite witty and amusing but to make you actually burst out into an audible fit of giggles, that writer really has to be something else.
Meg Mason is definitely something else, and despite the synopsis suggesting otherwise, this is definitely not your average run of the mill, chick lit-mummy memoir.
One of the three or four passages which made me lose it was her description of being in the birth suite with no.2, which made its appearance unexpectedly quickly. "To have a baby without noticing - that is a gift only the young and exceptionally loose of pelvis can hope for in this life, but reader, I was *that* loose." - p 166
Mason is simultaneously ordinary and endearing whilst being one of the most outrageously good writers I've ever read. I actually can't come up with enough superlatives to capture how I feel about her prose. Every line is so tight, sentence structure so clever, her imagery and observations hilarious and original. And yet, I can't hate her for it because the woman's obviously been right in the trenches with all the rest of us - talented or no.
I don't know what else to say; it's a pearler. 5 Champoo corks!
Meg Mason is definitely something else, and despite the synopsis suggesting otherwise, this is definitely not your average run of the mill, chick lit-mummy memoir.
One of the three or four passages which made me lose it was her description of being in the birth suite with no.2, which made its appearance unexpectedly quickly. "To have a baby without noticing - that is a gift only the young and exceptionally loose of pelvis can hope for in this life, but reader, I was *that* loose." - p 166
Mason is simultaneously ordinary and endearing whilst being one of the most outrageously good writers I've ever read. I actually can't come up with enough superlatives to capture how I feel about her prose. Every line is so tight, sentence structure so clever, her imagery and observations hilarious and original. And yet, I can't hate her for it because the woman's obviously been right in the trenches with all the rest of us - talented or no.
I don't know what else to say; it's a pearler. 5 Champoo corks!
August 29, 2021
After absolutely loving Sorrow and Bliss I was eager to read more of Meg Masons books. Unfortunately a casually homophobic passage about a gay coworker in one of the first chapters of this book really put me off. From then on it was hard to sympathize with the author’s unhappiness about living in tiny rentals, refusing to take her babies on public transport because germs, and hating the flat she bought after her brother leant her the money. The writing was still very funny, and I found much of it relatable, but it was hard to get past the judgey, elitist attitude
November 1, 2012
Meg Mason had me at her dedication. For the Magnets. I loved this book so much that by the time I got to the end, I wished I was one of her magnets.
Say It Again In A Nice Voice makes you want to read it again and again in any voice. Because either you've had children and you can relate to every perfectly chosen word or unfortunate moment OR you know funny when you see funny in print form. Meg Mason is funny. David Sedaris/Anne Lamott/Caitlin Moran funny. But not without substance. This book is full of poignant moments and endless charm. You cannot read this book and not fall in love with Meg Mason. It's impossible.
Lucky magnets.
Say It Again In A Nice Voice makes you want to read it again and again in any voice. Because either you've had children and you can relate to every perfectly chosen word or unfortunate moment OR you know funny when you see funny in print form. Meg Mason is funny. David Sedaris/Anne Lamott/Caitlin Moran funny. But not without substance. This book is full of poignant moments and endless charm. You cannot read this book and not fall in love with Meg Mason. It's impossible.
Lucky magnets.
August 10, 2012
Meg Mason, I hope you read these reviews, because I want to thank you for your wonderful book. Being a Mum to very young children is a tough gig. Your raw and humorous book cemented the fact that things do indeed get easier...and made me feel like less of a ninny for finding it all so hard at times!
August 23, 2012
Took me a bit to get into it but once i did it was an enjoyable read, although it put me off having anymore children lol. The style of writing drove me batty at times but all in all, it was good. There are definitely some funny moments and alot all mothers can relate to ! :)
September 15, 2012
This is THE mummy memoir by which all others should be judged. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Meg Mason, I will read anything you write. You have climbed into my body and lived my life. Bravo.
September 5, 2012
I really wanted to love this book, but I had a love hate relationship with it. Laugh out loud funny in spots, and frustrating filler in others
August 1, 2017
I found this fairly hit & miss. Certainly some very funny parts, but she often came across as pretentious & quite nasty which really grated on me. I wouldn't read it again
January 16, 2022
I’m pregnant and preparing for motherhood by reading memoirs on how tiring it is. I was hoping for some solid advice, but Meg Mason went off on a rant in this one. This amusing yet tedious rant kept me wondering why I didn’t pick up A Life’s Work by Rachel Cusk instead. Mason’s novel, Sorrow and Bliss earned her some serious brownie points, but this memoir was too much and not enough. I walked away with one great tip for self-soothing though:
“Another friend found that driving laps around the city playing 50 Cent’s ‘That Ain’t Gangsta’ as loud as the car stereo will go and shouting ‘Mummy can’t hear you, Mummy can’t hear you’ at her anxious children in the back was an effective means of self-soothing in the preschool years.”
“Another friend found that driving laps around the city playing 50 Cent’s ‘That Ain’t Gangsta’ as loud as the car stereo will go and shouting ‘Mummy can’t hear you, Mummy can’t hear you’ at her anxious children in the back was an effective means of self-soothing in the preschool years.”
August 14, 2025
Thought I was done with reading 'mummy memoirs' (actually, not sure I was ever that into them... anyway...) but Meg Mason is so funny and I made an exception for this memoir.
Mason begins her story at age 24, when she was newly married to a man '...essentially indistinguishable from a young Matt Damon...'. They decided to move to London when she landed her dream job writing for The Times, however, a surprise baby disrupts their plans. Ultimately, they return to Australia, have another baby, and settle into suburban life.
This may sound unremarkable but I enjoyed Mason's humorous account of things that had also absorbed my life twenty years ago - basically the relentlessness, frustrations and joys that come with babies and toddlers. But Mason really won me with her observations of the small stuff, particularly the naming of playgrounds. Our local park was known to my kids as The Massive Slide Park (because it had a really long slide) - it's actual name was Victoria Park - one example of dozens where our experiences were similar. I think if I'd met Mason at the playground, we would have been best buddies :-)
3.5/5
Mason begins her story at age 24, when she was newly married to a man '...essentially indistinguishable from a young Matt Damon...'. They decided to move to London when she landed her dream job writing for The Times, however, a surprise baby disrupts their plans. Ultimately, they return to Australia, have another baby, and settle into suburban life.
This may sound unremarkable but I enjoyed Mason's humorous account of things that had also absorbed my life twenty years ago - basically the relentlessness, frustrations and joys that come with babies and toddlers. But Mason really won me with her observations of the small stuff, particularly the naming of playgrounds. Our local park was known to my kids as The Massive Slide Park (because it had a really long slide) - it's actual name was Victoria Park - one example of dozens where our experiences were similar. I think if I'd met Mason at the playground, we would have been best buddies :-)
3.5/5
October 16, 2018
It has been a very long time since I have read any book (not just of this genre, but of any genre) that is as well-written, entertaining, enlightening and insightful as this absolute gem from Meg Mason. I'm not a mother myself but am still well entrenched in that world, and was continually impressed at how she managed to perfectly articulate the myriad new scenarios women face once we step on the irreversible journey that is motherhood.
She is delightfully candid, hilariously self-deprecating, self-searching, intelligent, and above all an exceptional writer.
On more than one occasion I found myself phoning my sister in order to read aloud yet another of her brilliant, laugh-out-loud anecdotes.
I sincerely hope Meg has a second book in the making as once word gets out about this one (though it may have already, judging by the 17 people on the waiting list for this book at my local library) it will surely have created a huge fan base eagerly awaiting more.
She is delightfully candid, hilariously self-deprecating, self-searching, intelligent, and above all an exceptional writer.
On more than one occasion I found myself phoning my sister in order to read aloud yet another of her brilliant, laugh-out-loud anecdotes.
I sincerely hope Meg has a second book in the making as once word gets out about this one (though it may have already, judging by the 17 people on the waiting list for this book at my local library) it will surely have created a huge fan base eagerly awaiting more.
February 13, 2018
I relate to so much in this! Trying desperately to find my tribe of mum friends (when 3 of my best all left the city we were living in at the same time), the broke years (which continue...), the shall I go back to work dilemma...though I am still waiting to be flattered back into fulltime work. I related to this book so much that in a Whatsapp chat with the aforementioned tribe of mum friends (now scattered across the country and world) I recommended it to them no less than 3 times. In a row. Meg Mason please write another book if you are not already doing so....
August 5, 2012
Awesome book! A funny, honest and terrifying look at motherhood. This book should be read by any woman thinking of taking the plunge, and every new or newish mum. The first to prepare you slightly for what's about to hit you with the force of a speeding train. The latter, so you can take a look at your life through the eyes of someone who is really good at describing it. As a new mum, I found this book very accurate and amazingly entertaining. Thank you Meg!
September 17, 2012
I only read 2 chapters of this book as it had to go back to the library. There was nothing wrong with the writing, which was clever, but it's not my sort of book - the author came across as a spoilt brat and the style seemed shrill and forced. (Quite unlike Bringing up Bebe, which I liked). So it has gone back to the library without regret.
August 12, 2012
The writing was frustrating at times, but I'm sure that every mother could relate to at least part of this book. I laughed out loud at so many of her stories - a recommended read.
Just a short review - I have so much jobs! Hahaha.
March 26, 2016
To say that I could relate would be an understatement. Such a great read.
April 26, 2024
I’ve read Meg Mason’s book in the following order: You Be Mother, Sorrow and Bliss, and lastly SIAIANV. I have loved each of them but this was my personal favourite. If you’re a mother, this is a must read. I laughed out loud and felt like my own life was being described and predicted. Mason writes about so many parenthood and adulthood experiences in a way that remind you that your problems are the same as everyone else’s.
July 6, 2022
I don’t know if it the fact I’m currently on maternity leave or I just love Meg Mason and the way she writes, but this book resonates with me so much. Couldn’t put it down and finished over three days and really warmed the heart with several chuckles along the way
November 23, 2023
Full of the Meg Mason humour that I love so much, this is very well-written and I'm sure it would be super-relatable to anyone with young kids (or memories of raising young kids).
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Free with Prime Reading.
May 30, 2024
Not Meg Mason’s best work. I read Sorrow and Bliss twice, and it’s incredible. This was disappointing funny throughout - which some people loved - but to me, it lacked the sensitivity and depth of her other novels.
June 7, 2022
I started this in late January so it’s safe to say I struggled. Not so much the book or writing but just not able to engage with it.
December 24, 2022
SO REAL, i would read anything by meg mason, even if it was an obituary!
April 13, 2023
A honest and funny insight into the life of a modern day mother. So easily relatable!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews