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Broken Biscuits: And Other Male Failures
Witty, tender and daring essays from the British David Sedaris
'A lovely writer: supple, stylish and almost effortlessly witty.' Daily Mail
'A bold new voice in nonfiction writing.' Jenn Ashworth
When it comes to the challenge of being a man, Adam Farrer always seems to find a way to fall short…
Broken Biscuits vividly recounts Adam’s struggles to live up to masculine expectations, real or imagined. From the calamity of his first serious relationship to an obsession with Prince that sees everyone questioning his sexuality, and from the repercussions of his adult circumcision to his doubts about his ability to survive the apocalypse, this candid and personal collection of essays is astonishingly far-reaching and riotously funny.
Holding up a mirror to Adam’s own body image, his relationship with his family, his sense of self-worth and the mortifying experience of arriving at a teenage party wearing strawberry-patterned short shorts, this book is about growing up and trying to define yourself as a man but somehow always missing the mark.
'A lovely writer: supple, stylish and almost effortlessly witty.' Daily Mail
'A bold new voice in nonfiction writing.' Jenn Ashworth
When it comes to the challenge of being a man, Adam Farrer always seems to find a way to fall short…
Broken Biscuits vividly recounts Adam’s struggles to live up to masculine expectations, real or imagined. From the calamity of his first serious relationship to an obsession with Prince that sees everyone questioning his sexuality, and from the repercussions of his adult circumcision to his doubts about his ability to survive the apocalypse, this candid and personal collection of essays is astonishingly far-reaching and riotously funny.
Holding up a mirror to Adam’s own body image, his relationship with his family, his sense of self-worth and the mortifying experience of arriving at a teenage party wearing strawberry-patterned short shorts, this book is about growing up and trying to define yourself as a man but somehow always missing the mark.
357 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2025
12 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Adam Farrer
4 books16 followersAdam Farrer is an essayist, the Editor of the creative nonfiction journal The Real Story and the Writer in Residence for Peel Park, Salford.
His first book, Cold Fish Soup, a memoir in essays, won the NorthBound Book Award at the 2021 Northern Writers’ Awards. The follow up, Broken Biscuits and Other Male Failures, was published by Harper North in 2025. His writing can be found in numerous publications, including the Guardian, Metro, Test Signal (Dead Ink Books/Bloomsbury, 2021), Hinterland journal (2022), North Country (Saraband, 2022) and Lunate (2023).
He has been a photo lab technician, a kitchen porter, the voice of an automated phone system, an illustrator, a ceramicist, a musician, a music journalist and currently teaches creative nonfiction and memoir writing at the University of Lancaster.
His first book, Cold Fish Soup, a memoir in essays, won the NorthBound Book Award at the 2021 Northern Writers’ Awards. The follow up, Broken Biscuits and Other Male Failures, was published by Harper North in 2025. His writing can be found in numerous publications, including the Guardian, Metro, Test Signal (Dead Ink Books/Bloomsbury, 2021), Hinterland journal (2022), North Country (Saraband, 2022) and Lunate (2023).
He has been a photo lab technician, a kitchen porter, the voice of an automated phone system, an illustrator, a ceramicist, a musician, a music journalist and currently teaches creative nonfiction and memoir writing at the University of Lancaster.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 7, 2025
Even though I'd already bought a hard copy of Broken Biscuits, I was always going to listen to it on audio because Adam has such a wonderfully calming voice and he tells his own stories brilliantly.
Adam is a naturally funny and witty guy. Whilst Broken Biscuits is at times laugh out loud funny, it also deals with some serious subjects, including assault, addiction and suicide. As I was out walking, I found myself switching from snorting out loud to feeling emotional at some of Adam's stories, which were told with such great sensitivity.
Although the sub-title of this book "And other male failures" hints at a man who thinks that at times he may not have been good enough, it's clear that Adam Farrer is a good man. Adam's honesty and openness in Broken Biscuits is commendable and, from a female point of view, I don't think you could go far wrong with a man like Adam in your life.
A genuinely fabulous, funny and real account of Adam's life, and I highly recommend it on audio.
Adam is a naturally funny and witty guy. Whilst Broken Biscuits is at times laugh out loud funny, it also deals with some serious subjects, including assault, addiction and suicide. As I was out walking, I found myself switching from snorting out loud to feeling emotional at some of Adam's stories, which were told with such great sensitivity.
Although the sub-title of this book "And other male failures" hints at a man who thinks that at times he may not have been good enough, it's clear that Adam Farrer is a good man. Adam's honesty and openness in Broken Biscuits is commendable and, from a female point of view, I don't think you could go far wrong with a man like Adam in your life.
A genuinely fabulous, funny and real account of Adam's life, and I highly recommend it on audio.
March 23, 2025
Adam Farrar's *Broken Biscuits and Other Male Failures* is a magical mix of funny and touching essays/short stories about the ups and downs of being a man and figuring out your identity. The stories talk about things like body image, loving Prince, Butlins entertainment in the late 80s and society's idea of what it means to "be a bloke”. The thing with Adam‘s writing is when you’ve finished you feel like you know him, you care about him and you want to be his friend.
I’m looking forward to discussing it with everyone at our next book club meeting and especially looking forward to having Adam there in person. Having the chance to ask him questions is a real treat ☺️
February 12, 2025
I was a huge fan of Adam Farrer's debut, Cold Fish Soup, so very pleased to get my hands on this new offering. Broken Biscuits has the confidence that comes with a second book, Farrer in more discursive mode this time around, but with the same winning blend of self-deprecating wit, melancholy, and a startling and often hilarious readiness to expose his own flawed humanity to the reader. I flew through the collection, only wished there were more essays to read, so very much hoping for a sequel!
February 12, 2025
As expected, this was another brilliant read from Adam Farrer. He manages to explore some very serious topics and yet still have you laugh out loud every other page. This book is about being a man - but it’s relatable to anyone who has grown up experiencing first dates, first time let loose at a party, losing your virginity, getting stoned….But then add to that Adam’s wonderful way with words and - at times - downright HILARIOUS stories - and you’ll be hooked. I read this so quickly. But more deeply, it makes you think about the pressures men put on themselves and what makes them feel complete (or indeed incomplete). It also explores mental health and suicide - but does this so sensitively and with so much heart. There’s nostalgia too - and some rather interesting stories from Adam’s time working in a now obsolete photo lab! I honestly don’t think there’s another author who makes me laugh out loud so much and who can pull on the heart strings within a couple of sentences. Highly recommended read. And do try his first memoir too - Cold Fish Soup. Equally brilliant.
March 23, 2025
Because Adam Farrer is going to come and talk to our bookclub I wanted to read it beforehand. I’d very much enjoyed both Cold Fish Soup and his previous visit to us (even though we made him cry!)
As before, this deals with aspects of Adam’s life, sometimes himself and sometimes his family. I already knew about Robert, so it was nice to see him resurrected in this book. Ben’s story was moving and uplifting, but the one that had my heart in my mouth was about Adam’s relationship with his daughter. He’s gone away on retreat to write and he uses sentences beginning “she would have…” He is surrounded by death in the countryside and that, coupled with loads of messages when he finally gets a signal, had me worried that the worst had happened to her. This is part of Adam’s skill: he leads you down one path with wonderfully descriptive words, then hits you with the unexpected.
Another example of this is the two stories about girls having put him in compromising positions. It is this which elevates this book from merely a collection of autobiographical anecdotes to something which is thought-provoking and will stay with me for a long time.
The general theme of the book is about the pressures of “being a man”, hence the subtitle of “… and other male failures” Despite the title, it’s not self-pitying, nor all failures. Rather, it’s an insight into what men think (well, some of them, anyway) Well worth the read.
As before, this deals with aspects of Adam’s life, sometimes himself and sometimes his family. I already knew about Robert, so it was nice to see him resurrected in this book. Ben’s story was moving and uplifting, but the one that had my heart in my mouth was about Adam’s relationship with his daughter. He’s gone away on retreat to write and he uses sentences beginning “she would have…” He is surrounded by death in the countryside and that, coupled with loads of messages when he finally gets a signal, had me worried that the worst had happened to her. This is part of Adam’s skill: he leads you down one path with wonderfully descriptive words, then hits you with the unexpected.
Another example of this is the two stories about girls having put him in compromising positions. It is this which elevates this book from merely a collection of autobiographical anecdotes to something which is thought-provoking and will stay with me for a long time.
The general theme of the book is about the pressures of “being a man”, hence the subtitle of “… and other male failures” Despite the title, it’s not self-pitying, nor all failures. Rather, it’s an insight into what men think (well, some of them, anyway) Well worth the read.
February 17, 2025
Admittedly, and I promise, it will make total sense when you read the title essay, the first draft of this review read:
“If eating dick were a national sport, I am pretty sure Adam Farrar’s family would compete against each other unblinkingly chewing down on his mother's sweet phallic love treats, broken or not, while discussing, if not world peace then the next best thing, the state of genitals and feelings, something Adam, as we learned in his first book Cold Fish Soup (if you haven't read it already, oh how I envy you), is perpetually in awe of. His own feelings primarily, but also, almost like an alien observing the human species, other people’s.”
Subscribed
And although, I have a sneaking suspicion that the intended title for this book was Broken P3nises, and while having had a moment of acute adult-like thinking during a particularly frustrating attempt to curb a (nother) leak in the house that I repeatedly insist to Mr. Right, I love, if for nothing else then to show consistency and an unwavering belief that we can totally make this 1920ies house watertight - but also because, let’s be honest, it seems like a slippery slope to admit to Husband that he IS right after having spent 20 odd years trying to get him NOT to move house…
ANYHOO, despite the picture of Adam and his Mother munching broken p3nis biscuits while sorting out the world, it does seem a tad lazy, intellectually, to start a review of Broken Biscuits with that as a reference. AND that, despite the fact, that Mr Farrer uses the word P3nis a total of 48 times in the book. 38 times P3nis, nine times p3nises (! I have questions) and one time P3nisshaped. Pretty solid case for starting the review within the theme of genital mastication …
But
He also uses dick seven times, f0ck in some variation 64 times (I am mightily impressed and ever so slightly envious, I have been told I use it too much but I have not managed to squeeze it in 64 times in any of my novels… #GOALS), g4y twenty times. Love 57 times, beautiful 35 times and s3x 64 times, if he had added the extra five I would have been REALLY impressed. In any case, I will open a book on this novel being banned in several if not all states in the US and I personally think we should smuggle copies into schools and put them on shelves for all teens to read.
ANYWAY
All of the above, just to say - I think it is too predictable to start a review of this magnificent collection of essayistic memoirs latching on to the picture of genitals. Because, having read the book now three times, what I am left with, apart from a sore belly from laughing and a blocked nose from crying, is the overwhelming sense that here we have a person who is really truly and completely utterly committed to life. And god (no capital, sorry if that offends, but my god is not into that shxt) how he works hard for it. We learned in Cold Fish Soup (yes capitals) that suicidal ideation and overcoming that troublesome urge, is something Adam lives with and has been confronted by continuously all his life, not least by his Brother Robert who killed himself, but this book is not a lieder on death (28times) it is an ode to life - 78 times to be precise.
In Broken Biscuits, Adam takes us further back and deeper into his philosophical hive mind and dear readers, it is a beautiful place. A veritable Adam in Wonderland vibe at times, but also NOT. At all! This is not a tale. Nothing is absurd, not a cat in sight.
The book reads like a flamboyant yet perfectly balanced meal, not unlike the one his beautiful younger Brother Ben serves up for him in the chapter An Inside Job (one of my faves) It is savoury, yet sweet, a tasting menu of masculinities, human vulnerabilities and genuine introspection. There is no doubt that Mr Farrer is bloody hard on himself, to the point - just before the point - it becomes too painful to keep reading, and he changes course. Adam is a true admiral, not just captain, of his journey to self-awareness and identity and he seamlessly navigates the reader from the bay of tears across the sea of trauma to the coast of roaring laughter within the space of a few lines.
‘I blamed my genitals.[...] And because no problem has ever been solved by shouting at a p3nis, I decided it was high time that I sought professional help.’ (155)
Back to the p3nis theme. Because, part of the voyage is closely linked to the subtitle And Other Male Failures. What is it to be a man? To be manly? To be a sexual being who in a particularly enlightened chapter is so confused about these questions that he has to ask a friend if he has been sexually assaulted. Opening a very particular and important kettle of fish (soup) concerning the differences between female and male reasons for fear… AND sparking a brilliant take on what it is like to be a girl dad, girl mother, girl parent. But also what we should think about when we raise our sons. Tolerance, love, trust, fighting against toxic masculinities and wotnot. I say wotnot, but I do actually know a bit about this as I was a vice chair for a research network into Men and masculinities studies for close to 10 years. If you are interested, do read the wonderful Niels Ulrik Sørensen’s works on youth, learning, sexuality and pornography amongst other things. He is a brilliant writer and researcher and in my book a true poet. You can find quite a bit in English, but it is probably better if you learn Danish, shouldn’t take you long… since you have read this far, I know for a fact you are patient and of a curious nature, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
Adam Farrer is patient too, and of a curious nature, a bit gender curious one might call it and an altogether glorious raconteur. There are only a few things he seems to not be good at. He has an
‘Inability to stay down’ (p. 165) and according to his friend Zoe, his driving
‘I'm sorry,’ she said, ‘But this is so weird. It's like watching a dog riding a horse.’ (p. 200)
One could add, little things like: becoming a pro wrestler, having the body of Adonis and being boring. Because, trust me, at no point in this book will you be bored. And for a guy who decides early on to ‘Just say no’ to drugs and trouble (p. 253), not least because his burlesque dancing powerhouse of a mother said so, Adam doesn’t half say yes to a lot of things. OR, and this is entirely possible, I am just that much more mundane.
One thing is certain. Alan Bennett lovers - there is a new kid on the block, and he is not pulling punches. I can see him going places. We are talking, plays, musicals and nakedness in purple rain. Hopefully not Hollywood, they do not deserve him, but Hull Truck, West End and perhaps even the famous Cromer end of the Pier Show. NOW THAT would be something. Joking aside. … watch this space. Adam Farrer has proven that his first novel wasn’t a fluke. I see rainbow skies ahead.
Erna and I agree… this is five if not fat, then chunky whales from us
Go preorder it, get it while it is in hardback, and read it in public so people can see what a difference a book makes.
🐳 🐳🐳🐳🐳
#ernatheflyingwhale and
Sussi Louise Smith
And for the people of the North: The Grove Bookshop in Ilkley has a fabulous event with Adam on March 5th at 7 pm. Contact the shop for tickets.
Adam Farrer
#reviewer
#booklover
#bookblogger
#readingishealing
#readingisasuperpower
#brokenbiscuits
“If eating dick were a national sport, I am pretty sure Adam Farrar’s family would compete against each other unblinkingly chewing down on his mother's sweet phallic love treats, broken or not, while discussing, if not world peace then the next best thing, the state of genitals and feelings, something Adam, as we learned in his first book Cold Fish Soup (if you haven't read it already, oh how I envy you), is perpetually in awe of. His own feelings primarily, but also, almost like an alien observing the human species, other people’s.”
Subscribed
And although, I have a sneaking suspicion that the intended title for this book was Broken P3nises, and while having had a moment of acute adult-like thinking during a particularly frustrating attempt to curb a (nother) leak in the house that I repeatedly insist to Mr. Right, I love, if for nothing else then to show consistency and an unwavering belief that we can totally make this 1920ies house watertight - but also because, let’s be honest, it seems like a slippery slope to admit to Husband that he IS right after having spent 20 odd years trying to get him NOT to move house…
ANYHOO, despite the picture of Adam and his Mother munching broken p3nis biscuits while sorting out the world, it does seem a tad lazy, intellectually, to start a review of Broken Biscuits with that as a reference. AND that, despite the fact, that Mr Farrer uses the word P3nis a total of 48 times in the book. 38 times P3nis, nine times p3nises (! I have questions) and one time P3nisshaped. Pretty solid case for starting the review within the theme of genital mastication …
But
He also uses dick seven times, f0ck in some variation 64 times (I am mightily impressed and ever so slightly envious, I have been told I use it too much but I have not managed to squeeze it in 64 times in any of my novels… #GOALS), g4y twenty times. Love 57 times, beautiful 35 times and s3x 64 times, if he had added the extra five I would have been REALLY impressed. In any case, I will open a book on this novel being banned in several if not all states in the US and I personally think we should smuggle copies into schools and put them on shelves for all teens to read.
ANYWAY
All of the above, just to say - I think it is too predictable to start a review of this magnificent collection of essayistic memoirs latching on to the picture of genitals. Because, having read the book now three times, what I am left with, apart from a sore belly from laughing and a blocked nose from crying, is the overwhelming sense that here we have a person who is really truly and completely utterly committed to life. And god (no capital, sorry if that offends, but my god is not into that shxt) how he works hard for it. We learned in Cold Fish Soup (yes capitals) that suicidal ideation and overcoming that troublesome urge, is something Adam lives with and has been confronted by continuously all his life, not least by his Brother Robert who killed himself, but this book is not a lieder on death (28times) it is an ode to life - 78 times to be precise.
In Broken Biscuits, Adam takes us further back and deeper into his philosophical hive mind and dear readers, it is a beautiful place. A veritable Adam in Wonderland vibe at times, but also NOT. At all! This is not a tale. Nothing is absurd, not a cat in sight.
The book reads like a flamboyant yet perfectly balanced meal, not unlike the one his beautiful younger Brother Ben serves up for him in the chapter An Inside Job (one of my faves) It is savoury, yet sweet, a tasting menu of masculinities, human vulnerabilities and genuine introspection. There is no doubt that Mr Farrer is bloody hard on himself, to the point - just before the point - it becomes too painful to keep reading, and he changes course. Adam is a true admiral, not just captain, of his journey to self-awareness and identity and he seamlessly navigates the reader from the bay of tears across the sea of trauma to the coast of roaring laughter within the space of a few lines.
‘I blamed my genitals.[...] And because no problem has ever been solved by shouting at a p3nis, I decided it was high time that I sought professional help.’ (155)
Back to the p3nis theme. Because, part of the voyage is closely linked to the subtitle And Other Male Failures. What is it to be a man? To be manly? To be a sexual being who in a particularly enlightened chapter is so confused about these questions that he has to ask a friend if he has been sexually assaulted. Opening a very particular and important kettle of fish (soup) concerning the differences between female and male reasons for fear… AND sparking a brilliant take on what it is like to be a girl dad, girl mother, girl parent. But also what we should think about when we raise our sons. Tolerance, love, trust, fighting against toxic masculinities and wotnot. I say wotnot, but I do actually know a bit about this as I was a vice chair for a research network into Men and masculinities studies for close to 10 years. If you are interested, do read the wonderful Niels Ulrik Sørensen’s works on youth, learning, sexuality and pornography amongst other things. He is a brilliant writer and researcher and in my book a true poet. You can find quite a bit in English, but it is probably better if you learn Danish, shouldn’t take you long… since you have read this far, I know for a fact you are patient and of a curious nature, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
Adam Farrer is patient too, and of a curious nature, a bit gender curious one might call it and an altogether glorious raconteur. There are only a few things he seems to not be good at. He has an
‘Inability to stay down’ (p. 165) and according to his friend Zoe, his driving
‘I'm sorry,’ she said, ‘But this is so weird. It's like watching a dog riding a horse.’ (p. 200)
One could add, little things like: becoming a pro wrestler, having the body of Adonis and being boring. Because, trust me, at no point in this book will you be bored. And for a guy who decides early on to ‘Just say no’ to drugs and trouble (p. 253), not least because his burlesque dancing powerhouse of a mother said so, Adam doesn’t half say yes to a lot of things. OR, and this is entirely possible, I am just that much more mundane.
One thing is certain. Alan Bennett lovers - there is a new kid on the block, and he is not pulling punches. I can see him going places. We are talking, plays, musicals and nakedness in purple rain. Hopefully not Hollywood, they do not deserve him, but Hull Truck, West End and perhaps even the famous Cromer end of the Pier Show. NOW THAT would be something. Joking aside. … watch this space. Adam Farrer has proven that his first novel wasn’t a fluke. I see rainbow skies ahead.
Erna and I agree… this is five if not fat, then chunky whales from us
Go preorder it, get it while it is in hardback, and read it in public so people can see what a difference a book makes.
🐳 🐳🐳🐳🐳
#ernatheflyingwhale and
Sussi Louise Smith
And for the people of the North: The Grove Bookshop in Ilkley has a fabulous event with Adam on March 5th at 7 pm. Contact the shop for tickets.
Adam Farrer
#reviewer
#booklover
#bookblogger
#readingishealing
#readingisasuperpower
#brokenbiscuits
May 7, 2025
Warm, frank and relatable, this collection of autobiographical essays oozes compassion and humour. A brilliant and entertaining look at the complexities, challenges and pitfalls of modern masculinity; from Adam’s 70’s childhood, having a boycrush on a mate, questioning his sexuality via an obsession with Prince and being crap at fighting, to self-doubt, broken man-biscuits 🍆 and the trauma of circumcision as an adult, discovering respect for the kid brother he once loathed, and tales from his years working in a high street photo studio, printing an endless parade of risqué, bizarre and frankly pornographic snaps.
Self-deprecating and flawed, philosophical and poignant, this brilliant collection made me snort with laughter, nod my head in recognition and left me with a lump in my throat. A heartfelt and hilarious recommended read.
Self-deprecating and flawed, philosophical and poignant, this brilliant collection made me snort with laughter, nod my head in recognition and left me with a lump in my throat. A heartfelt and hilarious recommended read.
April 21, 2025
Where to start with this amazing collection of memoir essays? I had heard of Adam Farrer vaguely, but I was fortunate to see him interview Rozie Kelly at her book launch for Kingfisher in early April in Manchester. This book was available at the Blackwell's bookshop and I'm a sucker for a signed copy so I nervously asked for my copy to be signed (and he charmingly drew in a broken biscuit along with his signature). As soon as I began reading, I wanted to savour every story. Adam is such an amazing storyteller and I can't help but relate to this narrative, beautifully told. My husband was born around the same time in the 1970s in Britain and Michael is the same sort of sensitive soul, deep thinker, caring human, who also wrestled with these types of things Adam discusses (especially the sections on the version of masculinity pre-90s where a suit would do versus body image and bullying and virginity, male sexuality). I'm British-American, born in the late 80s in contrast. I can't help but think the world needs more deep-thinking, feeling, sensitive men in the world – and how that period in time wasn't designed to create these types of men. I adored the chapters where he described his relationship with his daughter, too. This book covers so much ground that is vital for men to read and understand, especially those who are in their late forties and fifties now. I loved it and I can't gush about it enough, even though my review isn't doing it justice at all. It's a powerful, entertaining read. Some of the stories belong to a nostalgic time, a time pre-digital camera (as in the case of working in a photo processing centre), and so much more. I usually zip through books, but I found myself wanting to savour this book, take my time with the essays. I bought the hardcover but also listened along on the Spotify audiobook version, which was lovely. It's hilarious, beautifully written, raw, open, honest, and discusses the male experience in such vivid detail. I haven't read anything like it, and I look forward to reading everything Farrer has to offer!
May 1, 2025
This is both an hoot and an important read. In the inimitable voice we got to know in Adam's first book, Cold Fish Soup, this recounts tales that will entertain at the same time as it will make you think. It offers a rare male voice dealing honestly with difficult topics such as friendship and family, self-confidence and body image, mental health, love and sex. Highly recommended.
April 21, 2025
I really enjoyed “Cold Fish Soup” but this is absolutely brilliant. Relatable and a whole mix of emotions. If you are thinking of reading this then do so. I just hope Adam Farrer is planning another book.
September 8, 2025
A beautiful, warm, and funny exploration of what it means to grow up and live in the spaces carved out for men. The title really lays out the cookie cutter nature of much of what gender roles offer in our modern society and the book really emphasises the importance of recognising shapes and choosing which ones you want to conform to and which ones you need to break.
Adam Farrer's writing is witty and genuine and gives you a kick right where you need it, but for the most part it just feels comforting and homely.
Adam Farrer's writing is witty and genuine and gives you a kick right where you need it, but for the most part it just feels comforting and homely.
April 3, 2025
This book is very funny and also moving. My favourite story is the one about Adam reluctantly going to help his friend retrieve his stolen bike. It made me laugh so much. It’s also very tender in parts. When Adam writes about his family, and his dearly loved brother that he lost, you can really sense how much he loves them. It is beautifully written and very entertaining. A must read.
April 12, 2025
So, so good. This book explores masculinity in all its reality and fragility, from childhood to becoming a father. It's a hugely generous book: the author shares experiences that are undoubtedly intimate and in some cases, painful (both emotionally and physically: read the book, and you'll see what I mean). But it's important, too. In a world that contains the toxic ideas of malehood and too many Andrew Tates, we need more people like Adam Farrer to present the reality of what it's like for the ordinary man. It's also very, very funny. The final essay about his relationship with his daugher is one of the most touching and unfeignedly beautiful pieces of writing that I've enjoyed in a long time. Highly recommended.
May 30, 2025
The thing with Adam is he loves things that most of us try to avoid noticing. You know when you drive through a new city - Geneva say or Lucerne - there is only a wee little window of time to take things in. You can gasp at the buildings, at the wide roads, at the lakeside setting or at the graffiti. For Adam, it is the graffiti every time. You could be on a bus with Adam and he would remember a small revolting detail that to everyone else was invisible. And these are the treasures he hoards away, musing, turning over so they catch a glint of light. And then, ta-da - here they come, spilling out in a book that tells you about Adam's life as only Adam ever could. Things that should be terrible, toe-curling, upsetting in a million small (or not so small) ways, he turns into chuckles and insights with an endearing and Very English turn of phrase.
October 27, 2025
By the time you find out the significance of the title, you are thoroughly ensconced in the life of Farrer, who may or may not like his critics comparing him to David Sedaris. Farrer certainly has his fair share of Sedaris-like cringing moments that seem to appear as regularly as zits on a teenager’s face. However, these essays spread out over a lifetime aren’t particularly alarming. Where Farrer does shine is in his ability to relay such moments, particularly his teen ones, with alacrity and clarity as if they had happened yesterday. Such nuance creates faithful reading until the end, where Farrer leaves us with not such a paean to a toxic masculine world, but a life lived honestly trying to avoid that scenario at his own peril.
March 3, 2025
These essays made me laugh, cry, and wince. They're funny and moving, and the author writes about his own failures and humiliations with admirable honesty, as well as with warmth and humour. There's something unexpected in every essay, and I just really enjoyed spending time seeing the world through the author's eyes, even when it's uncomfortable place. I don't read a lot of personal writing or non-fiction like this, but I've already been pressing it into the hands of friends and family, and will be thinking about it for a good time to come. Brilliant stuff.
May 14, 2025
What a fantastic book. Adam's stories of boyhood through to manhood are tinged with such vulnerability and sadness, painfully authentic, but he's also so funny you don't feel the need to tap out. The genuine laughs keep you going. This is the book of manhood in the era of fourth wave feminism for the men who need to feel seen, validated, comprehended, known. Sensitive, heartfelt, and deeply relatable. Strong recommend.
November 2, 2025
Adam Farrer recounts a series of episodes from his life where he has failed to live up to the ideal of a “masculine man”. The first few chapters were great, but the last two were boring. Although Farrer doesn’t go into philosophical or sociological analyses of why he felt (and possibly still feels) inadequate as a man, he manages to highlight the cognitive dissonance required to, as bell hooks might put it, kill the “boy” and become a “man”.
March 7, 2025
A book with lots of brave, personal revelations.
With insight about his behaviour, Adam is able to reflect and write about his life and growing into a 'man' (whatever that means) with humour, relate ability and candidly.
Young adults should read this book as they hopefully will see that things do turn out alright in the end.
Thank you to Adam, his family and friends, for sharing your stories.
With insight about his behaviour, Adam is able to reflect and write about his life and growing into a 'man' (whatever that means) with humour, relate ability and candidly.
Young adults should read this book as they hopefully will see that things do turn out alright in the end.
Thank you to Adam, his family and friends, for sharing your stories.
September 5, 2025
Adam Farrer, a humble, explosively articulate man had a childhood and life similar to others yet beautifully unique. No one's family is perfect, but robustness and resilience is both learnt and a product of nature too. Broken biscuits asks the reader to enjoy, reflect, cry and laugh at the human condition from this unique position of commonality. Loved this. Will enjoy more than once.
November 2, 2025
I adore this book! I heard about it when Adam was on one of my favourite podcasts and once I started reading it, I didn’t want it to end. The theme of masculinity is one that’s very close to me so it was so interesting to hear a heterosexual man’s take on it. It made me laugh and cry in equal measures. Go buy this book!
December 24, 2025
I enjoyed this cleverly written essay collection. I envy the author's skill at knitting together seemingly unrelated elements to create a cohesive story. As others have said, there are emotional journeys here, with tales turning from ridiculous to tragic, or traumatic to light-hearted. As digestible as a willy biscuit
March 5, 2025
In Broken Biscuits Farrer expertly walks the tightrope between Adam and Everyman. Funny & moving essays, and funny and intimate!, on the events life throws at you; sex, love, fatherhood, dead sheep and holiday park beauty contests.
Beautifully done.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Beautifully done.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 2, 2025
Fabulous, can't put it down. Honest, humble and humorous humility. Soul bearing, soul searching and something relatable and resonating to all in some aspects. Adam deserves every success with this. 💚 Kay St Paul - Pooley
May 18, 2025
Listened to this on audio after seeing @thereadingpara recommendations. It seems a weird comment to say "I love his writing" when he is really telling his life story, but I did enjoy it. Highly recommend it!
May 23, 2025
Cold Fish Soup was a great first book, and this was an enjoyable read. He takes you back to your own past through his experiences of the ups and downs of living our lives (all the different facets). I look forward to his next one.
May 28, 2025
I cannot recommend this highly enough. A superb read. Adam writes with such compassion and humour. Loved his previous book, Cold Fish Soup and this is just as brilliant. Get it on your to be read pile!!
June 1, 2025
Brilliant, funny, reflective, and tragic at times. A series of short essays describing events from Adam Farrers' life. Each one is brilliant in its own way, and this book is so much better than Cold Fish Soup.
March 18, 2025
Farrer's lovely wee tales of maledom. A companion to 'Cold Fish Soup'. Ace.
August 25, 2025
Enjoyed it.
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