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Curious: True Stories and Loose Connections
Sometimes things are more ordinary than you think. And sometimes they're a whole lot odder than you can possibly imagine.
Rebecca Front has always drawn on experiences from her life in her award-winning acting and comic writing. In her debut book, she reveals herself as a master storyteller: sharp, witty, honest and highly attuned to the absurdities of life and the oddities of human nature.
By turns poignant, comic and uplifting, CURIOUS is a book of stories, all of them true, though sometimes perhaps a little bent out of shape in the telling.
We learn, among other things, why a Mexican wave is a symbol of oppression, how to navigate a conversational cul-de-sac with a French vegan train driver, and why keeping a pet rabbit on a lead is perfectly normal.
This is a beguiling celebration of the curiosities of everyday life, and of what it is to be curious - in every sense of the word.
Rebecca Front has always drawn on experiences from her life in her award-winning acting and comic writing. In her debut book, she reveals herself as a master storyteller: sharp, witty, honest and highly attuned to the absurdities of life and the oddities of human nature.
By turns poignant, comic and uplifting, CURIOUS is a book of stories, all of them true, though sometimes perhaps a little bent out of shape in the telling.
We learn, among other things, why a Mexican wave is a symbol of oppression, how to navigate a conversational cul-de-sac with a French vegan train driver, and why keeping a pet rabbit on a lead is perfectly normal.
This is a beguiling celebration of the curiosities of everyday life, and of what it is to be curious - in every sense of the word.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2014
17 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 11, 2014
From BBC Radio - Book of the Week:
Rebecca Front's anecdotes and yarns exploring all that is remarkable about everyday life
Rebecca Front's anecdotes and yarns exploring all that is remarkable about everyday life
July 25, 2015
I know Rebecca Front from her work on the UK dark TV comedy Nighty night. I spotted this book of essays at the library and gave it a shot. I very rarely read biographies but I enjoyed this collection of anecdotes and observations on her life. I liked reading about the challenges of going on a holiday to a vegetarian inn in Scotland in the 1970s, how to she tries to cope with her phobias and anxieties, and I genuinely laughed out loud several times. Though her observations aren’t startling, they are very real, and I feel like I could get on very well with her if I ever got a chance to meet her. 3 stars.
February 21, 2022
This book is super clever and funny but also is the best representation of my type of anxiety and phobia that I've ever read. Rebecca made me feel so absolutely seen, and gave me hope that my life will continue to improve, even if my mental health progress has largely stalled or backslid in recent years. She's an icon to me and is my motivation to continue working on myself. Also her family is so much like mine - her grandmother especially. Hilarious.
July 1, 2015
The most curious thing about this book is its title. There is nothing ‘curious’ in this book – just a collection of mundane, banal and trivial incidents. ‘Anxiety’ would have been a better title as the main thing Front writes about is situations that made her feel awkward or worried. The writing is clunky, turgid and in some places, just plain bad – the last line of the “A Broken Heart” chapter particularly. Throughout it feels like she is trying to be funny, but this mostly fails and some of the attempts at humour are just excruciating; “though his hair was not so much Sebastian Flyte as ‘just got off a long haul flight’, I felt he had potential.” At other times, Front is constantly justifying to the reader why she said or did something and this overly-apologetic tone quickly becomes irritating. The chapters “End of the Peer Show” and “Rainy Days and Mondays” were the most enjoyable, but had I not been reading this for my book club, I would have given up by chapter 2.
September 13, 2016
This made me laugh out loud and wonder if Rebecca Front, was in fact, an eyewitness to my own life. I, too, used to sing as if I had full orchestration and think I was show-stoppingly fantastic. (Also, if truth be told, I did this out of the car window as a child and thought nobody else could hear)!
The author makes all these "slices of life" her own and the more she demeans and pokes fun at herself, the more you want to tell her that the same is true for you.
Aside from a couple of pieces that seemed like "fillers" this was such a humorous, eclectic & witty collection of acute observation, Jewish family life and wallowing in the detail. Loved it.
The author makes all these "slices of life" her own and the more she demeans and pokes fun at herself, the more you want to tell her that the same is true for you.
Aside from a couple of pieces that seemed like "fillers" this was such a humorous, eclectic & witty collection of acute observation, Jewish family life and wallowing in the detail. Loved it.
July 25, 2017
No longer satisfied with playing the incompetent MP Nicola Murray in the political satire The Thick of It, and winning a Bafta for it, seasoned comedy writer and columnist, Rebecca Front, has written a collection of delightfully witty anecdotes and tales exploring all that is remarkable about everyday life.
Autobiographical in nature, Curious: True Stories and Loose Connections by Rebecca Front explores the oddities of human nature in general and her own peculiarities in particular, revealing through the stories and anecdotes her own life’s struggles. This is a book of curiosities, and if you’re curious enough to read it, Rebecca Front hopes that it will remind you of curiosities of your own.
Though the style of writing is not the best, the stories and anecdotes are every bit interesting, insightful and engaging. From the first chapter The Tiger Who Came to Tea to the last chapter More Like a Snail, Rebecca Front will take you on a ride that will make you think and laugh at the same time.
Autobiographical in nature, Curious: True Stories and Loose Connections by Rebecca Front explores the oddities of human nature in general and her own peculiarities in particular, revealing through the stories and anecdotes her own life’s struggles. This is a book of curiosities, and if you’re curious enough to read it, Rebecca Front hopes that it will remind you of curiosities of your own.
Though the style of writing is not the best, the stories and anecdotes are every bit interesting, insightful and engaging. From the first chapter The Tiger Who Came to Tea to the last chapter More Like a Snail, Rebecca Front will take you on a ride that will make you think and laugh at the same time.
July 20, 2025
This is a very enjoyable read. Funny and relatable incidents from the author's life. I picked this up as I remembered enjoying listening to some of the stories when it was on the radio a few years ago.
My favourite line: "There have been many times in my adult life when I've wished a real-grown up would come along and tell me what to do"
Maybe everyone feels like this and there are no "real" grown ups?
My favourite line: "There have been many times in my adult life when I've wished a real-grown up would come along and tell me what to do"
Maybe everyone feels like this and there are no "real" grown ups?
December 18, 2020
Reflections and lessons learned:
“And how about you...? We’re both human beings with something to say...”
A genuinely talented but calming voice, commentating on her life experience - through the considered reflection, picking out lessons learned along the way... looking forward to listening to more from Front
“And how about you...? We’re both human beings with something to say...”
A genuinely talented but calming voice, commentating on her life experience - through the considered reflection, picking out lessons learned along the way... looking forward to listening to more from Front
January 20, 2020
Made me laugh out loud
Very funny and very well written. I found the style of the book interesting, some of the chapters made me nod and even talk out loud as well as laugh. I found the book engaging and read it over a couple of nights in bed.
Very funny and very well written. I found the style of the book interesting, some of the chapters made me nod and even talk out loud as well as laugh. I found the book engaging and read it over a couple of nights in bed.
June 4, 2019
A lovely selection of stories/incidents that are so normal and yet told in an entertaining manner. Well worth the read.
August 1, 2019
Very funny and relatable at places eg on panic attacks, hypnotherapy , however also some mundane things which sounded very ‘Oxford educated middle class-y’ if that makes any sense ?
August 4, 2019
A fun essay-based memoir-ish book. Mainly, I really enjoyed reading someone else’s experience of anxiety, as well as her talking about assorted memories and what they mean to her.
January 12, 2020
Enjoyable read
As this was on my kindle I read it over an extended period of time. It was a book I enjoyed going back to at night and was funny, insightful and honest.
As this was on my kindle I read it over an extended period of time. It was a book I enjoyed going back to at night and was funny, insightful and honest.
February 17, 2020
2.5 Stars This was ok, nothing mind blowing. Just an easy read about certain snippets of her like
April 9, 2020
I love books like this that have lots of funny, quirky true-life stories. Just puts a smile on your face.
June 4, 2023
Bit too middle class, middle England for me
March 30, 2022
I quite enjoyed this book, the anecdotes were funny and interesting and it was an easy, enjoyable and well written read. The book is a series of anecdotes such as Rebecca experiencing anxiety when flying and seeing a hypnotherapist, being a Vegetarian in the 1970's and attempting to pay for some garlic that she accidentally stole from the supermarket.
Rebecca writes of anxiety vividly and accurately and her descriptions of real life situations where anxiety had engulfed her were the most accurate I have read, including in anxiety-specific texts. The book really focuses on the minutiae of life and there is a beauty in that, the book isn't about a showbiz life but a normal life that most people will identify with.
My only criticism was that I couldn't work out what the theme was, It seemed to be a collection of random anecdotes. Other reviewers seem to point to curiosity being the common theme (Hence the title) but I failed to see the connections that drew the anecdotes together. At the beginning of the book it says that whilst what is written is based upon real life events, some of the stories have been embellished for comedic effect which is understandable but did take a little bit of the shine away from the anecdotes for me because I kept wondering how much of what was written was true.
Recommended to those looking for a funny, easy read.
Rebecca writes of anxiety vividly and accurately and her descriptions of real life situations where anxiety had engulfed her were the most accurate I have read, including in anxiety-specific texts. The book really focuses on the minutiae of life and there is a beauty in that, the book isn't about a showbiz life but a normal life that most people will identify with.
My only criticism was that I couldn't work out what the theme was, It seemed to be a collection of random anecdotes. Other reviewers seem to point to curiosity being the common theme (Hence the title) but I failed to see the connections that drew the anecdotes together. At the beginning of the book it says that whilst what is written is based upon real life events, some of the stories have been embellished for comedic effect which is understandable but did take a little bit of the shine away from the anecdotes for me because I kept wondering how much of what was written was true.
Recommended to those looking for a funny, easy read.
July 4, 2014
I have loved/fangirled Rebecca Front ever since a friend sat me down and had me watch the third series of "The Thick of It." While, alas, this book does not include what has to be amazingly funny anecdotes about being a part of the show, it does encompass so much of what I enjoy about her. She tells stories of her life covering a variety of topics and does delve into her phobias and panic attacks in a way that's accessible. (Also, very true to life - I had to put the book away for a little bit because I was in a panic about a doctor's appointment and reading about her anxiety just heightened my own.) She also writes about art and family and the meaning of home in a way both philosophical and humorous at the same time. If you enjoy her body of work, you'll enjoy this book.
August 29, 2014
I read this today (the whole thing) and had a most pleasant day of it. Rebecca Front is a great screen presence and comes across in this semi-autobiography as a thoroughly interesting and honest person. Her foibles often get her into scrapes of great amusement (i.e. when she tries to make up for accidentally swiping a bulb of garlic from her local supermarket) and her discomfort with fame is shown in various stories. Most moving to me is the story of her struggle with school-refusal following a challenging series of events and her conclusion and thanks to a particularly intuitive teacher is, I think, excellent.
A fine way to spend an afternoon, in the company of a self-effacing, sometimes neurotic but always witty voice.
A fine way to spend an afternoon, in the company of a self-effacing, sometimes neurotic but always witty voice.
January 5, 2020
I love the way Rebecca Front writes. She is funny, self- aware, not scared to laugh at herself and her observations are always spot-on.
Close observation and being able to describe and recreate it later is absolutely an acting skill. No wonder she has always been in work, Rebecca Front is obviously a master at it.
I think I preferred Impossible Things Before Breakfast. But they're both fab. And both books are written in very short episodes, that each stand alone. This is ideal for late night reading, when the eyelids start to drop after a page or two.
I highly recommend her audio book versions too. If you buy on Kindle, you get the audio version for a few quid.
Close observation and being able to describe and recreate it later is absolutely an acting skill. No wonder she has always been in work, Rebecca Front is obviously a master at it.
I think I preferred Impossible Things Before Breakfast. But they're both fab. And both books are written in very short episodes, that each stand alone. This is ideal for late night reading, when the eyelids start to drop after a page or two.
I highly recommend her audio book versions too. If you buy on Kindle, you get the audio version for a few quid.
January 3, 2017
This reads very much like listening to stories being read out on Radio 4, in a light and conversational way. Some of the stories carry more weight than others, and stay with you a little longer, while others bring a quick smile or shake of the head and you're on to the next.
I read this in one late night sitting, and it felt like wonderful company during a restless touch of insomnia. There is something very comforting about stories that aim to be curious, but unlike fiction short stories don't have to aim to accomplish anything more than that.
A delightful little read.
I read this in one late night sitting, and it felt like wonderful company during a restless touch of insomnia. There is something very comforting about stories that aim to be curious, but unlike fiction short stories don't have to aim to accomplish anything more than that.
A delightful little read.
April 25, 2015
I really enjoyed these little snippets of memoir. Funny and perceptive and wry - like really good conversation with a friend. Stand-outs for me were the sections on art, and her worries about travel. A reassuring book for anyone else who 'never really feels quite at home' and is getting through life without the benefit of a shell.
January 11, 2017
A series of autobiographical essays by actor Rebecca Front. All are written with a comical slant, but many deal with issues such as anxiety, phobias, and other less than funny events. I enjoyed the book, but felt it was quite slight.
Want to read
November 2, 2015Birthday present from my parents – looking forward to this...
August 10, 2014
Entertaining and full of insight, seems most of us are mad, we just keep it to ourselves.
February 13, 2015
To quote another review I read on here, a more apt title for this book would be 'Anxious'. Still, a diverting and fun read. I can definitely relate to a few of her quirks (only a few though).
October 5, 2016
Very funny and sympathetic. Loved it.
Read
January 24, 2017Very impressed with her observations of herself and the world around her. Especially chapter 'A Disagreement with Mr Rothko' about art and art appreciation
lookedinto-decidedagainst
September 10, 2016Coming up at BOTW: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b046rxtw
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews