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Can't Be Arsed: Half Arsed Shorter Edition: 63 Things Not To Do Before You Die
Books, television shows and websites are forever ordering us around - 100 things to do before you're 30; 50 albums you must own; this year's must-have handbag; change your life in two weeks.
- GenresHumor
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2010
4 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Richard Wilson
9 books2 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
British comedy producer of Hat Trick Productions.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
British comedy producer of Hat Trick Productions.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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September 13, 2024I'm not going to rate this one but please go to the Parthenon before you die; my ancestors worked hard on that thing and the British stole a lot of it
March 6, 2022
A series of essays about what you should not bother doing. Because they are all vignettes you are never far from something you will enjoy.
One or two felt forced or mean spirited. There were a couple of repetitive arguments in there as well but lets not take what is a funny book too seriously. That was written as a series of old man rants and as an old man myself it tickled me to read it.
My only advice would be is not to read this shortened version if you can avoid it. The fuller book is better value for money. It was also a better read.
One or two felt forced or mean spirited. There were a couple of repetitive arguments in there as well but lets not take what is a funny book too seriously. That was written as a series of old man rants and as an old man myself it tickled me to read it.
My only advice would be is not to read this shortened version if you can avoid it. The fuller book is better value for money. It was also a better read.
April 9, 2017
I basically agree with Richard Wilson's point of view that desperately and hectically chasing after one "obligatory" life-changing experience after another must be quite stressful and probably does not make for a happy and contented life.
Some of the chapters are quite funny and to the point but putting things down that a lot of people truly enjoy sounds pompous, quickly becomes tedious and makes one wonder what the man actually does in his free time apart from sitting in an armchair staring out of the window or visiting nearby market towns.
Should one really not go to Australia because Koala's are not as cuddly as they look and might bite and scratch (what are the chances of that happening ?) or miss out on seeing the Taj Mahal because it stands on the banks of the smelly Yamuna River ? (And no - seeing it in real life is NOT always a disappointment or an anticlimax !!!). Some of us actually do think that Shawshank Redemption is a good film and who says that humans are more intelligent than dolphins ???
Some of the chapters are quite funny and to the point but putting things down that a lot of people truly enjoy sounds pompous, quickly becomes tedious and makes one wonder what the man actually does in his free time apart from sitting in an armchair staring out of the window or visiting nearby market towns.
Should one really not go to Australia because Koala's are not as cuddly as they look and might bite and scratch (what are the chances of that happening ?) or miss out on seeing the Taj Mahal because it stands on the banks of the smelly Yamuna River ? (And no - seeing it in real life is NOT always a disappointment or an anticlimax !!!). Some of us actually do think that Shawshank Redemption is a good film and who says that humans are more intelligent than dolphins ???
August 30, 2011
Hilarious.
I like the idea of a bucket list, in fact I have one on my website and the way some of the goals are described really put a smile on my face, pretty much constantly throughout the whole book.
I love the way he describes some of the items everyone has on their to do list. There are a even a few that I have already done and that just made me laugh even harder.
Just goes to show that if you really want to do certain things before you die, do it for the right reason, not just because it's on everyone else's list...
If you have a list of things to do before you die read this book, hopefully at least some of your goals are mentioned. You may get talked out of them and save yourself a fortune. Otherwise, if you still want to attempt them then maybe they are worth a try?
I like the idea of a bucket list, in fact I have one on my website and the way some of the goals are described really put a smile on my face, pretty much constantly throughout the whole book.
I love the way he describes some of the items everyone has on their to do list. There are a even a few that I have already done and that just made me laugh even harder.
Just goes to show that if you really want to do certain things before you die, do it for the right reason, not just because it's on everyone else's list...
If you have a list of things to do before you die read this book, hopefully at least some of your goals are mentioned. You may get talked out of them and save yourself a fortune. Otherwise, if you still want to attempt them then maybe they are worth a try?
November 5, 2013
there is a snarky sense of humour that works for this book. I must say though I have done some of the things like bungee jumping and skydiving sorry Mr. Wilson but they were a blast to try. Anyways he does poke fun and make it a lite read. The ones on the Grand Canyon and the Pyramids are hysterical and true. I mean if you go off season to the Grand Canyon you will freeze.
This is a overall fun read. Not to heavy not to light and he makes some great points about some of the things not to do. I agree with some and obviously some since I have done them I don't. He also puts logic into some of what he is talking about. But the Pyramids and the Taj Mahal those are great.
A fun read all around.
This is a overall fun read. Not to heavy not to light and he makes some great points about some of the things not to do. I agree with some and obviously some since I have done them I don't. He also puts logic into some of what he is talking about. But the Pyramids and the Taj Mahal those are great.
A fun read all around.
September 14, 2013
ARC via NetGalley
I'm genuinely not sure what to make of Can't Be Arsed: Half Arsed Shorter Edition: 63 Things Not to Do Before You Die. The humor is generally mild (if grumpy) and sometimes legitimately funny, but occasional forays into casual homophobia and racism (usually in the form of lazy, thoughtless jokes) left me disturbed and uncomfortable at times. Readers of Wilsons Can't Be Arsed: 101 Things Not to Do Before You Die should be aware this is simply a shortened version of the same book with the only new content appearing in the forward.
I'm genuinely not sure what to make of Can't Be Arsed: Half Arsed Shorter Edition: 63 Things Not to Do Before You Die. The humor is generally mild (if grumpy) and sometimes legitimately funny, but occasional forays into casual homophobia and racism (usually in the form of lazy, thoughtless jokes) left me disturbed and uncomfortable at times. Readers of Wilsons Can't Be Arsed: 101 Things Not to Do Before You Die should be aware this is simply a shortened version of the same book with the only new content appearing in the forward.
September 23, 2013
I can appreciate the sentiment behind this, I really can. The author is looking at the standard bucket list activities of his peers and pointing how they are not especially cracked up to be. Except he's not very clever. As much as beaches are over rated, no one can manage three decent rants about the subject. It's just crapping on other people's fun. Also, he's a kinda racist/xenophobic/homophobic.
September 10, 2013
I love snark. This book is the perfect book if you are looking for an excuse to not make a bucket list. We all have seen them the 100+ things to do before you die books; this is the anti book. The author is very British and does use terms that might take the American reader a bit to understand but it is worth it.
I received a reviewer copy from NetGalley.
I received a reviewer copy from NetGalley.
March 25, 2019
Hilarious, and sadly, so very very accurate.
If you’re going to be honest with yourself, you must read this and realise that despite your best intentions, you WILL agree with practically everything written. Even the bit about dolphins.
DEFINITELY the bit about dolphins....
If you’re going to be honest with yourself, you must read this and realise that despite your best intentions, you WILL agree with practically everything written. Even the bit about dolphins.
DEFINITELY the bit about dolphins....
September 19, 2013
Didn't finish. Tried to hard to be funny. Just watch idiot abroad instead.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews