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How to Stop Being a Naai
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 29, 2026
I love that as a physical object, HOW TO STOP BEING A NAAI is the embodiment of Lucian as a character. From the bright, peppy cover to the cheeky title to the smart use of charts and graphics to mimic self-improvement manuals... it all combines to give a light-hearted facade to an inventory of the worst human impulses. HTSBAN is a sharp book. The narrative starts with petty paybacks for petty grievances and escalates to encompass our national shame.
I loved the use of language in HTSBAN. I didn't grow up in South Africa so my Afrikaans is non-existent, especially slang, but that wasn't a barrier to enjoying this book. In fact, the immersive experience of being thrown in, picking up the context clues without the narrative catering to a foreign audience was genuinely great.
Regardless of if you are South African or not, if you ever despair, wondering why people are the way that they are, you need to read HOW TO STOP BEING A NAAI.
I am so grateful that Jonathan Ball Publishers included me in the readalong. I received this book for free for review.
I loved the use of language in HTSBAN. I didn't grow up in South Africa so my Afrikaans is non-existent, especially slang, but that wasn't a barrier to enjoying this book. In fact, the immersive experience of being thrown in, picking up the context clues without the narrative catering to a foreign audience was genuinely great.
Regardless of if you are South African or not, if you ever despair, wondering why people are the way that they are, you need to read HOW TO STOP BEING A NAAI.
I am so grateful that Jonathan Ball Publishers included me in the readalong. I received this book for free for review.
August 22, 2026
I loved it. I laughed so much and also felt earnest and confronted at some points. The format is so so unique. I find myself wishing for a sequel to continue learning about Lucian’s journey!
September 29, 2026
4.5 ⭐
Mermaid Fillet is one of my favourite local fiction (thank you UCT English Lit!), so of course I jumped at the opportunity to get my hands on the latest book by this incredible South African author. How to Stop Being a Naai is a satirical take on the self-help genre, blending the format of a typical self-improvement 'how to' with Ardene's signature colloquial language and style.
If you're not a South African or familiar with Kaapse slang, you must be wondering "what is a naai"? It's one of those words that's difficult to properly translate. The closest English alternative I can think of is "asshole", but like most slang terms, even that doesn't feel like it fully encompasses what it means to be a "naai". The term is generally viewed as offensive or a 'swear word' (depending on the crowd) and can be used in different contexts, some of which can dramatically change the meaning. All that to say, it's a complex word that's difficult to explain to someone not 'in the know'. For now, and in this context, just think in the lines of "asshole", "jerk", "horrible person" etc.
Terminology aside, the book follows the narrative of Lucian, a self-confessed naai, who is just about self-aware enough to know that something in his life needs to change. In the midst of a life in shambles, Lucian comes up with nine steps to overcoming his naaiery. Somewhat of a self-created self-help manual in lieu of going to therapy (this would've been a much shorter book if Lucian just went to therapy!). Mia Ardene has once again managed to craft characters whose complexity carries the novel. Lucian is meant to be a deeply unlikeable character but his humanity shines through the rawness of Ardene's writing, making it so that even the biggest non-naai is sure to relate or at least sympathize with Lucian's struggles.
As Lucian wrestles with his inner demons and the outer world continues to throw him punches, he stumbles through a journey of self-discovery and... healing? Well, not quite, but something along those lines (he's trying). The result is a raucous, provocative, witty, and so very real novel that forces us to confront some of the greatest evils of the world, as well as some of the great evils within ourselves. It's thought-provoking, it's brutally honest, and it swings you between the pendulum of frustration and satisfaction. Ultimately, it's brilliant. As expected from an author I admire! (Love you Mia ❤️)
Mermaid Fillet is one of my favourite local fiction (thank you UCT English Lit!), so of course I jumped at the opportunity to get my hands on the latest book by this incredible South African author. How to Stop Being a Naai is a satirical take on the self-help genre, blending the format of a typical self-improvement 'how to' with Ardene's signature colloquial language and style.
If you're not a South African or familiar with Kaapse slang, you must be wondering "what is a naai"? It's one of those words that's difficult to properly translate. The closest English alternative I can think of is "asshole", but like most slang terms, even that doesn't feel like it fully encompasses what it means to be a "naai". The term is generally viewed as offensive or a 'swear word' (depending on the crowd) and can be used in different contexts, some of which can dramatically change the meaning. All that to say, it's a complex word that's difficult to explain to someone not 'in the know'. For now, and in this context, just think in the lines of "asshole", "jerk", "horrible person" etc.
Terminology aside, the book follows the narrative of Lucian, a self-confessed naai, who is just about self-aware enough to know that something in his life needs to change. In the midst of a life in shambles, Lucian comes up with nine steps to overcoming his naaiery. Somewhat of a self-created self-help manual in lieu of going to therapy (this would've been a much shorter book if Lucian just went to therapy!). Mia Ardene has once again managed to craft characters whose complexity carries the novel. Lucian is meant to be a deeply unlikeable character but his humanity shines through the rawness of Ardene's writing, making it so that even the biggest non-naai is sure to relate or at least sympathize with Lucian's struggles.
As Lucian wrestles with his inner demons and the outer world continues to throw him punches, he stumbles through a journey of self-discovery and... healing? Well, not quite, but something along those lines (he's trying). The result is a raucous, provocative, witty, and so very real novel that forces us to confront some of the greatest evils of the world, as well as some of the great evils within ourselves. It's thought-provoking, it's brutally honest, and it swings you between the pendulum of frustration and satisfaction. Ultimately, it's brilliant. As expected from an author I admire! (Love you Mia ❤️)
September 29, 2026
4.5 stars⭐️
Where do I even begin... This was my first book by Mia Arderne and I absolutely love her writing style.
This book definitely took me by surprise... no, it took me on a roller coaster ride!
I don't know what to say about our main character, Lucian. This bra literally made me so mad that I felt like I wanted to punch him in the face.
Lucian is a charming, funny, insecure and somewhat self-absorbed man going through a midlife crisis, whose desire to change clashes with his tendency to keep putting himself first.
He is a drunk and he doesn't always stop to consider the consequences before acting.
There are hints that he has enough self-awareness to recognise that something needs to change, although recognising the problem and actually changing are two different things.
You can understand why he does some of the things he does without agreeing with them. I felt sorry for Layla for putting up with him but I didn't expect the end at all, didn't expect that from her and it made me so mad. There are a lot of questionable characters in this book and it just shows you you don't really know the real person sitting next to you.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book so much. It made me laugh, it made me so mad, it made me question people and also, it made me think about how you live your life and how you let other people treat you.
Thank Jonathan Ball Publishers Local for the readalong.
Where do I even begin... This was my first book by Mia Arderne and I absolutely love her writing style.
This book definitely took me by surprise... no, it took me on a roller coaster ride!
I don't know what to say about our main character, Lucian. This bra literally made me so mad that I felt like I wanted to punch him in the face.
Lucian is a charming, funny, insecure and somewhat self-absorbed man going through a midlife crisis, whose desire to change clashes with his tendency to keep putting himself first.
He is a drunk and he doesn't always stop to consider the consequences before acting.
There are hints that he has enough self-awareness to recognise that something needs to change, although recognising the problem and actually changing are two different things.
You can understand why he does some of the things he does without agreeing with them. I felt sorry for Layla for putting up with him but I didn't expect the end at all, didn't expect that from her and it made me so mad. There are a lot of questionable characters in this book and it just shows you you don't really know the real person sitting next to you.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book so much. It made me laugh, it made me so mad, it made me question people and also, it made me think about how you live your life and how you let other people treat you.
Thank Jonathan Ball Publishers Local for the readalong.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2026
I love the format. Throughout the book I was thinking of so many people in my life, I was thinking about myself, and also weighing so many things while "assessing" us. Still thinking about what happened. Still thinking about the characters. Well done, Mia.
September 14, 2026
Such an interesting read... I enjoyed the concept and was very invested in Lucian's journey.
October 16, 2026
Rtc
But Mia Arderne has my whole heart
But Mia Arderne has my whole heart
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews