What Would Beyoncé Do?!

by Luisa Omielan

You know when you find yourself approaching thirty and your dreams are broken? You've got a temping career going nowhere, a student debt that’s mounting and you've just had to move back into your mum’s house. Then to top it all off, you get absolutely annihilated with heartbreak because of an ex, who is just ‘not ready’ but then manages to be ready, a week later, with someone else. And it is here, at your lowest point, that one of your best friends decides to remind you that you are the same age as Beyoncé. FML. Luisa Omielan is a stand-up comedian who turned her life around after she answered the mantra every person needs in their What Would Beyoncé Do?! Hilariously funny, wonderfully uplifting and brutally honest, Luisa's memoir shows us all that there is no situation in which Bey can’t save the day.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Comedy, Humor, Feminism, Biography, Memoir

368 pages, Hardcover

Published July 14, 2016

Reviews

[Hui Goh · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audiobook is like listening to a 7-hour standup session. What's not to love?

[Giulia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming, honest, mental health awareness, and hitting hard against slut-shaming, A++. Her delivery on the audiobook was very entertaining, I felt like I was listening to a funny friend.
This was a completely random buy on audible, I had no idea who Luisa was before this. Some parts were a bit dull, and it was starting to get repetitive towards the end. But I'm absolutely going to look up her stand-up after listening to this!

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook, read by Luisa herself. It really adds to the experience and makes a funny book all the better with the voices she does.

[Regitze Xenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing and empowering reading experience and I loved it. Luisa Omielan is an inspiration, her tone is so witty and full of self-irony, but make no mistake, she’s a fierce woman going after her dreams and I admire her. I also want to watch her shows, because she made me laugh and cry and feel transparent and /seen/ and strong with her words. Absolutely would recommend!

[Kelin Carroll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! Luisa is the kind of woman every girl needs in her life! Will pump you up, will give you a healthy dose of reality and will be hilarious af while doing it all. Honestly devastated the book wasn't longer. I'm now obsessed and looking for tour dates

[Lianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman is truly an inspiration. I saw her perform Politics for Bitches in Newport and have loved her every since. She is raw, and truthful, open and beautiful. She deserves every success. This book is a wonderful read/ listen and encourages women to empower themselves.

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of Luisa Omielan before browsing the Storytel app for something fun to listen to. I'm glad I did, it was a very good audiobook! I liked how she was all over the place with the stories in a structured way (if that makes sense) and that she was not afraid to be vulnerable and talk about mental health issues and heartbreaks.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing a book that's funny and has a message is more like baking than cooking--you have to get your ratios just right. Not too many throw away one liners, not too preachy, and for god's sake, don't copy-paste your blog. Luisa Omielan nails it. The cover and title might make you think this is frothy and frivolous, and I almost gave up during the unnecessarily silly introduction, but this is a smart behind the scenes look at how the stand up comedy industry works and a funny, frank, and charming take on trying to succeed in the face of sexism, ageism, and ridiculous beauty standards. I absolutely loved this.

[Cassie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious and listening to Luisa Omielan narrate the audio edition is like a 7 hour stand-up comedy performance. It's magical. If this book isn't a modern feminist manifesto, I don't know what is. I laughed out loud, cried out loud, and could not wipe the smile of my face at the end of it. Now I just have to wait for her to come back to Australia so I can see one of her shows. In the meantime, I could listen to this book over and over.

[Jessica Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favourite comedians! I loved her shows and following her online and now getting to see more of what was going on behind the scenes. As someone who is making a career change and trying to make a go of it in her late 20s like Luisa was, this was very comforting. Go go Luisa, everyone needs to know your name!

[Michala · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Luisa's comedy, you'll like this book. It's like an extended version of her shows, but with an even deeper and more raw insight into her journey through childhood, family, romance, career and personal growth. It'll make you both laugh and cry, and love her even more.

All in all funny, authentic and inspiring!

[Andrew Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autobiographical material by a performer can be amongst the most entertaining. This one s a fine example, particularly if you catch the audio version. Luisa tells her story with honesty and pace, manic at times reflecting her life at those times. Read this completely against my normal read, on impulse and loved every minute of it.

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this as an Audio Book and it was fantastic. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I was angry, and I simply felt good. Hearing Luisa Omielan read the book was great. Highly recommend it.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I had to sum up this book in one word it would be inspiring, which is not what I was expecting. This is such an empowering read about chasing your dreams and never giving up, Luisa is identifiable, I think most people would be able to identify with the initial mindset of drifting through life doing jobs that you aren't keen on just to make some money but lacking the confidence to pursue your real dream job. After reading this you will feel motivated.

I first heard of Luisa about 10 years ago when her show 'What Would Beyonce Do?!' was really popular and a friend was waxing lyrical about how amazing it was after seeing it at one of the London shows. At the time I dismissed it after reading a few reviews describing it along the lines of "comedy for a hen night audience" which is far from being my thing. I only include this information in my review because I think those reviews did Luisa a huge disservice and it also forms a point that she makes within her book about how snidey people were about the show and how it faced classism. I am a big comedy fan and have had an interest in the industry for many years and I cannot comprehend how Luisa is not currently a bigger name, WWBD?! was by far one of the most talked about shows of the time, to the point I was (with respect) sick of hearing about it, yet it does not seem to have equated to TV appearances etc. However during this time lesser known shows by usually male comedians have pushed through to mainstream television and it does make you question the politics at play. I found it interesting to read Luisa's perspective on this in the book.

Before reading the book I hadn't seen Luisa's stand-up show 'What Would Beyonce Do?!' but I have since watched it and I think it is worth noting that a lot of the material within the book comes directly from the show. However I actually preferred the book, naturally the stand-up show is focused upon getting the laughs in whereas in the book the material is given more space for depth and explanation of anecdotes and conclusions as well as being funny. I also felt Luisa's guard was down more in the book, the stand-up show seems to be delivered by a persona and I preferred it when Luisa was being more natural. The book made me laugh and cry and it isn't just focused on comedy, it covers mental health issues, family dynamics and relationships too and is equally as sensitive as it is funny. Luisa discusses and challenges sexism and beauty standards and I particularly enjoyed these sections for their modern-day feminist take.

The reason I have not given the book 5 stars is because I was less keen on the relationship sections, it wasn't something I could identify with and it was similar to the dramas you would get in a rom-com movie of which I have no interest in but I highly recommend this book to women everywhere.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook of this and I definitely think it adds something to the way you consume the book.

I have never seen Luisa Omielan perform live, nor had I even heard of her prior to listening to this book. Why, then, would you - of all things - pick up an autobiography of someone you don't know, I hear you cry. Well, quite frankly, I was in two minds about it; but, after hearing the sample and being able to purchase it for a bargain price, I thought: why not give it a shot?

I'm so glad I did. I'm not a wide consumer of autobiographies; so I don't have tonnes of tomes to compare it to, but Luisa's performance was so endearing and the subject matter so true to life that I couldn't help but enjoy the experience!

Luisa talks about her family, growing up, her journey to becoming a comedian, her sex life and relationship issues as well as highlighting the pressures of modern life and its impact on general health and mental wellbeing. She performs this in an almost stream-of-consciousness style narrative, flitting between thoughts and changing the conversation in a way that one is able to do with a close friend who knows you well. As a result, you certainly feel like you do know Luisa well and that it would be quite nice to see her perform live, to fully round off the experience.

I can only fault the book for the sometimes-tenuous connections between topics (thanks to the stream-of-consciousness feel) and what felt like a hurried ending. I could have happily listened to a book that was double in length, despite it making embarrassing outbursts of laughter on public transport and other areas a heck of a lot more likely!

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luisa Omielan (2016) WHAT WOULD BEYONCÉ DO?! (AUDIOBOOK)
BorrowBox - Random House Audiobooks

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 out of 5 stars

BorrowBox writes, "You know when you find yourself approaching 30 and your dreams are broken? You've got a temping career going nowhere and a student debt that's mounting, and you've just had to move back into your mum's house. Then, to top it all off, you get absolutely annihilated with heartbreak because of an ex who is just 'not ready' but then manages to be ready, a week later, with someone else. And it is here, at your lowest point, that one of your best friends decides to remind you that you are the same age as Beyoncé. FML. Luisa Omielan is a stand-up comedian who turned her life around after she answered the mantra every person needs in their life: What Would Beyoncé Do?! Hilariously funny, wonderfully uplifting and brutally honest, Luisa's memoir shows us all that there is no situation in which Bey can't save the day."
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Full. On. 🤣
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[Anni Millar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this cause I listened to her audio book to drown out the other folks shit chat on the train, and it was so funny and frank - just what I needed to get me through a couple of days rush hour commute. I found myself LOL, actually honestly, laughing out loud! I waited with a bunch of folk to cross the street, middle of Glasgow, and folk must have been like WTF is up with that maniac woman chuckling away to herself haha. Read it, actually download the audiobook, cause it pure puts you in a good mood and she feels like one of your besties!! Go LUISA, GO BITCHES!! Haha #puredeadbrilliantshelf

[Beth LeBeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t even put into words how much I loved this book. This girl is SO FUNNY and writes about so many truths and just is so unbelievably relatable I want to be her friend. I literally stalked her Instagram after I finished. Her voice is so beautiful and her story is one that needs to be shared with every woman in the world. I want to go to see her live, she is just truly incredible and I feel like I need to send her more money for this book. She sold it for $2 on amazon and I bought it after I cracked up listening to her on a podcast I randomly found. I love her. I’m obsessed with her. This book is magic and FUCKING brilliant ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Rosa Miles-Seeley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tone of this book made me feel like I was having a conversation with Luisa Omielan, I felt so close to the protagonist in a way that I do to all my favourite book characters. It reminded me a little of the way I could relate to Francesca in 'Saving Francesca' by Melina Marchetta.

The way Omielan takes you on her journey of struggle and defiance of obstacles is so vivid that you feel the highs and the lows along with her. If nothing else her intrepidness fueled by a desire to do what she truly felt destined to was inspiring and made me realise how much 'successful' people have generally had to go through to get where they are.

[Lilia · Rating 4 out of 5]

An honest and humorous memoir about seemingly everything that went on in Luisa Omielan's life in the past few years. There is not a lot of structure with the stories and the writing, and sometimes chapters seem to end abruptly, but it all somehow works. I have never actually seen any of Omielan's standup, but it was still an interesting read for me.

[Haylea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word, I have loved luisa from the moment I saw her on Live At The Apollo, She's so down to earth and is the first person to speak candidly about some rough situations! She is a great stand up and feminist and I thoroughly recommend this book to anyone in need of re-evaluating their lives (or to restore their faith in humanity!).

[Ellie (bookmadbarlow) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the Audiobook of this which was really funny. Like listening to a standup routine through most of it, although there were some very important topics thrown in.
Well worth the listen/reading if you fancy an empowering book that may change your views on how you see yourself.

[Jess C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better than I expected with flashes of brilliance. I enjoyed hearing about the fringe festival, her creation/dedication to stand-up comedy, and her take on feminism. I tired of her love affair. Listened to this on audiobook and she was a charming narrator.

[Emily Guscott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a book that I would usually read but pretty enjoyable all the same. However, I listened to the audiobook version of this book and would suggest listening to it through headphones as there is a lot of adult content throughout.

[Shubheksha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love raw, bare-it-all, beautiful, naked memoirs and this was definitely one of them. It reads like watching a stand-up itself. I listened to the audio book and I think I enjoyed that much more bc she's such an enthusiastic narrator.

[Renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny lady in print

[MostMagenta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audio book read by Luisa is really entertaining. Luisa has charisma and obviously a great sense of humour. The book was fun, empowering and relatable.

[Lauren Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So honest, relatable and of course very funny

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!

[Charlie Hitchins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comedy and therapy all in one - brilliant!