Bridge Burning and Other Hobbies

by Kitty Flanagan

Once my fingers were fully cheezelled, I moved up to the cocktail Frankfurt bowl and started poking those things into my mouth as fast as I could dip them in the red sauce. How on earth they make horse nostrils and sawdust so damn tasty is a mystery, but hats off to Huttons.

From running with a bad crowd in kindergarten to her junk food modus operandi at kids' parties and enduring a 'Yoga Guantanamo' camp, the fabulous anecdotes from Kitty Flanagan's life will take you on a hilarious trip down memory lane.

Kitty's observations about relationships, whether it be travelling around South America with a dud boyfriend, her brief affair with a graveyard digger or sussing out potential new dates are highly amusing. And though not a fan of the 'it's not you, it's me' breakup line, she wasn't quite prepared for an ex-boyfriend reciting a hand-written list of her faults when he dumped her.

On the career front, Kitty recalls working in a crayfish-factory where she annoyed her boss so much that one day he locked her in a freezer. And she well and truly burnt her bridges at a stand-up venue in Singapore when she responded to her employer's enquiry about her 'moustache'.

Confirming her reputation as one of Australia's top comedians, Kitty Flanagan's Bridge Burning and Other Hobbies is a laugh-out loud, entertaining and endearing yarn.

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

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 21, 2018

Reviews

[Meags · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

After reading (and LOVING) Kitty Flanagan's 488 Rules for Life, I had to immediately deep-dive into her first book, in a mad attempt to soak up as much of her awesomeness as humanly possible.

Bridge Burning and Other Hobbies is a simple collection of personal and often hilarious anecdotes, including childhood memories, travel adventures, work experiences, and insightful musings into past failed relationships, all told with raw honesty and a cracking sense of humour.

If you're a fan of Kitty, reading this is a no-brainer. But if it's a possibility, I highly recommend the audio edition (of this and her other book), because hearing Kitty tell her own tales is an experience not to be missed!

[Melissa (Mel’s Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that the year is over at uni I am desperate to get back into reading. However, this year has been so traumatic on my brain (in a good way), that even reading seems to be too much for me right now. Which is not great when one of your main hobbies is reviewing books…

So when I looked at my increasing audible credits that I have been ignoring (because even listening to books took up too much study time) I thought there was NO WAY I could listen to an epic fantasy, or a drawn-out drama. I wanted something I would enjoy and not have to think too much.

When I saw on ‘Have You Been Paying Attention’, that Kitty Flanagan had a new book out, I thought “PERFECT! She’s funny! I like funny! I can listen to funny without my brain exploding!” So I purchased this book – not realising it is not actually her latest book at all – a point I only just realised as I was getting all the information ready for this post. But all is not lost, because now I have yet another funny book on my to-listen list!

Not so much an autobiography, as it is a “funny stories from life” book, Kitty managed to make me cackle uncontrollably on numerous occasions with stories about her younger years, ever-entertaining love-life and entry into the comedy world.

Did I enjoy the audio version?
The audio version was great with her distinctive voice and sarcastic wit, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I was easily able to relate to some of her awkward stories, her curly mop of hair and stories of love and life in Sydney.

Her humour is like it always is, sarcastic and thoroughly enjoyable. There were a few spit drinks and moments at the shops where strangers were looking at me funny for seemingly spontaneously laughing in the milk section, because they couldn’t see my ear phones through my mop of curly hair.

I loved it. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Ryan Buckby · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read: January 9th 2019
Re-read: December 28th 2023

I am almost ashamed to admit how much I love getting a laugh-for me, it is still the ultimate high. Admittedly, I don't take a lot of drugs.

Kitty Flanagan is one of my favourite aussie women comedians that i've grown up with and this book just felt like i was at one of her shows.


She can make any thing she does entertaining and it's something that i feel that i need when i want to see a comedian at one of their shows, This book is like that because you get those laugh out loud laughs that i need from time to time.

Kitty is a very good storyteller and something that makes her being a comedian even better because all the stories she shares in this one she provides with humour.


She didn't have to make this book funny she could have done a straight up autobiography without any of the laughs but she wrote something different which i loved, if you ever need a pick me up and need some laughs i would highly recommended this one because Kitty Flanagan brings the laughs.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was amazing. Kitty is a goddess.
I laughed out loud, and I deeply appreciated her honesty - turns out she's as crazy as me.

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had I told my mother I was writing an autobiography, she’d quite rightly have asked, ‘Why?’ Instead, this is a book of true stories and ill-informed opinions. And I believe it was Paul Simon who once said, ‘Your opinion is not important, it is merely of interest.’ So, while this book is not important, I do hope you will find it of interest. Most of all, I hope you will find it funny because that really is my favourite thing.”

I did find it mildly interesting, Kitty, but mostly I found it funny. I smiled a lot, laughed out loud a few times, and spat out my drink at least once.

Kitty and I are of the same generation, so we share similar childhood experiences and attitudes. I enjoy her self deprecating humour, and her witty observations.

The only thing I thought the book lacked was a handful of photos from Kitty’s childhood.

[Ken Brandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love her sense of humor and kindness. If you like her stand-up comedy routines, you will like this audio book. A series of interesting and funny stories about her life. Just as you would expect: she is a fine narrator.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could hear Flanagan’s voice as I snorted my way through this book. Very funny, loved all the stories, love her.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and something different to break up the murder books.

[Jay Dwight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitty Flanagan is one of my favourite comedians, so I expected this one to be full of laughs.

It did not disappoint, with many laugh out loud moments where I had to stop to re-read and share a paragraph or two with my partner.

And there's even a surprise twist at the end !

[Rebecca Bowyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! Kitty Flanagan is one of my favourite comedians. Reading Burning Bridges & other hobbies was like enjoying a stand-up routine in print. And every bit as funny!

[Tara T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible audio book read by Kitty


An amusing, occasional giggle out loud, collection of anecdotes about her life. I’ve always liked her frank, sarcastic, dry and no nonsense style of humour. It’s a reminiscence of her life and reflections.

A nice easy listen/read with some interesting insight and a lot of self deprecation. She has no problem in highlighting the interesting and not particularly advisable to repeat parts of her life.

I will never use a spa in a public place again
I’m rethinking the pluses of bidets.
I think I’m now turned off plumbers as partner potential.

[Stefe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Kitty Flanagan as a comedian, find her extremely funny, and rarely miss an opportunity to watch her. However, although there were a couple of laugh out loud moments in this book I think Kitty’s stories translate so much better as stand up comedy.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many Americans, I recently learned of Kitty Flanagan by watching her TV series “Fisk” on Netflix. In addition to be pretty damned funny, it is set in suburban Melbourne, where I spent a winter as an exchange student — and even 50 years later, the street settings felt familiar. I wanted more of Ms. Flanagan and was delighted to find this book on CD, read by her. I’m tempted to say performed rather than read. After a stint in copyrighting, Flanagan became a standup comic. Listening to her book is almost like 5.5 hours of standup. It’s not all laughs — she’s quite introspective at times — but I guffawed often. As she says at the outset, it’s not an autobiography per se, but rather a collection of true stories and opinions, assembled in somewhat chronological order. I found it delightful, a perfect companion on some recent drives (my only CD player at present is in my car). If Kitty ever tours the US, I’ll be first in line for tickets.

[Paul (Life In The Slow Lane) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a pineapple suppository...but...

I think this is my fourth TV comedian book I've read. To date, only Spike Milligan has written a book that I thought was as funny as his radio/live performances. I'm not a fan of stand-up comedy. I think Dave Allen is the only one I can appreciate (sorry Gerry Seinfeld).

Kitty Flanagan is much funnier on TV than in book form. Her book isn't painful...like...you know...having a whole pineapple shoved up your bottom. It does have a few spots where I smiled, or laughed. Jeez, there was a lot of padding though. She must have gone on for like 20 pages how she disliked tattoos. Boring; not funny. I skimmed a few chapters.

Hey, Kitty! Rather than write another book, do another series of Fisk. That was excellent.

[Riley Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first biography I’ve read in a while, and I’m really glad I chose to pick up this book.

There were things to laugh about in every chapter, ranging from having a chuckle to embarrassingly laughing on public transport (guilty). This book also offered me a little bit of hope, because as a uni student with no idea what I want to do, I could relate to Kitty when she talks about feeling a bit lost in the world.

If you want a sort-of biography that’ll keep you entertained throughout, I’d recommend this.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Kitty i think she is amazing and hilarious and this book didnt disappoint it had some really good laugh out loud moments :)

[Sally906 · Rating 5 out of 5]

So funny - perfect road trip audio book

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

[Mandy Partridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stand Up Comedian Kitty Flanagan has brought her humour to a fictional form, and it translates very well. Well traveled, self-deprecating, smart and funny, I can't understand why Kitty can't get a boyfriend either?

[sarahh · Rating 3 out of 5]

probs worth a 3.5

[Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Kitty Flanagan; I enjoyed her in the Sketch Show UK and even more so in her segments on The Project. When her book 488 Rules for Life came out, having seen and loved that segment, I was straight onto it. And I loved it. I wasn't aware she has another book at the time; I learned this and added it to my list to read. Fast forward a little bit, and I see it sitting on the shelf at my local bookstore having been re-released. I grabbed it without a second thought.

Bridge Burning and Other Hobbies was a very easy read, with short segments in each section, it was easy to pick up and read a couple between other tasks which is always nice when you're stretched for time. The book was well written, and definitely in a style that is distinctly Kitty Flanagan. Reading it makes it very easy to picture her sharing these stories; she writes how she talks and it is fantastic. It really captures the essence of her humour. There were a few points where I actually laughed out loud while reading, which is unusual for me, so it gets two big thumbs up for that alone. On top of that, it had some good life lessons to learn which is an unexpected bonus!

If you're a fan of Kitty Flanagan, of 488 Rules for Life, or you just like quirky but amusing life stories and lessons, then I would definitely recommend giving this book a go!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to read Kitty’s book as the goodreads biography group had set the July 2019 challenge to “read a book that could be tagged ‘humour’” and Kitty is one of my favourite comedians. Kitty’s book is a series of stories and antidotes taken from her life,written with humour and presented in chronological order starting in her childhood. I enjoyed some stories more than others. I am a similar age to Kitty so I appreciated some of her humorous observations like this one from the chapter on Primary school birthday parties: “it (the 1970s) was an era when little girls dressed like little girls rather than like miniature tramps working the back streets of kings cross”.
If you feel like a light read and a bit of a laugh, this book is for you

[Gabrielle Geddes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars. An honest portrayal of life growing up as an Australian. I loved this book so much! I connectted with Kitty Flanagan's style so well as her sense of humour is so similar to mine. I found myself laughing out loud numerous times, the anecdotes were so relatable. Listening to her narrate the audiobook was just delightful, she really put such soul and vibrance into the words, a true performance. Possibly my favourite celebrity autobiography to date!

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mildly entertaining at points but as a whole I find Kitty to be wildly hypocritical and juvenile.
This isn’t due to her decisions/behaviours in the past but rather her reflection of them seemingly lacking any growth or maturity.
Moreover many of her jokes in this book rely on outdated stereotypes which feel cheap and judgemental.
Personally I found it not funny enough for a comedy book and not insightful enough for an autobiography.

[Kandyb · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10
I just love her so much.
She is so down to earth and seems like a genuine person.
So many times in this book I laughed out loud and was giggling to myself and even later, i would think about it again and it would make me smile.
That's what Kitty (and this book) does, it makes me laugh and smile and makes my heart happy.
100% would reccomend

[DonutKnow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, down-to-earth and so relatable! I loved listening to Kitty Flanagan especially with her as the narrator because it was like listening to a whole comedic sketch of her life 😁
Thank you Kitty Flanagan for sharing these funny and sometimes embarrassing moments 🙏🙏

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

She’s an awesome comedian and I really enjoyed reading this!

[Nez · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Light, enjoyable read with some bits that make you laugh out loud.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitty is even more entertaining in print than she is on TV. I just love her crazy way of telling tales about her crazy family and her adventures.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book! I think if you're a fan of Kitty Flanagan you're bound to enjoy this.