Rolling with the Punchlines: A Memoir

by Urzila Carlson

Written with her trademark deadpan humour, Urzila's memoir is full of great stories about both the big things in life and the little things.  Urzila's accidental beginning in stand-up has led to an incredibly successful career in comedy, with regular gigs on television as well as sell-out shows in comedy festivals across New Zealand and Australia.  But life hasn't always been a bundle of laughs. Urzila talks candidly about her childhood with a great family, apart from her abusive dad, and about growing up in South Africa. She shares crazy but true tales about her OE, her move to New Zealand, coming out, getting married and having children, and her life in comedy.  This is a great listen from one of our most loved and most popular comedians. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, Autobiography, Memoir, Humor

Audio CD

Published February 11, 2020

Reviews

[Ryan Buckby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this memoir and the way Urzila narrated and wrote this story just felt like i was having a chat over a cup of tea it was that good.

I loved the way she told her stories and how naturally funny her personality just shines through each page and i loved the audiobook for this book. Her comedic timing, non-one sided views and with the stories from her growing up to her starting out in comedy it all just fit perfectly.

I don't think i find that many comedians funny but Urzila for me is one of those few comedians i can get a generally laugh out of and never get tired of listening or watching from!

I highly recommend buying and listening to this book because it will make time go incredibly quick and will make time go faster.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this narrated audibook of Urzila's memoir.
She's been through quite a bit and tells a great story.
An Afrikaans accent can sometimes be hard on the ear, not so in Urzila's case, tempered by her fabulous irreverent, no nonsense, self-effacing attitude combined with her kindness, humour and non-bigoted views that are utterly refreshing and hilarious. Left me wanting to spend more time with her.
Hope she goes from strength to strength.

[Ben McCarthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Kitty Flanagan and Dave O’Neill, Urzila Carlson sticks out on Australian TV like a jewel in a sea of underachieving, smug mediocrity. She doesn’t disappoint with this book at all, there are heaps of laughs. I recommend reading it with an Afrikaans accent to get the full impact.

[N. N. Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first came across Urzila Carlson while watching 'Have You Been Paying Attention?' on Australian TV - the name and rough format lifted from the BBC's 'Have I Got News For You', though closer in tone to 'Mock the Week'.

She stood out for her Safa accent and, in the best possible way, loudmouth-ness. She may not be the most cerebral comedian, but I enjoy her force-of-personality style. The book flows well, and is written with candour, heart and (as you'd hope) humour.

(Accent-wise, South African is one of my favourites, though what I thought was an Antipodean tint on hers - noice, koind - I now know to be an Afrikaans one.)

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a top Sheila. I loved listening to Urzila tell her story in her fabulous Afrikaans accent, a story that is extraordinary as well as being fairly ordinary. She describes her childhood in South Africa, a no-good father, being poor but being raised by strong women. She’s funny, ballsy and in your face, I can see why some people would be offended by her as she puts herself and her opinions out there, apartheid, Nelson Mandela, homosexuality, gay marriage, take your pick - I think she’s brilliant. I can’t imagine a more adrenaline fuelled, difficult job than being a stand-up comedian and how she built her career is an interesting story but alongside that is one of ordinary family life, cruising along with a partner and kids and just doing her own thing.

[Tracey Pedersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this in Audiobook. I listened to it in the car and more than once I sprayed my Maccas coke over the steering wheel. It was quirky, funny, political and rude! Just what I love! Urzila is hilarious and I love her in everything I see her in. Definitely recommend!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Audiable inducing this free for the month I finally can listen to this book.

This book is just purely Ursula. The memoir is totally in her voice and listening to the audiobook gives the feeling of just being at a really long show of hers. The book, like Ursula doesn’t lie about what it is.

This memoir covers her childhood in South Africa during Apartheid, her OE to America and immigrating to NZ which gave her to opportunity to enter the comedy scene.

It was fascinating to found out more about her life before she became one of the best comedians in the kiwi scene.

The narration is spot on. Ursula is so laid back and natural, it really felt like she was right there telling me the stories. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook over the book itself as you get more of the comedic timing from her narration style. But the book is still worth a look as there are some pretty cool photos.

[KylieAtkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐ I really only know Urzila from Australia's 'Have You Been Paying Attention?', where I find her very quick witted and hilarious. Whilst I found it fairly funny, it wasn't the laugh-fest I thought it would be. I did find out plenty about her childhood and about her accidental start to the comedy life. Growing up in South Africa makes me appreciate growing up in Australia all the more. Some of the tales were just average tales like we all have. I found the second half more enjoyable than the first, maybe this is where she found her stride in life. I'm not sure if I enjoyed her voicing the audiobook. It's not her accent, more the upward lilt that didn't sit as well. I'm glad I listened to it though.

[Erin Grigson Baylis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting a barrel of laughs from this book and it did not disappoint. However, it was also a broad history of Urzila's upbringing and life that led her into comedy. It was written just like what I imagine a conversation with her would sound like... so not always with beginning, middle, end in that order, but where we can still understand the idea of what she says by the end of each chapter. And it's wrapped up in a pretty good bow at the end. If you're a fan of Urzila Carlson, read this book. If you're not a fan, you should be! Read this book and then you might get an idea of how great a comedian she is!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Urzila even more than I did before I read this memoir. She got me in fits of laughter and also pulled at my heartstrings!!! What a beautiful memoir. I listened to the audio version and it’s Urzila herself narrating it and I urge everyone to read this. She’s so authentic and easy to listen to and super unapologetic like she should be! I wish she had a sibling and that sibling was me. I had a single mum and have a husband. Some dads… *sigh* You’ll understand why I mentioned this once you read/listen to this book lol!

[Lisa Lotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful funny lady who had been through some awful times and risen to great heights.
This book (narrated by Urzila) was full of humour and her outright strength and love for her country and her family shone through.
She spoke so openly and honestly about her life and loves and her no nonsense attitude resonated with me.
If you don’t mind some (a lot) of cursing and some straight up talk then this is well worth the read.

[Gill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Urzila Carlson is a South African-Kiwi comic that my wife came across on Facebook. She's very funny and - hurrah - we've got tickets for her UK tour later this year.

With Urzila, what you see is what you get - large, loud and lesbitarian. :-)
Her memoir is in exactly that style and the audiobook is the ideal format. She comes across as warm and open, and although I don't agree with all of her opinions, this was a good listen.

[Shanae Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read! I particularly enjoyed it as an audiobook to hear from Urzila herself.

Had some great laughs along the way and stories were told in a narrative that was easy to follow along to. I have never been to one of her shows, but have seen video clips of her and watched her on TV, this book has made me want to see one of her shows, and I will go if she is at the 2024 Melbourne comedy festival.

[Agnes Fajcíková · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Urzila, thanks to Netflix for introducing her to us. It was clear to me, that I would love this audiobook after the first five minutes. I knew that she is funny, now I know that she so much more than that. Clever and brave, a woman who travelled a lot and worked pretty hard for becoming who she is today. This audiobook was a great addition to my collection for long walks with my dog.

[Lucy Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir was released in Australia in 2019 on the same day as mine! We sat on shelves together for a year or so but it took until now for me to read/listen to it. Bloody loved it. So funny, real. I also love a book that tells the reader to FUCK OFF because this is the only book she'll be writing. Ha! Five stars.

[Rebecca Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun listen! Urzila Carlson is certainly more than meets the eye, and this memoir lets us into moments of her life that are equal parts tragic and inspiring. Don't expect a comic rollercoaster, but do expect to learn things along the way and be completely entertained the whole time. No regrets over this read (inside joke, you'll get it when you read it!)

[Kerryn Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like many I watched Urzila on Have you been paying attention. Her memoir was interesting and entertaining with plenty of laugh out loud moments. Her life to where she is now has been quite a ride and I enjoyed hearing about it.

[Melisa Kundakcilar · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good to listen to Urzila narrate her stories. She was funny! But it wasn’t quite well written like other comedians’ memoirs I’ve read. Each chapter was something new from her life and while it was nice to hear about her life adventures, they were okay.

[Bel Beggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lot of good fun. Listened to the audio narrated by Urzila herself....had a few moments where I laughed hard!!! An interesting childhood, humble about her beginnings in comedy and an all round lovely soul. It was like sitting down and having a chat with someone.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. Highly recommend this audiobook.

[Kerree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love Urzila's book. She is so funny and the stories are genuinely interesting.

[TryHardTracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It would have been four stars if it wasn't for those annoying huge bolded repeat phrases every couple of pages.

[Karina Fleijsman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this as an Audiobook, Im glad I did as the book is narrated by Urzila. I bought the book for the comedy but stayed for the story.

[april · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely love Urzila Carlson and I definitely loved listening to her audiobook. She made the book fun with the variety in tone and expression. It was fun and sad and everything in between.

[Lauren B · Rating 4 out of 5]

The audio for this was awesome. It was raw, emotional, yet laugh out loud in some areas. Was great learning more about Urzila.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to hear the life story of one of my favourite comedians. If you're a Urzila fan, this is a must listen.

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Generous, heartfelt and funny.

[Kim Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Urzila, thank you for narrating your own story it really brought it to life for me. I love watching you on have you been paying attention & one day would love to meet you in person.

[Jennah Sobevski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Urzila Carlson and this audiobook did not disappoint!she was so candid about everything she’s been through and I found myself captivated by her story!

[Nicki Sharpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raw, honest and confronting at times but a thoroughly awesome read. It’s factual, familiar and informative with all her comic and personality thrown in.