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Don't Laugh, It'll Only Encourage Her
Life hasn't always been straightforward for Daisy May Cooper: growing up in rural poverty in Gloucestershire with her brother Chaz, she had to work a myriad of low-paid and unrewarding jobs just to make ends meet. Don't Laugh, It Will Only Encourage Her is the endearingly honest and hilarious memoir from the creator and star of award-winning BBC comedy This Country.
____
When things were really bad, Mum would always say to me:
'Don't worry, it will be a good read for your memoir one day.'
'Mum, I auditioned to be a stripper by snogging a pole and was laughed off the stage by a bunch of topless dancers.'
'Well that can go in the memoir.'
'Mum, I spent all my student loan accidently on a penthouse suite in a fancy hotel in Marble Arch, now I face getting kicked out of drama school.'
'That's a good one for the memoir.'
'Mum, sorry I'm late for dinner, I had to work late at my cleaning job because someone balanced a Quaver packet full of piss on the radiator in the boy's toilets, and I didn't realise until I picked it up, so I had to wash the piss off me in the sink while trying to learn my lines for that Call the Midwife audition I have in London tomorrow.'
'Memoir...'
I have lived the most humiliating, ridiculous, screw-up of a life but Mum was right, you've just got to remember, sometimes the worst experiences make the most entertaining stories.
_____
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2021
284 people are currently reading
2518 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 558 reviews
February 8, 2024
I'm a fan of the BBC comedy, This Country, starring Daisy May Cooper and brother, Charlie. When I discovered she had written a memoir, I had to read it!
If you enjoy the show, then you will probably like this, because the humour is the same. I had to keep pausing from so much laughter. Even though it was unable to maintain it for the duration, it was still one of the funniest books I’ve read in years.
We follow Daisy’s story from growing up in Cirencester with brother, Charlie, to the start of BAFTA-winning, This Country. To say it wasn’t an easy journey is an understatement. Daisy lays it all out there; including financial hardships, toxic boyfriends, and the roller coaster of trying to forge an acting career.
“It was grim. And quite brutal. The people who had made the cut were happy, obviously; those who hadn’t were back to a life on the dole.”
Real and authentic, it often read like a series of episodes in the life of Daisy. It felt unique, much like her comedy. Some anecdotes were heartbreaking, others hilarious. It was fascinating to catch a glimpse into her creative process – even from an early age. The pictures were brilliant too. Among stories I found most memorable were Doc Martin, her online boyfriend (missing an arm), and her different jobs (denim cartel, cleaning). Some detailed tangents would’ve been right at home as a monologue on This Country.
“The rabbits were simple folk who ran the local swimming pool, which was a cereal bowl full of cold water and a slide I’d made out of an old toilet-roll tube. The badgers ran the post office. They had an illegitimate child that was actually a panda.”
She may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but I don’t think she cares. I couldn’t help but feel inspired as she kept chipping away at her dream, ultimately creating her own success. Chapter 14 was a particular standout, as her raw honesty meant she was no longer hiding behind a comedic mask in regards to the most difficult times.
“I’ve been avoiding mirrors for such a long time I even brush my teeth with my eyes closed so I don’t catch myself.”
The book ended rather abruptly with This Country – I would’ve liked more on this major part of her life, and how success impacted her and Charlie. I guess that will be another book. A must-read if you’re a fan of the show. Thanks for the laughs, Daisy.
“Charlie and I cleaned by night and wrote by day.”
If you enjoy the show, then you will probably like this, because the humour is the same. I had to keep pausing from so much laughter. Even though it was unable to maintain it for the duration, it was still one of the funniest books I’ve read in years.
We follow Daisy’s story from growing up in Cirencester with brother, Charlie, to the start of BAFTA-winning, This Country. To say it wasn’t an easy journey is an understatement. Daisy lays it all out there; including financial hardships, toxic boyfriends, and the roller coaster of trying to forge an acting career.
“It was grim. And quite brutal. The people who had made the cut were happy, obviously; those who hadn’t were back to a life on the dole.”
Real and authentic, it often read like a series of episodes in the life of Daisy. It felt unique, much like her comedy. Some anecdotes were heartbreaking, others hilarious. It was fascinating to catch a glimpse into her creative process – even from an early age. The pictures were brilliant too. Among stories I found most memorable were Doc Martin, her online boyfriend (missing an arm), and her different jobs (denim cartel, cleaning). Some detailed tangents would’ve been right at home as a monologue on This Country.
“The rabbits were simple folk who ran the local swimming pool, which was a cereal bowl full of cold water and a slide I’d made out of an old toilet-roll tube. The badgers ran the post office. They had an illegitimate child that was actually a panda.”
She may not be everybody’s cup of tea, but I don’t think she cares. I couldn’t help but feel inspired as she kept chipping away at her dream, ultimately creating her own success. Chapter 14 was a particular standout, as her raw honesty meant she was no longer hiding behind a comedic mask in regards to the most difficult times.
“I’ve been avoiding mirrors for such a long time I even brush my teeth with my eyes closed so I don’t catch myself.”
The book ended rather abruptly with This Country – I would’ve liked more on this major part of her life, and how success impacted her and Charlie. I guess that will be another book. A must-read if you’re a fan of the show. Thanks for the laughs, Daisy.
“Charlie and I cleaned by night and wrote by day.”
November 2, 2021
This is a very interesting book. I know it's supposed to make me laugh, but I just felt so very sad for Daisy May and her family - growing up in chaos, dealing with loss and severe financial worries.
The stories about applying for drama courses, and eventually RADA, dreadful auditions, semi-abusive relationships, none of it felt humorous. I expect hearing the author telling the stories would be very different, but reading them on a page left me desperately sorry that she and her family had been through so much.
I love This Country, and reading about her early life showed how much of it has been written into the scripts, but I almost wish I hadn't read it. I hope writing it helped her, or at least makes her a shedload of money.
The stories about applying for drama courses, and eventually RADA, dreadful auditions, semi-abusive relationships, none of it felt humorous. I expect hearing the author telling the stories would be very different, but reading them on a page left me desperately sorry that she and her family had been through so much.
I love This Country, and reading about her early life showed how much of it has been written into the scripts, but I almost wish I hadn't read it. I hope writing it helped her, or at least makes her a shedload of money.
April 10, 2022
I'm a big fan of Daisy May Cooper and the wonderful This Country, and picked up Don't Laugh, It'll Only Encourage Her in an Audible deal.
To say the Cooper family had it tough is an understatement. They often struggled to pay their rent and feed themselves. Despite this there are some wonderfully funny stories from Daisy's childhood. The family also always believed in her dream to become an actor which was characterised by setback after setback.
If you like Daisy this is well worth a read. You'll have even more respect for her and her brother, as well as being thoroughly entertained too. Daisy's narration for the audiobook version is wonderful. There's also a fun bonus interview by her Dad for the audiobook.
4/5
To say the Cooper family had it tough is an understatement. They often struggled to pay their rent and feed themselves. Despite this there are some wonderfully funny stories from Daisy's childhood. The family also always believed in her dream to become an actor which was characterised by setback after setback.
If you like Daisy this is well worth a read. You'll have even more respect for her and her brother, as well as being thoroughly entertained too. Daisy's narration for the audiobook version is wonderful. There's also a fun bonus interview by her Dad for the audiobook.
4/5
December 29, 2021
Daisy was such a tonic during the lockdowns with her Instagram romance escapades, so I couldn’t wait to read this. Safe to say, I absolutely devoured this book - Daisy is just such a breath of fresh air. Within a few pages I was actually laughing out loud and reading bits out to my family. I can’t wait to see what Daisy does next, but in the meantime I’ll carry on rewatching This Country and scrolling through her Instagram feed.
November 9, 2021
This book isn't funny? Daisy treats her friends, family and random by standers like complete shit? Having read Bob Mortimers book recently that has a lot of similar stories but told with much more heart this book just didn't gel for me. It feels really self centred and mean spirited.
March 1, 2023
First of all, a warning. If you've read all those reviews calling this book "Hilarious!" and "Uproariously funny!" and "A riotous, rollicking, laugh-out-loud rollercoaster of a read!", please don't start reading this book expecting it to be a laugh a minute, because you'll be bitterly disappointed.
Yes, Don't Laugh... *is* funny, don't misunderstand me; it's bawdy, hilarious, wince-inducing, rude, self-deprecating, vulgar, and brutally honest, but there are also moments of real darkness. There's the battle Daisy May and brother Charlie had to get back the rights to their own work from a production company who'd promised so much but delivered so little, and Daisy's own battles with low self-esteem and fear of having ideas "above her station". Above all, there are the years of grinding poverty the Cooper family experienced, and the lengths they had to go to in order to survive.
But this *is* a fantastic read, even though she terrifies me as a person! Cooper's writing style is fluid, vivid, articulate, and devoid of self-pity.
Highly recommended!
Yes, Don't Laugh... *is* funny, don't misunderstand me; it's bawdy, hilarious, wince-inducing, rude, self-deprecating, vulgar, and brutally honest, but there are also moments of real darkness. There's the battle Daisy May and brother Charlie had to get back the rights to their own work from a production company who'd promised so much but delivered so little, and Daisy's own battles with low self-esteem and fear of having ideas "above her station". Above all, there are the years of grinding poverty the Cooper family experienced, and the lengths they had to go to in order to survive.
But this *is* a fantastic read, even though she terrifies me as a person! Cooper's writing style is fluid, vivid, articulate, and devoid of self-pity.
Highly recommended!
January 4, 2022
One of the most hilarious books I’ve read - so many anecdotes I was nearly crying with laughter on the train. Daisy May manages to convey the brutal reality of living in poverty, feeling hopeless and desperately trying to make it with her dream career without what you’re reading being completely fucking harrowing. My only criticism is that the book ended a bit abruptly; I was so ready to hear about Daisy finally making it and about how the Coopers lives fiiiinally changed for the better but the book just…ended. Still the funniest book I’ve touched in a long time and I’d be up for reading any number of sequels. Thanks Our Dais
February 10, 2022
This book starts off amazing and until about 3/4 of the way through stays consistently funny (I’m still thinking about that showcase in under the pub) but I can’t help but feel the last few chapters were really rushed! All the same Daisy May Cooper has fucking been THROUGH IT and she’s a walking example of how never giving up on something you really want will eventually pay off ! Would recommend x
December 30, 2021
bit narcissistic
May 25, 2024
Daisy May Cooper deserves every single success in life !!! Literally a poster for not giving up on your dreams - also highly recommend the audiobook for the bonus interview with her dad lmao
April 2, 2022
I have real mixed feelings about this audio book. At first I was laughing and finding it all extremely funny. I love the asides to the production team she makes as she reads. Her accents are fabulous, apart from the Welsh one. That part was worth going back to listen to again, and then playing to my friend. However as the book went on I found myself hesitating a bit.
Daisy and Charlie are contracted to do a cleaning job for three hours, but manage to do it in 20 minutes. Well, of course they don’t manage to do it in 20 minutes, they do the absolute bare minimum which is obvious to the staff who have to work in a dirty environment. It’s also obvious to the manager who leaves them notes about how to clean more effectively. (ie actually do the job they’re being paid for.) I wondered how on earth they kept the job and didn’t get sacked. Are we really expected to feel sorry for them? It’s Daisy’s dream to act and to produce her own TV programme, so she takes low-grade jobs she can leave at any time which allow her to attend auditions, yet I feel that we are meant to sympathise with the fact that they don’t have any money and have to watch their friends eat McDonald’s and can never buy a coffee, or whatever, in return. This is clearly a choice!
There’s just so much about life being hard and general negativity about everything and everyone. It is very much a poor, poor me type of memoir. I’ve read much more positive accounts from holocaust and World War II survivors!
Even when things really do go their way and This Country finally gets commissioned to be made, it’s almost a cursory mention at the end and that’s it. There’s probably another book in the pipeline because there’s no mention of The Wrong Mans or David Copperfield which she acted in before This Country. Will she be complaining about James Cordon and Dev Patel next?
As for ‘accidentally’ spending the student grant on a London hotel’s penthouse suite before RADA, Daisy really doesn’t come off as very sharp. Or, she did realise at the time but didn’t care? I’ve seen that she had appealed for funds to go to RADA from the readers of her local newspaper. (That seems to be a thing which has been airbrushed from the book.) I wonder if her appeal successfully raised some money? And how givers feel reading this account about blowing over £3K on the penthouse suite?
She really doesn’t paint herself very sympathetically. Having no empathy or any sort of kindness, or understanding (even in retrospect) for the boy whom she met through a chat room, who had not told her about his disability, and then whom she did not speak to for the entire weekend he stayed (parents really, he slept in her room?!) She doesn’t do herself many favours in this book. I wonder if it’s all for comedic necessity.
The entire tone of the book is ‘Woe is me, look how people have treated me!’, from her first boyfriends, to her relationship (if you can call it that) living in Cirencester where she’s basically only there to get somewhere nicer to live, her feckless parents not keeping jobs and pawning inherited items, to her house share in Shepherd’s Bush with the Portuguese girls, attending traumatising RADA and on, and on, and on and on and on…. There is no hint of self reflection, or remorse about her choices and behaviour.
She came across well on Taskmaster, I find her really funny and loved This Country, especially coming from the same rural area I totally get it all, but this book does nothing to make me think she’s a particularly decent or kind person. I’m going to decide to take it all with a pinch of salt, otherwise I’ll end up thinking a lot less of her than I did.
3 1/2 stars
I’d be interested to read a book by Charlie Cooper. He comes across as a more thoughtful and reflective person.
11/2/22
Daisy and Charlie are contracted to do a cleaning job for three hours, but manage to do it in 20 minutes. Well, of course they don’t manage to do it in 20 minutes, they do the absolute bare minimum which is obvious to the staff who have to work in a dirty environment. It’s also obvious to the manager who leaves them notes about how to clean more effectively. (ie actually do the job they’re being paid for.) I wondered how on earth they kept the job and didn’t get sacked. Are we really expected to feel sorry for them? It’s Daisy’s dream to act and to produce her own TV programme, so she takes low-grade jobs she can leave at any time which allow her to attend auditions, yet I feel that we are meant to sympathise with the fact that they don’t have any money and have to watch their friends eat McDonald’s and can never buy a coffee, or whatever, in return. This is clearly a choice!
There’s just so much about life being hard and general negativity about everything and everyone. It is very much a poor, poor me type of memoir. I’ve read much more positive accounts from holocaust and World War II survivors!
Even when things really do go their way and This Country finally gets commissioned to be made, it’s almost a cursory mention at the end and that’s it. There’s probably another book in the pipeline because there’s no mention of The Wrong Mans or David Copperfield which she acted in before This Country. Will she be complaining about James Cordon and Dev Patel next?
As for ‘accidentally’ spending the student grant on a London hotel’s penthouse suite before RADA, Daisy really doesn’t come off as very sharp. Or, she did realise at the time but didn’t care? I’ve seen that she had appealed for funds to go to RADA from the readers of her local newspaper. (That seems to be a thing which has been airbrushed from the book.) I wonder if her appeal successfully raised some money? And how givers feel reading this account about blowing over £3K on the penthouse suite?
She really doesn’t paint herself very sympathetically. Having no empathy or any sort of kindness, or understanding (even in retrospect) for the boy whom she met through a chat room, who had not told her about his disability, and then whom she did not speak to for the entire weekend he stayed (parents really, he slept in her room?!) She doesn’t do herself many favours in this book. I wonder if it’s all for comedic necessity.
The entire tone of the book is ‘Woe is me, look how people have treated me!’, from her first boyfriends, to her relationship (if you can call it that) living in Cirencester where she’s basically only there to get somewhere nicer to live, her feckless parents not keeping jobs and pawning inherited items, to her house share in Shepherd’s Bush with the Portuguese girls, attending traumatising RADA and on, and on, and on and on and on…. There is no hint of self reflection, or remorse about her choices and behaviour.
She came across well on Taskmaster, I find her really funny and loved This Country, especially coming from the same rural area I totally get it all, but this book does nothing to make me think she’s a particularly decent or kind person. I’m going to decide to take it all with a pinch of salt, otherwise I’ll end up thinking a lot less of her than I did.
3 1/2 stars
I’d be interested to read a book by Charlie Cooper. He comes across as a more thoughtful and reflective person.
11/2/22
August 7, 2022
I loved this from beginning to end ! It made me laugh out loud and at times it was heart breaking to read about the financial situation the family was in and the poverty they endured. Daisy is so realistic and funny without even trying ! Some of the situations she got herself into when she was younger and the way she recounts it are a pick me up tonic full of laughter you never knew you needed!
November 23, 2021
Some great heartbreaking moments of how Daisy overcame class adversity and poverty tied with the surreal and ridiculous moments of tragedy that you can only find humour in. Overall a darker and more tragic read than what I was expecting, but with some good laugh out loud moments.
January 4, 2023
Really enjoyed this. Wrote in a way that’s funny but also very truthful about the struggles Daisy faced breaking into the industry. I wish it went into a bit more detail about what happened after This Country was finally commissioned and aired by the BBC but maybe she’s saving it up for another book…
If you’re a fan it’s a good option. Also a great book to compare the experience that nepo babies get in similar creative industries.
If you’re a fan it’s a good option. Also a great book to compare the experience that nepo babies get in similar creative industries.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2024
Fucking funny. But also really sad. But mostly funny. Grateful I’m not poor or a creative !!
January 19, 2022
Listened to this on audiobook & I highly recommend listening to it if you can, the humour is heightened by her narration.
April 13, 2023
Honestly this was hilarious
February 22, 2022
A fascinating read about how her genius show came to be. Nice to hear the tale of a true underdog!
February 17, 2024
Very fun, even if you’re not overly familiar with DMC or This Country (I’d recommend watching “Am I Being Unreasonable?” though - it’s a dark comedy/thriller)
November 4, 2021
This has been my favourite book of 2021, by a vast amount. What an utter tonic! And, it has landed in my life at just the right moment in time. Life is pretty challenging right now, but for the few days its taken me to read Don't Laugh It'll Only Encourage Her, I've found a brief respite from the day to day issues and have been able to chuckle, snort, giggle and fully on belly laugh my way through the whole book! My personal highlights were the coke can incident, the one liner about Daisy's old pet hamster and his whiplash, and the whole chapter on Thaddeus Toogood - comedy gold.
I'm a huge fan of the TV series, This County, and of Daisy May Cooper in general. I discovered This Country during the first lockdown and I'm so glad I did. I then went on to follow Daisy May and Charlie Cooper on Instragam, where Daisy kept us all entertained with her what-can-you-fit-under-your-tits challenge, and all the stories of the adventures with the Sea Captain. I've since watched all three seasons of This County three times through again and I've been so excited waiting for the book to land. I knew it would be fantastic, and it hasn't disappointed at all.
There are so many mad crazy experiences in the book that I did, on occasion, question whether not they could all really be true. I'm choosing to believe that they are. The Cooper family certainly seem bonkers enough for that to be the case.
I hope there will be more This Country some day, or that Charlie and Daisy will write new material together. Their unique brand of comedic genius is up there with the likes of Ricky Gervais's The Office. They are definitely one of the best of British talents. I also hope there will be more books to follow too.
I ordered both the audiobook and the hardback book, and it's been great using them both together. Daisy narrates the story really well and does lots of funny voices, and she slightly goes of piste into other little chats that aren't in the book. There's also a Q&A recorded session at the end of the audio version, recorded with her real life Dad, Paul Cooper. A nice added bonus. However, the hardback printed book shows lots of previously unseen photographs, plus copies of old school text books and random drawings. It's great to use them both simultaneously.
Thanks for writing this book, Daisy. It's excellent and you are amazing, and if I could award you more starts then I would. Thanks lifting the lid on life as a wannabe actress and sharing your heartbreaking stories of all you had to endure whilst trying to 'make it' in showbiz. I'm so glad you got there in the end. Nobody deserves it more than you and Charlie.
I hope that, as you get more success (which you totally deserve!), you continue be exactly you. Down to earth, a bit mental and so hilarious. You've turned celebrity on its head, and that's a good thing.
I'm a huge fan of the TV series, This County, and of Daisy May Cooper in general. I discovered This Country during the first lockdown and I'm so glad I did. I then went on to follow Daisy May and Charlie Cooper on Instragam, where Daisy kept us all entertained with her what-can-you-fit-under-your-tits challenge, and all the stories of the adventures with the Sea Captain. I've since watched all three seasons of This County three times through again and I've been so excited waiting for the book to land. I knew it would be fantastic, and it hasn't disappointed at all.
There are so many mad crazy experiences in the book that I did, on occasion, question whether not they could all really be true. I'm choosing to believe that they are. The Cooper family certainly seem bonkers enough for that to be the case.
I hope there will be more This Country some day, or that Charlie and Daisy will write new material together. Their unique brand of comedic genius is up there with the likes of Ricky Gervais's The Office. They are definitely one of the best of British talents. I also hope there will be more books to follow too.
I ordered both the audiobook and the hardback book, and it's been great using them both together. Daisy narrates the story really well and does lots of funny voices, and she slightly goes of piste into other little chats that aren't in the book. There's also a Q&A recorded session at the end of the audio version, recorded with her real life Dad, Paul Cooper. A nice added bonus. However, the hardback printed book shows lots of previously unseen photographs, plus copies of old school text books and random drawings. It's great to use them both simultaneously.
Thanks for writing this book, Daisy. It's excellent and you are amazing, and if I could award you more starts then I would. Thanks lifting the lid on life as a wannabe actress and sharing your heartbreaking stories of all you had to endure whilst trying to 'make it' in showbiz. I'm so glad you got there in the end. Nobody deserves it more than you and Charlie.
I hope that, as you get more success (which you totally deserve!), you continue be exactly you. Down to earth, a bit mental and so hilarious. You've turned celebrity on its head, and that's a good thing.
April 25, 2025
Lizzie and I genuinely quote Kerry and Kurtan from This Country at least 5x per day so it was a given that I was going to love this audiobook. Laughed out loud too many times to count
March 25, 2022
I say read, I didn't actually finish it. Took the pleasure out of reading so I binned it off. Soz Daisy, just wasn't for me?!
April 10, 2024
As autobiographies go this was entertaining to listen to. Lots of the stories dwell on her poverty and aren’t quite as light-hearted as you would expect. As the stories progress into adulthood they become more light-hearted and funny. Overall, was it as funny as I expected it to be? No Having said that, was it easy to listen to and entertaining? Yes Would I recommend? For an easy listen to dip in and out of yes- not sure it would be entertaining to read- listening is a must. If I’m completely honest, would probably have rated this 3.5 stars.
January 17, 2023
Some parts were laugh out loud funny.
All in all a great read, wish there was more about Charlie Daisy's brother - maybe he will come out with a book?
Also some of the photocopied pages of old school stories and notes and stuff I couldn't read them the print was very small and the writing was hard to read. I didn't think it was necessary to have those parts because there were proper photos in 2 sections of the book.
I skim read the last chapter.
All in all a great read, wish there was more about Charlie Daisy's brother - maybe he will come out with a book?
Also some of the photocopied pages of old school stories and notes and stuff I couldn't read them the print was very small and the writing was hard to read. I didn't think it was necessary to have those parts because there were proper photos in 2 sections of the book.
I skim read the last chapter.
September 27, 2023
I wasn’t expecting this to be as emotional as it was; I loved Daisy May Cooper in This Country, and while her comedic side does come out a lot in the memoir, the stories of her difficult childhood & family struggles were very poignant.
January 3, 2022
Easiest read going - I bloody love Daisy May Cooper
May 4, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
July 7, 2023
absolutely adored this and i’m so glad i got the audible because it was great hearing daisy explain and sing her and charlie’s songs.
December 1, 2021
As funny as you imagined it to be!
February 23, 2022
Good but the ending was quite abrupt, felt like something was missing
Displaying 1 - 30 of 558 reviews