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Amazing Disgrace: A Book About "Shame"
'An outpouring of truth, wit, and beautiful comedic wisdom.' Katherine Ryan
'Such a funny and interesting book.' Sara Pascoe
'Finally my vagina has a voice!' London Hughes
'Powerful, bold, vulnerable, beautiful, hilarious, universal, unique.' Scarlett Curtis
**********************************************
For as long as she can remember, Grace Campbell has been told that she doesn't suit her name. But being graceful is no fun anyway.
Growing up in a world of privilege and politics, she had a lot to feel confident about. But she was also a record-breaker when it came to feeling shame. Shame about sex, shame about rejection, shame about mental health.
But over time, and with a 24 carat gold dose of female friendship, Grace has turned shame into a defiant sense of self. At only 27, Grace has got a lot to learn about being an adult, but she's already got a lot to share about being a disgrace, and how she came to be utterly, disgustingly, disgracefully proud of it.
This is the book every young woman should read, and every young man should worry about.
'Such a funny and interesting book.' Sara Pascoe
'Finally my vagina has a voice!' London Hughes
'Powerful, bold, vulnerable, beautiful, hilarious, universal, unique.' Scarlett Curtis
**********************************************
For as long as she can remember, Grace Campbell has been told that she doesn't suit her name. But being graceful is no fun anyway.
Growing up in a world of privilege and politics, she had a lot to feel confident about. But she was also a record-breaker when it came to feeling shame. Shame about sex, shame about rejection, shame about mental health.
But over time, and with a 24 carat gold dose of female friendship, Grace has turned shame into a defiant sense of self. At only 27, Grace has got a lot to learn about being an adult, but she's already got a lot to share about being a disgrace, and how she came to be utterly, disgustingly, disgracefully proud of it.
This is the book every young woman should read, and every young man should worry about.
304 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2022
46 people are currently reading
2078 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
November 6, 2020
A truly truly amazing book. Whoever you are - read this! Grace is a voice of a generation
December 30, 2020
Arguably the only non-fiction book I've ever read and enjoyed. This soared to the top of my favourite books of all time. It was powerful, funny, witty, moving, empowering but perhaps most importantly of all - honest.
June 18, 2021
*Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for review!*
Listen, I wasn’t planning on reading this book in a huge four-hour long stint, but I did. I literally couldn’t put it down I got so engrossed wow.
From the first page, you can get the feel of this book. It was instantly tongue in cheek and relatable, something that remains constant throughout. I really appreciated the honestly. It made me laugh, it made me say ‘omg me too!’ and it made me really appreciate the women in my life. This book was so much fun. There were also several sadder and darker anecdotes about Grace’s personal life, but she turned them into something to learn from and things she’d tell her younger self (or us, the readers).
It perfectly captured the mess that is growing up and trying to find yourself and fit in, a lot of rejection and jealously, and endless list of terrible decisions and making the same mistakes repeatedly. How sexist the world is, in particular her experiences in the world of tv/comedy and how men don’t take her seriously at all. It went over many things: sexual health/liberation, politics, body image, assault, mental health – the list goes on.
Will definitely be a non-fiction book I recommend for a long, long time. It was such a joy to read and definitely ultimately uplifting. Grace, you’re a gem.
Listen, I wasn’t planning on reading this book in a huge four-hour long stint, but I did. I literally couldn’t put it down I got so engrossed wow.
From the first page, you can get the feel of this book. It was instantly tongue in cheek and relatable, something that remains constant throughout. I really appreciated the honestly. It made me laugh, it made me say ‘omg me too!’ and it made me really appreciate the women in my life. This book was so much fun. There were also several sadder and darker anecdotes about Grace’s personal life, but she turned them into something to learn from and things she’d tell her younger self (or us, the readers).
It perfectly captured the mess that is growing up and trying to find yourself and fit in, a lot of rejection and jealously, and endless list of terrible decisions and making the same mistakes repeatedly. How sexist the world is, in particular her experiences in the world of tv/comedy and how men don’t take her seriously at all. It went over many things: sexual health/liberation, politics, body image, assault, mental health – the list goes on.
Will definitely be a non-fiction book I recommend for a long, long time. It was such a joy to read and definitely ultimately uplifting. Grace, you’re a gem.
March 18, 2021
I understand what she was trying to go for, but it was poorly executed.
February 2, 2021
it’s definitely a funny read, although there was more about politics than shame, but i suppose that’s just because of who she is. there was a lot of topics shoved into one book. i loved the parts about her journey getting into stand up comedy the most. i enjoyed this more as a humorous book rather than a straight up memoir (because she is too young) or as a feminist book since it lacked depth on the topic of shame.
July 25, 2021
Big up my lovely friends for buying me this book. I will now be lending it to all of you.
November 15, 2020
I feel I must protect this.
The writer Grace, has sighted her most vulnerable memoirs of her young years and drawn early conclusions on “the way the world works” however as a good friend once said. No writer should be allowed to write a biography under the age of 37.
There’s a reason for this. Grace explores some excruciating topics through her own experiences, however there are stark contrasts to those I have read already. Fleeting context, little reflection and for a book about Shame there is still evidently a lot of work to be done - victim blaming, perpetrator saving is present in graces tone regardless of how well she thinks she’s articulating “it’s not your fault” power is still given to those who hurt people.
But the reason I feel so protective is bc Grace deserves not to be marginalised or patronised. This book is ideal for girls 15 years younger than me, if even just a starting block for more concrete guidance on loving yourself before you can another.
The writer Grace, has sighted her most vulnerable memoirs of her young years and drawn early conclusions on “the way the world works” however as a good friend once said. No writer should be allowed to write a biography under the age of 37.
There’s a reason for this. Grace explores some excruciating topics through her own experiences, however there are stark contrasts to those I have read already. Fleeting context, little reflection and for a book about Shame there is still evidently a lot of work to be done - victim blaming, perpetrator saving is present in graces tone regardless of how well she thinks she’s articulating “it’s not your fault” power is still given to those who hurt people.
But the reason I feel so protective is bc Grace deserves not to be marginalised or patronised. This book is ideal for girls 15 years younger than me, if even just a starting block for more concrete guidance on loving yourself before you can another.
August 26, 2022
Easy read, very relatable. Refreshingly honest which I loved.
January 2, 2021
Witty, feminist and so honest!! I inhaled it. As a self-proclaimed “book about shame”, I think there are relatable topics in this book for most people, especially women. It was so fun to read, with the heavier, emotional sections balancing nicely with light-hearted humour and heartwarming stories of friendship.
April 5, 2021
A “bookstagram made me do it” purchase... unpopular opinion, I did not like this book! 🤷🏻♀️
I went into this book blind, not knowing who Grace Campbell was and her links to politics, her father being Alastair Campbell. I found the book interesting when she had written about him working in politics and the whole Tony Blair side of things, the protesting outside their home which was aimed at Alastair (sometimes you don’t realise what comes with being known or in the public eye if you will). So the reason I gave it two stars was because I did find the politics side of things interesting. The rest of the book however, I just didn’t enjoy, I found myself skipping some pages as it felt repetitive and just not great to read.👎🏻
Kind of felt like it was money wasted. 🤷🏻♀️. I know some people have really enjoyed this and some haven’t, that’s totally fine, the book world would be boring if everyone loved the same books. 🥲
I went into this book blind, not knowing who Grace Campbell was and her links to politics, her father being Alastair Campbell. I found the book interesting when she had written about him working in politics and the whole Tony Blair side of things, the protesting outside their home which was aimed at Alastair (sometimes you don’t realise what comes with being known or in the public eye if you will). So the reason I gave it two stars was because I did find the politics side of things interesting. The rest of the book however, I just didn’t enjoy, I found myself skipping some pages as it felt repetitive and just not great to read.👎🏻
Kind of felt like it was money wasted. 🤷🏻♀️. I know some people have really enjoyed this and some haven’t, that’s totally fine, the book world would be boring if everyone loved the same books. 🥲
January 2, 2021
Part memoir, part discussion on sex, shame, rejection, mental health and friendship. Grace Campbell dives in with vulgar splendour about drugs, sex, wanking and more. She is unashamedly sex positive and open about her experiences good and bad. This book is honest, hilariously funny and I think will be entirely relatable for many women. I don't think this book will appeal to all as in places it's quite crude, however it does have some really important messages and it's refreshingly honest.
What I loved about this book is that it 100% Grace Campbell in all of her glory, she refuses to be pigeon holed into a box of how women are expected to behave and what they are supposed to talk about. She adds trigger warnings and acknowledges her imperfections, faults and where she is still learning. She also interweaves her experiences with humour.
I found Grace's book entirely relatable in many places, as a child born in the mid-1990s I'm a year younger than Grace and have grown up at the same time as Grace which I think drives this connection. Whilst I can't relate to Grace's experiences with drugs (I'm very anti-drugs), there were parts that I felt echoed my own teenage and early-20s and the insecurities I harboured. Like Grace, and many other women, I had a complicated relationship with my body growing up and I fell foul to many social pressures. In many ways this book served as a validation that I wasn't alone in my teenage experiences and feelings.
Grace's discussions on sex and the bad aspects of sex, the shame women are forced to feel, the problems surrounding the lack of education, the lack of discussions surrounding consent, the impact of the internet on our generation, and the reality that rape comes in many forms are an important part of this book.
When she spoke about rape, there was one quote that really resonated;
In many of the books I have read on the topic of rape the issue that continues to come up is the lack of discussions we have about boundaries, consent and educating the youth of today.
Despite some of the serious discussions surrounding rape and mental health, the humour and outrageousness of Grace's personality shines through and I read so many parts out to my boyfriend as I laughed out loud. Her ancedotes about fanny farting about trips, about trips to the sexual health clinic as the in place were entirely hilarious.
There is a terrible cliché that women aren't funny or only women get female comedians which I simply abhor. This book for me is hilarious whilst still being a little bit poignant and makes me wish Grace Campbell were my friend.
What I loved about this book is that it 100% Grace Campbell in all of her glory, she refuses to be pigeon holed into a box of how women are expected to behave and what they are supposed to talk about. She adds trigger warnings and acknowledges her imperfections, faults and where she is still learning. She also interweaves her experiences with humour.
I found Grace's book entirely relatable in many places, as a child born in the mid-1990s I'm a year younger than Grace and have grown up at the same time as Grace which I think drives this connection. Whilst I can't relate to Grace's experiences with drugs (I'm very anti-drugs), there were parts that I felt echoed my own teenage and early-20s and the insecurities I harboured. Like Grace, and many other women, I had a complicated relationship with my body growing up and I fell foul to many social pressures. In many ways this book served as a validation that I wasn't alone in my teenage experiences and feelings.
Grace's discussions on sex and the bad aspects of sex, the shame women are forced to feel, the problems surrounding the lack of education, the lack of discussions surrounding consent, the impact of the internet on our generation, and the reality that rape comes in many forms are an important part of this book.
When she spoke about rape, there was one quote that really resonated;
"And to those people who have been through this: it's not your fault. As you and I know all too well, we have been the guinea pigs of a broken generation when it comes to sex."
In many of the books I have read on the topic of rape the issue that continues to come up is the lack of discussions we have about boundaries, consent and educating the youth of today.
Despite some of the serious discussions surrounding rape and mental health, the humour and outrageousness of Grace's personality shines through and I read so many parts out to my boyfriend as I laughed out loud. Her ancedotes about fanny farting about trips, about trips to the sexual health clinic as the in place were entirely hilarious.
There is a terrible cliché that women aren't funny or only women get female comedians which I simply abhor. This book for me is hilarious whilst still being a little bit poignant and makes me wish Grace Campbell were my friend.
January 22, 2021
If u don’t know Grace Campbell, let me introduce you. She’s a feminist, comedian, activist, writer, and, a fucking legend. She is also Alistair Campbell’s daughter which, I can’t lie, did leave me a little scared to read the book. I absolutely love Grace, but I put off reading this for a little while because I was apprehensive that it would scream privilege and be vastly unrelatable. Now, don’t get me wrong, I absolutely cannot vision Tony Blair trotting into my house for a cuppa, but I can assure you that this book was not just drivel about being fancy. Instead, it was charming, funny, reassuring, and the pick me up I absolutely needed while the world is going up in flames.
As the title suggests, this is a book about shame. It brilliantly discusses sexism, feminism, politics, assault, mental health, general questionable decisions etc etc etc. I could go on with the list, but insta’s word limit wouldn’t like that. This is kind of a painful read, because ultimately this is underpinned by feelings of anger, embarrassment, regret, or you guessed it, shame. But Grace has brilliantly turned these moments into a uniting chuckle (also with a complimentary sigh and eye roll).
I kinda just wanna hug this book for a bit. V heartwarming, v funny, v dolly alds. Also similar to a good brew, and one you should all absolutely read.
J’adore Grace Campbell.
J’adore this book so fucking much.
J’adore now saying J’adore to everything and feeling like a fancy af.
(@humph_reads)
As the title suggests, this is a book about shame. It brilliantly discusses sexism, feminism, politics, assault, mental health, general questionable decisions etc etc etc. I could go on with the list, but insta’s word limit wouldn’t like that. This is kind of a painful read, because ultimately this is underpinned by feelings of anger, embarrassment, regret, or you guessed it, shame. But Grace has brilliantly turned these moments into a uniting chuckle (also with a complimentary sigh and eye roll).
I kinda just wanna hug this book for a bit. V heartwarming, v funny, v dolly alds. Also similar to a good brew, and one you should all absolutely read.
J’adore Grace Campbell.
J’adore this book so fucking much.
J’adore now saying J’adore to everything and feeling like a fancy af.
(@humph_reads)
January 3, 2021
the perfect first read to start 2021. Grace’s memoir dives into the importance of female friendships, uplifting other women, relationships, shame, rejection, mental health. and also it’s absolutely hilarious ! love love love
January 25, 2021
this book is super relatable for any millennial/gen z person. grace campbell is a really funny person and amazing disgrace was a highly entertaining read. the real driving force behind this book is the power of friendship, particularly with women and LGBTQ+ people, which was beautifully articulated. grace details the essence of what it is to be a woman in today’s world and made you feel that little bit less alone.
February 24, 2023
Soo surprised at how much I enjoyed this, found myself addicted to learning about her life, and made me aware of how much shame I was carrying in my life. Plus feminist values on POINT! Can't wait to see her live, altho if she pulls me on stage I will have a breakdown, kwl thx 😌
April 26, 2024
Funny, relatable, powerful messages
May 28, 2021
Absolutely loved this. Such an honest and loving and relatable book that doesn't try to be sophisticated and in the process becomes sophisticated in its unpretentiousness and its raw tone. Grace just fucking tells it like it is but is so kind and funny and compassionate as she does so. Love the book and now love her even more
March 6, 2021
Ummmm, I don't wanna say I didn't enjoy it because there were plenty of moments that really resonated with me and also I laughed out loud at, but I duno... I just don't think I connected with it that much to be honest. I felt like I was being preached at for the whole book and I didn't really get the whole point about hating politics 🤷🏻♀️
April 7, 2021
Hi, a major badass over here. I respected Grace before but woweeee what an open, strong, loving and beautiful book. It moved me and made me laugh lots and I hope so many gals feel seen n heard through her words. It covered so many topics and weaved in a really relaxed but clearly considered, structured way through such important themes that all just felt like tangents in a conversation. I loved the style. I preferred the first two thirds to the closing sections but I read it all eagerly and ain't nothin gonna make me give this less than five stars. J'adore !!!!!
January 11, 2021
Loved how this book tackles the various versions of shame (about sex, trauma, body hair, weight, popularity, appearance, professionalism) instilled in young women. It's frank, funny, and timely. And I wish it had been around when I was a teenager.
The only part that I found dragged a bit was around the opening chapters when she talks about her childhood hatred for Tony Blair a lot, which feels a bit aimless and isn't something many people (nobody?) can relate to. I didn't really understand why he was in it to the extent that he was.
My advice is to power through the first quarter of the book, because it gets really, really, good.
She also gives multiple trigger warnings before discussing potentially triggering subjects, which I always respect in books of this calibre.
The only part that I found dragged a bit was around the opening chapters when she talks about her childhood hatred for Tony Blair a lot, which feels a bit aimless and isn't something many people (nobody?) can relate to. I didn't really understand why he was in it to the extent that he was.
My advice is to power through the first quarter of the book, because it gets really, really, good.
She also gives multiple trigger warnings before discussing potentially triggering subjects, which I always respect in books of this calibre.
May 2, 2021
Written by Grace Campbell, the daughter of politician Alistair Campbell, this is a 90% light-hearted read which tells the tale of the adventures of her vagina!
From the first encounter, when Grace pleasures herself, to the wild drug and drink fuelled nights of one night stands, as well as her journey learning to love herself, vagina included. This is a humorous memoir, based on a subject that has been taboo for generations. Grace breaks that barrier by speaking openly about her shame of her own body, how her sexual experiences helped shaped her as well as covering topics such as STD's, sex education, porn and consent.
I really enjoyed this, and actually found myself nodding in agreement with some of the experiences Grace talks about. I highly recommend this to anyone who is not offended by sexual content. Please note - this not an audio to listen to in the car with the family!
** T/W** There is a chapter that includes rape and sexual abuse, and although it is very courageous of Grace to write about these events in her life, and my hat goes off to her for doing so, some readers may find this upsetting and triggering.
From the first encounter, when Grace pleasures herself, to the wild drug and drink fuelled nights of one night stands, as well as her journey learning to love herself, vagina included. This is a humorous memoir, based on a subject that has been taboo for generations. Grace breaks that barrier by speaking openly about her shame of her own body, how her sexual experiences helped shaped her as well as covering topics such as STD's, sex education, porn and consent.
I really enjoyed this, and actually found myself nodding in agreement with some of the experiences Grace talks about. I highly recommend this to anyone who is not offended by sexual content. Please note - this not an audio to listen to in the car with the family!
** T/W** There is a chapter that includes rape and sexual abuse, and although it is very courageous of Grace to write about these events in her life, and my hat goes off to her for doing so, some readers may find this upsetting and triggering.
January 9, 2022
I thought this was great! I’ve loved Grace Campbell since I discovered her on the podcast she does with her Dad and was lucky enough to catch her doing her Edinburgh show in London not long before covid hit.
She’s very funny and very honest and it’s also really interesting reading about what it was like growing up as Alistair Campbell’s daughter during the Blair years.
I read this in a day! 💯 recommend.
She’s very funny and very honest and it’s also really interesting reading about what it was like growing up as Alistair Campbell’s daughter during the Blair years.
I read this in a day! 💯 recommend.
March 8, 2023
This book is basically the literary equivalent of having a good old chin wag with your best mate, where no topics are off limit. Funny, and honest this is in equal parts empowering and heart warming. Grace Campbell makes no bones about her privileged background and this is refreshing and leads to a book that is both an autobiography and an empowering guide to how to accept yourself and every part of you. If you’ve seen her stand up you know what you’re getting into with this book, but I would highly recommend! Can’t wait for my daughters to be old enough to read this, and fair warning the content is not PG.
June 9, 2025
9,5/10
So ein lustiges, nachvollziehbares Buch übers Leben und über die dummen Schamgefühle die sich die Gesellschaft erschaffen hat. - allein das Wort!
So sympathisch geschrieben und so relatable!!
Tolle Kapitel über Freund*innenschaft und die Unnötigkeit von Eifersucht/ Neid, Geschichten über problematische Männer (konnte einige Vergleiche ziehen uff) und Privilegien Aufarbeitung.
All in all, gut für die Seele!
So ein lustiges, nachvollziehbares Buch übers Leben und über die dummen Schamgefühle die sich die Gesellschaft erschaffen hat. - allein das Wort!
So sympathisch geschrieben und so relatable!!
Tolle Kapitel über Freund*innenschaft und die Unnötigkeit von Eifersucht/ Neid, Geschichten über problematische Männer (konnte einige Vergleiche ziehen uff) und Privilegien Aufarbeitung.
All in all, gut für die Seele!
April 15, 2022
Although I skipped the politics (I don't know anything about UK politicians and I don't care either) the rest of the book was really nice to read. Sometimes I got a feeling of "ok grace, I get it, chill" but I applaud her for talking so openly about stuff like masturbation and rejection. Will look her up from now on, I'm quite interested in other stuff she has done
January 5, 2021
Funny, empowering, feminist = we love to see it
April 25, 2021
Love love LOVED this book! Felt like I was chatting to a best pal all the way through it! A book-based reminder for women to build up women always 💕
June 19, 2023
Truly hilarious and such a good read, a very healing powerful book
May 10, 2024
Devoured it. J’adore
November 9, 2020
12/10. Like a grown up Georgia Nicholson, j’adore.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews