The Audacity: Why Being Too Much Is Exactly Enough

by Katherine Ryan

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY THE FINANCIAL TIMES AND THE TIMES * AN INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

The Audacity is a brilliantly funny, fiercely honest, and dangerously astute handbook of life instruction from the star of the hit Netflix series The Duchess.

I've come to accept that being audacious is a gift I can't escape.

People know my on-stage comedy persona or my scripted ballsy characters and wrongly assume that I must stomp around all day in designer dresses eviscerating those who dare to cross my path. But mostly, I'm just eating pickles and being nice to some dogs.

Whatever strangers think of me is fine with me. How audacious is that? I can always take a joke and I don't waste time worrying about things I can't control. I embrace the reality that you just can't please everyone, so you might as well put yourself out there and have a laugh. As my mother always said, Katherine, if we all liked the same thing, we'd all be married to your father.

I'm often asked how I developed my lurid level of courage and assurance and for tips on how others can match. The Audacity is my chance to share my blueprint for just that. You will learn:

- How To Be the Most Popular Girl in School
- How to Waste All Your Money on Designer Dogs
- How To Attract Toxic Men . . . AND Keep Them Interested!
And so much more . . .

Secrets are my favourite things to tell and I figured I'd better tell a few juicy ones myself. Why not? No matter what I do, there will always be something about me that reads as simply, outrageously audacious.

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

336 pages, Paperback

Published October 4, 2022

Reviews

[Sheree | Keeping Up With The Penguins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think maybe The Audacity suffered from the fact that I’ve read so many truly brilliant memoirs lately; by comparison, it fell flat for me. Something about Ryan’s voice and approach just felt… off. She has a very matter-of-fact tone, which I’d normally like, except it was coupled with 20/20 hindsight; she doesn’t really bring the reader along with her.

My full review of The Audacity can be found on Keeping Up With The Penguins.

[Pippa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been waiting in anticipation to read this and so glad I did. Sped through it and loved listening on Audible. Also Katherine's mum is a legend.

[Antonella · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5⭐

[Danielle Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable. Really refreshing to have a woman in the public eye talk so honestly (and hilariously) about her life, mistakes and triumphs without really caring what anyone thinks. Particularly enjoyed her reflections about a string of ‘diabolical’ male partners and sexism within the comedy industry.

Couple of bits I didn’t necessarily agree with but pleasing everyone isn’t really her style 😂

[Kate Hammer · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a lot of summary and not much scene to dramatise the stories in the book. She got done wrong by an editor. Still funny and entertaining, as is the classic KR brand

[Lea (drumsofautumn) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved Katherine Ryan in Taskmaster, so I was super excited to listen to this! I thought there were a lot of interesting stories in this and I definitely loved hearing Katherine Ryan narrate them herself.

Overall it was just okay for me though and ranks rather low in the list of celebrity memoirs I have read or listened to.
She's also done a lot of offensive stuff in her past that she would talk openly about but would brush it off with "it was the early 2000s" or that things just were different then. Which I get. But still couldn't help that a lot of stuff left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth with the way she would talk about it.

[Natasha Leighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t read non fiction or memoirs all that often (I think this is probably the second I’ve read in over a decade) but I genuinely really enjoyed this, and getting to learn more about Katherine as a person as opposed to her curated stage persona was really interesting.

One thing to note was, despite being a memoir, Katherine still manages to keep the identities of her past boyfriends (including the really terrible ones) anonymous which—although a pretty classy (and legally savvy) move— did disappoint me a little. Though the choice to forgo naming and shaming is understandable especially given society’s toxic obsession with Cancel culture (which is something Katherine also manages to explore in a later chapter) But other than that, it’s really good.

If you’re a fan of Katherine’s unique brand of humour then it’s definitely worth a read, however she does tackle some pretty relevant topics and social issues (including a very candid dialogue on her experiences with toxic relationships and miscarriage) so I definitely suggest checking the content and TWs before reading.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is honest, hilarious, sometimes upsetting but written from the heart by a brilliant writer.
Presumably, if you are going to read the book, you are like me a fan of Katherine and through her great podcast, also a fan of Violet. The book covers her life so far which has been exciting and sometimes traumatic in her usual pragmatic style. I listened on Audible as I love to hear authors reading their own stories and I find Katherine’s voice very appealing. The audiobook also has a bonus half hour from Katherine’s mother Julie, an intelligent, funny and very wise woman.
Great book.

[Anastasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

So, I love Katherinne Ryan for her Netflix comedy special Glitter Room, so I was pretty pumped when I found out she was releasing a book.

I can't say that it was an amazing book, but it was good, funny, interesting and Ryan did a great job at reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it and can't wait for her next stand-up or even a book, maybe!

Also! Also! Her mom's chapter was great and charming. Glad it was included.

[Freya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was given it as a gift by my partner's parents which, as I've never expressed any interest in Katherine Ryan, I thought was Audacious but it turns out they secretly know me and I really enjoyed it. Reminded me of a love of stand up comedy and to check my plastic surgeon's credentials

[Laurie Burns · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
A lot of good advice and things I could relate to: alcoholic family, doing stupid stuff when you are young, being yourself.
It's a little bit all over the place, but has a very authentic voice and a good bottom line: do your best and just be your damn self.

[Alex in Spades · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Katherine's humur and comedy, so I was really happy that she decided to shine some light on her life. This was a really funny autobiography with some real and hnest moments which made for a great memoir.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rounded up and being kind, not that she'll care

[Rachael Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't generally find female comedians funny but I adore Katherine Ryan. Having loved her on panel shows and The Duchess, I couldn't wait to read her book (I actually listened to her reading the audiobook) and it didn't fail to keep me laughing out loud throughout! I'd definitely recommend audio rather than the actual book for this.

[Ida B · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐ rounded up

[Lauren Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Katherine Ryan a lot. She’s really quite fabulous. Loved the acknowledgements at the end, lovely stuff.

[Muhammed Hebala · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like it, I have read some other much better autobiographies.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened as Audiobook

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katherine Ryan (2021) THE AUDACITY
London. Blink Publishing

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 out of 5 stars

The sleeve reads, "People 'know' my on-stage comedy persona or my scripted ballsy characters and wrongly assume that at home, I must stomp around all day in designer dresses eviscerating those who dare to cross my path and denouncing the existence of men in general. But mostly, I'm just sat eating pickles and being nice to some dogs. Whatever strangers think of me is fine with me. How audacious is that? I can always take a joke, I don't waste time worrying about things I can't control, and I have zero anxiety. I embrace the reality that you just can't please everyone, so you might as well put yourself out there and have a laugh. As my mother always said, 'Katherine, if we all liked the same thing, we'd all be married to your father'. I'm often asked how I developed my lurid level of courage and assurance and for tips on how others can match. The Audacity is my chance to share my blueprint for just that. You will learn: How to Become The Most Popular Girl in School; How to Waste All Your Money on Designer Dogs; How to Attract Toxic Men... AND Keep Them Interested! And so much more... Plus, secrets! Secrets are my favourite things to be told and I figured I'd better tell a few juicy ones myself. Why not? No matter what I do, there will always be something about me that reads as simply, outrageously audacious. And I wouldn't have it any other way."
=====
5-star all round greatness. Funny. Sad. Honest. Congruent. Unapologetic. Reflective. Beautiful. Audacious. I ❤ Katherine Ryan very much. Can't wait to see her in Cardiff in 2022 (pando permitting).
=====
#KatherineRyan #TheAudacity #Book #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads @kathbum

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I appreciated about this book was that she is very honest, even about the really gross details about some of the unfitting, horrible, gross relationships she has had. Things that can be a source of shame for a lot of women and she talks about it so candidly, things you really wouldn't want other people to know about. And certainly she's been free to write it down and not discount that part of her life. The kind of "what the hell was I thinking" kind of moments. She puts it all out there.

Also times when she didn't stand up for herself, or when she valued being in a relationship with a man over being single (even when they were entirely unsuitable) and she writes about the exact moment when she learned not to do that.

[Laura Hammond · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m pleased I read this book but I have come away from it feeling unsure of my opinion of Katherine Ryan. On the one hand I admire her honesty and respect her but I just don’t get on with her tone. It is very sarcastic and sometimes it didn’t need to be.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. Everyone should read this book. Especially Julie’s extra bit at the end.

The world would be a better place if we all heeded the advice of Katherine Ryan.

[Ria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I dipped into this at first because I needed a break. The Uvalde shooting had happened and my book about raising kids just felt a bit too heartbreaking to read, so I thought a chapter or two of Katherine Ryan would tide me over and I would do my usual trick of leisurely reading a non-fiction book over a period of weeks or months. Welp, it’s two days later and I’m done.

I’m a big fan of Katherine Ryan, I was even lucky enough to see her live once (her sexy geordie baby impression lives on in my head) so I was fairly sure I would enjoy this but wow, I didn’t expect to love it as much as I did. The stories were in turns powerful, moving, biting, hilarious, snarky, sweet, meaningful and lovingly frivolous - this book really felt like an honest tour through a complex life and I wish I was half as cool as Katherine and her embrace of audacity.

Definitely the break from the world I needed and I really must watch some more of her standup, I need to laugh more.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

some of my highlights:
- “we didn’t have smartphones back then, so i’d have to use a map to figure out how to get to each restaurant on time, like when tyra have the models go-see challenges on americas next top model”
- “and do you know what she says to me now? she goes, ‘sarnia is so cool, mum. they have a starbucks’”
- “try to remember nothing matters very much, and little matters at all.”

[Miss L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally don’t choose to read biographies as they take me ages to read but I knew Katherine’s would be worth it! She’s my favourite comedian as she thinks quite similar to myself. I can relate to many things but I wish I had her confidence!
I absolutely loved reading her book and found it refreshing to know that she is exactly the same as I perceived her to be… phew!

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m biased as I’m a massive fan of Katherine Ryan’s podcast. This was an easy read, entertaining and true to Ryan’s usual blunt delivery. She’s an interesting person and I always like to hear her views and opinions on subjects. I also have a great respect for her extreme candour and her openness throughout this book is what has stayed with me.

[virgoreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Katherine herself and I personally found it very engaging. The chapters did feel a bit disjointed but it wasn't a major issue.

The Audacity is a an honest, heartfelt and humours memoir.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed as my first ever audiobook! For the most part, I thought it was a interesting and very honest autobiography, but I found there were some cheap jokes and at times it was a bit boring. Would recommend for fans of Katherine Ryan who want to know more about her life.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

"WHY NOT ME?"
Funny, kind and unsuspecting. I loved it all.

7.5/10

[Ash Oldfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never know going into an autobiography, but Katherine Ryan's voice was authentic and gave several hours of blissful escapism. If you're a fan of her work you'll enjoy this book.