Clara’s Verdict
Adam Buxton is one of those figures in British culture who is somewhat easier to love than to explain. A comedian, podcaster, musician, TV presenter, and general purveyor of what he calls “waffle” – his follow-up memoir to the bestselling Ramble Book is, like its predecessor, a book that resists neat categorisation. I Love You, Byeee is warm, self-deprecating, frequently very funny, and occasionally genuinely moving. The Observer called it “poignant and properly funny; a bracing dip into nostalgia, but self-aware, too.” That is about right. Published by Mudlark in May 2025, it became a Sunday Times bestseller and landed with 4.4 stars from 155 reviews.
About the audiobook
The memoir covers Buxton’s working relationship with Joe Cornish, their improbable revolution in DIY television, and the early days of podcasting – an era Buxton helped define with his enormously popular Adam Buxton Podcast. Along the way there are encounters with bands including Travis and Radiohead, a spell on Bake Off, the peculiar experience of getting advice on “edginess” from Louis Theroux, and a brush with something described as “drug hell” that nearly ended very badly indeed.
More significantly, the book deals with the challenges of parenting and with the death of Buxton’s mother. These sections are not played for laughs. Buxton has always had an unusual ability to hold comedy and genuine feeling in the same breath – a quality that distinguishes the best memoirs from the merely amusing ones – and it is most apparent here. The loss of a parent, and what it does to your sense of your own position in the world, is handled with a directness that is all the more affecting for being entirely free of sentimentality.
The book also includes, for the audiobook version, hours of bonus waffle and original music – a characteristically generous addition that reflects Buxton’s instinct that if you’re going to do something, you might as well do it properly.
The narration
No narrator is separately credited, which strongly suggests that Buxton reads the audiobook himself – a supposition consistent with his reputation as a vocal performer and the note in the synopsis that “hours of bonus waffle and original music” are included in the audio edition. At 10 hours and 13 minutes and published by Mudlark, this is the kind of listening experience where having the author’s own voice makes a considerable difference. Buxton’s delivery – conversational, rhythmically precise, capable of comic timing without apparent effort – is a significant part of why his podcast has built such a devoted audience.
What readers say
The 4.4 rating from 155 reviews reflects a strongly positive response, with some nuance. JO called it “very funny” and noted its accessibility: “Easy to dip in and out of.” A reviewer posting as A.D. Spellman offered a more considered view: they enjoyed the book but found that not having seen any of the Adam and Joe material made some of the content harder to connect with. KM, buying it on pre-order for a “superfan” husband, reported that he “enjoyed it lots” and added: “maybe would’ve preferred the audio version as Adam’s great to listen to.” A point that proves itself.
Who should listen?
Obviously, I Love You, Byeee will be most immediately satisfying for existing fans of Buxton’s work – listeners who know the podcast, who remember the Adam and Joe Channel 4 shows, or who loved Ramble Book. But it has genuine cross-over appeal for anyone who enjoys memoir that balances comedy with honest emotion. If you’re at all interested in the history of British alternative comedy, DIY television, or the strange early years of podcasting, there is a great deal here to engage with. And if you simply want a book that will make you laugh and occasionally catch you off guard, this is a reliable choice.
Listen to I Love You, Byeee by Adam Buxton on Audible UK – get it here.
