Clara’s Verdict
Pierre Novellie was diagnosed with autism at 31, triggered by a heckler at one of his own gigs. That origin story – a comedian undone, then illuminated, by an audience member – is a perfect emblem for what makes this audiobook so effective. Novellie has the comic’s instinct for observation and timing, combined with the analytical rigour of someone who has spent years trying to understand why the social world never quite added up. The result is one of the finest books about neurodivergence I’ve listened to in recent memory: honest, funny, and genuinely useful. The fact that Novellie narrates it himself means every joke lands exactly as intended.
About the Audiobook
Published by Blink Publishing and running to 10 hours and 28 minutes, Why Can’t I Just Enjoy Things? was nominated for Best Book at the 2025 Chortle Awards – a comedy industry accolade that reflects Novellie’s standing as a performer. But this is far more than a comedian’s memoir. Novellie uses his own diagnosis as a jumping-off point for a wide-ranging exploration of the autism spectrum: what it means to receive a diagnosis as an adult, how the diagnostic criteria have historically disadvantaged certain groups, and why “just enjoying things” is genuinely complicated when your brain processes the world differently. The audiobook includes an exclusive Q&A with comedian and BudPod co-host Phil Wang, adding an extra dimension for fans of comedy. The writing is sharp throughout – Fern Brady called it “outstanding,” Frank Skinner described it as “gobsmacking” – and those are not endorsements to dismiss.
The Narration
Novellie narrating his own work is the right call, full stop. Stand-up comedy translated to the page can lose its rhythm without the performer’s voice to carry it, and Novellie’s delivery is precisely calibrated – he knows when to let a comic observation breathe and when to press on. His read of his own diagnosis and the years of misunderstanding that preceded it carries an emotional weight that a third-party narrator would struggle to replicate. At just over 10 hours, this is a comfortable single-week listen that rewards attention.
What Readers Say
Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 414 reviews, the reception has been exceptional. “A humane, compassionate look from a very able young man,” wrote J. Drew, noting the book’s nuanced handling of the spectrum. MR D G HART was more direct: “Some of his recounts had me laughing my socks off.” Remco de Vries summed up what many readers feel: “Whether you are diagnosed with autism or have family or friends with autism, this book will help you understand it in a practical way – and since the author is a stand-up comedian, it is wittily written and very accessible.” Charlotte Halkett captured the broader appeal: “Feels like it should be essential reading for everyone.”
Who Should Listen?
This is essential listening for anyone with an autism diagnosis – recent or long-standing – and equally valuable for the family members, partners, friends, and colleagues who want to understand the experience better. It is not a clinical text; it is a deeply human one, written by someone who lived with confusion for decades before things clicked into place. Comedy readers who enjoy memoir will find it accessible even without a personal connection to neurodivergence. Listen to Why Can’t I Just Enjoy Things? on Audible UK – and then press it into the hands of whoever in your life needs it most.
