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Please wait while you are redirected…or Click Here if you do not want to wait.Jimmy has joked that, during lockdown, agents / managers were ringing comedians and telling them to either write a book or start a podcast. He opted for a book and then later joked about how it was a good excuse, when being asked to help with his newborn son. And so, he gave us:
- Before & Laughter – a life-changing book (hardback, Kindle & audio book)
- Before & Laughter – The hilarious guide to changing your life (paperback)
The hardback was released 30 September 2021 and the paperback 12 May 2022. The audio book is 6 hours and 45 minutes long and he narrated it himself – as you can see from this promo video, filmed in the recording booth.
It’s kind of a combination of bits of an autobiography – but through the lens of what he’s learnt from his life journey (and written in his distinctive witty, sweary, style). Not the usual self-help guidance, delivered in a dry, theoretical way – but what he’s experienced as someone who was dyslexic enough to warrant being in remedial classes (until 10 or 11) and yet went on to go to Cambridge and have a career as an international Stand-up, TV Host, author etc.
Life and career advice with added dick jokes.
Think of the best podcasts that he’s done, where he’s dropped pithy soundbites of advice, and you’ll get an idea of what the book is like. Some of the blurb said:
Because you might be interested in Jimmy’s life but he’s damn sure you’re a lot more interested in your own, Before & Laughter is about both of you. But mainly him. It tells the story of Jimmy’s life – the transformation from white-collar corporate drone to fake-toothed donkey-laugh plastic-haired comedy mannequin – while also explaining how to turn your own life around and become the you you’ve always dreamt of being. At just £20, it’s cheaper than Scientology, quicker than therapy, and significantly less boring than church.
Because it’s Jimmy Carr – recently scientifically proved to be the funniest comedian in the UK – there are jokes, jokes and more jokes throughout. If laughter really was the best medicine, the NHS would be handing out this book in Nightingale Hospitals.
Fascinating, thoughtful and insightful – are all words that appear in the book.
Jimmy tells us, for example, how he was unhappy, working for Shell in the Marketing Department. He was trying out 5-minute stand-up routines in rooms above pubs and, when a redundancy programme was announced, a man who was expected to be on the Management track, opted instead to take the package and ran away to “join the circus”.
Talking about how much he loves comedy and encouraging people to examine their life he asks:
What do people say is hard for them, but you find easy? What is something other people value that you can do? What you do anyway, even if no one paid you?
That last line in particular has inspired people to consider whether their hobby (or passion) would pay enough to become their job.
See also – “What I really wanted to call my book” – humourous, short video.
Contents
- A Carr is born
- Superpowers of the average comic
- Part 1 – What do you want?
- Part 2 – Feel the fear and shit your pants
- Part 3 – Happy disposition
- Part 4 – The best medicine
- Part 5 – Sad clown
- Part 6 – So, I got publicly shamed
- Part 7 – Living on the edge
- Part 8 – Creativity / hack
- Part 9 – Talking points
- Part 10 – Work is more fun than fun
- Part 11 – Don’t leave luck to chance
- Part 12 – Love is revolution for two
Terribly Funny Book Tour
In 2021 Jimmy did a “Terribly Funny Book Tour”. He was in the middle of his Terribly Funny 2.0 tour and, for some shows, tagged on a bit at the end where Stuart Goldsmith came on stage to interview him about the book.
Tickets for these 5 shows were £35 – but that included the stand-up show, conversation with Stuart Goldsmith, Q&A session and a copy of the hardback book.
- Oct 3rd 2021 – Manchester, Palace Theatre
- Oct 4th 2021 – Newcastle, Tyne Theatre & Opera House
- Oct 8th 2021 – Cardiff, New Theatre
- Oct 10th 2021 – Birmingham, Hippodrome
- Oct 11th 2021 – London, The Savoy Theatre
Cover / Dust Jacket
Before the book was printed / released the mock-up cover was this rolled up sleeves photo with a grey background (with the “cover coming soon” message on).
The actual hardback release was then the blue background dust cover, with him holding a mask of his solemn / sad face.
The paperback release had different cover text and his name changed from yellow to red.
In Sept 2024 the new print edition was changed to match the artwork for his Laughs Funny tour. The Kindle book now displays this “cover”.
Book Mentions
- Malcolm Gladwell – Outliers
People Said…
A few reviews, to give you an idea of what people thought.
- ‘So good. I’ve loved every second of reading it’ – James Corden
- ‘Very funny and very beautiful, packed with jokes and genuinely wise advice’ – Chris Evans
- ‘I was really annoyed at how good this book is and that’s the biggest compliment I can give’ – Romesh Ranganathan
- ‘It’s the first life advice book from someone whose life you would actually want’ – Katherine Ryan
- ‘Riveting’ – Daily Mail
A great read, kept me engaged which is rare these days. I’ve been looking for a while for a book that was going to inspire me to read more – this was it. I was more interested in his philosophy on life than the life of a comic and I want more of his views on life. Philosophy with profanities – what’s not to love! / Davy Jones Locker, 23 Dec 2024, Amazon
I chuckled my way through this book and annoyed my other half by reading out paragraphs that particularly tickled me; and at the same time, I have been inspired to improve my life. I’m not a sloth by any measure, but sometimes we all need a nudge to do things we’ve been talking about for a while. This book has done that, as well as showing why Jimmy Carr is the success he is. One of the best books I’ve read for a very long time. / C.Gerrard, 3 Jan 2022, Amazon
Well worth reading. The man has compassion, insight and depth. Whodda thunk it? / Rowan, 1 Jan 2023, Amazon
Jimmy Carr successfully mixed funny with insightful. I already considered him my favourite comedian but now he’s one of the greatest. It’s a must read. / Florian, 7 Jan 2022, Amazon
Wonderful book brimming with Jimmy’s classic wit and comical observations. At first I was a little disappointed that it seemed to be more of a self-help book than an autobiography but once I relaxed into that fact, I realised it was a golden opportunity to be coached on life by Jimmy. And there are some absolute gems from his life too. Overall, this book kept me laughing throughout and left me feeling extremely optimistic. Tick, tick, tick! / Abigail, 22 Dec 2024, Amazon
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