Pierre Novellie writes autism memoir 'Why Can't I Just Enjoy Things?'

ExclusiveTuesday 5th March 2024, 8:42am by Jay Richardson

Subtitled A Comedian's Guide to Autism, Pierre Novellie's first book will be published on 18th July
The comic was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, after a heckler suggested he had the condition at a gig
The diagnosis answered questions he's had throughout his life: why were people in primary school obsessed with Britney Spears and not The Goon Show like him?

Pierre Novellie has written his first book, a memoir about his autism, British Comedy Guide can exclusively reveal.

Why Can't I Just Enjoy Things? shares a title with his 2022 Edinburgh Fringe show. Subtitled A Comedian's Guide to Autism, it will be published on 18th July by Blink Publishing, which has put out memoirs by Katherine Ryan, Lou Sanders, Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe in recent years.

As with his friend and fellow comic Fern Brady, whose book about her autism, Strong Female Character, won the Nero Book Award for non-fiction, and last night, best book in the Chortle Awards, Novellie had it suggested to him that he was neurodiverse by an audience member, who heckled him during a gig. Subsequently, at the age of 31, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Unravelling his world and explaining his struggles, the diagnosis answered questions he's had throughout his life: why were the other kids obsessed with Britney Spears instead of The Goon Show? Why don't people ever say what they mean? Why is everyone chewing so loudly?

In the book, Novellie offers an entertaining explainer for the uninitiated and observational comedy for the neurodiverse.

He is also about to begin a 10-night run at London's Soho Theatre of his most recent Edinburgh Fringe show, Why Are You Laughing?, from 26 March to 6 April (excluding 31 March and 1 April), before touring the UK in October and November.

You can pre-order Why Can't I Just Enjoy Things? here:

Pierre Novellie - Why Can't I Just Enjoy Things?: A Comedian's Guide To Autism

By Pierre Novellie

Comedian Pierre Novellie was on stage when a heckler suggested he was autistic. Usually, this disruption would be water off a duck's back but two things made this heckler different: first, he was himself autistic. Second, he turned out to be absolutely right.

This random encounter led to a diagnosis of autism at the age of 31 that unravelled his world, explained his struggles and answered questions that had bothered him for his entire life: why were the other kids obsessed with Britney Spears instead of The Goon Show? Why don't people ever say what they mean? Why is everyone chewing so loudly?

At once a hilarious and insightful journey through autism and neurodivergence, an entertaining explainer for the uninitiated and observational comedy for the neurodiverse, this is the perfect read for anyone who has ever asked themselves: why can't I just enjoy things?

First published: Thursday 18th July 2024

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