TEN STEPS TO NANETTE

Debut memoir by the Australian comedian.

Early on, Gadsby delivers a hilarious self-assessment: “For most of my life I have been a financially insecure autistic Australian gender queer vagina-wielding situation who does not have a bird-like skeletal system. I might have had a reasonable shot with only one or two of those ‘quirks,’ but not the whole set, and certainly not with Cate Blanchett already in town hogging all the moody lesbian roles. But, honestly, my biggest impediment is that I’m quite lazy.” The author writes frankly about growing up the youngest of five children in Tasmania, sharing colorful childhood anecdotes about her dogs and her distinct inability to make friends. At 12, she suffered through two years of sexual abuse, followed by high school years as a “fat tomboy” haunted by social anxiety and crushes on other girls. Early in her life, Gadsby was aware of Tasmania’s enduring legacy of criminalizing homosexuality. As she matured and began exploring a natural talent for stand-up comedy, this inspired her to advocate for gay reform measures. She soon became a comedy festival favorite, and in 2018, she found on-screen success with her Netflix special, Nanette. As the memoir progresses, the author’s initially stiff prose brightens as she describes her blossoming as an adult with ADHD and autism. These diagnoses helped explain why she hated small talk, an aversion that manifested in an extremely awkward yet hysterical exchange with Jennifer Aniston at an Emmys party. Consistently self-effacing and contemplative, Gadsby acknowledges that her unique brand of deadpan observational comedy isn’t for everyone, especially since it often skewers “the two most overly sensitive demographics the world has ever known: straight white cis men and self-righteous comedians.” Often portrayed by audiences as a woman workshopping her personal demons on stage, Gadsby agrees, conceding that her platform has allowed her to “playfully interrogate my own story and unravel the immature and sometimes toxic versions of events that my younger, traumatized brain had settled on.”

A witty and provocatively written life story.