Hardcover: 240 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (March 24, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1455591432
SYNOPSIS:
From rising comedy star Cameron Esposito, a memoir that is "as hilarious and honest as she is on the stage," tackling the big issues explored in her comedy, including gender, sexuality and feminism - and how her Catholic childhood prepared her for a career as an outspoken lesbian comedian in ways the Pope could never have imagined (Abby Wambach).
Cameron Esposito wanted to be a priest and ended up a stand-up comic. Now she would like to tell the whole queer as hell story. Her story. Not the sidebar to a straight person's rebirth-she doesn't give a makeover or plan a wedding or get a couple back together. This isn't a queer tragedy. She doesn't die at the end of this book, having finally decided to kiss the girl. It's the sexy, honest, bumpy, and triumphant dyke's tale her younger, wasn't-allowed-to-watch-Ellen self needed to read. Because there was a long time when she thought she wouldn't make it. Not as a comic, but as a human.
SAVE YOURSELF is full of funny and insightful recollections about everything from coming out (at a Catholic college where sexual orientation wasn't in the nondiscrimination policy) to how joining the circus can help you become a better comic (so much nudity) to accepting yourself for who you are-even if you're, say, a bowl cut-sporting, bespectacled, gender-nonconforming child with an eye patch (which Cameron was). Packed with heart, humor, and cringeworthy stories anyone who has gone through puberty, fallen in love, started a career, or had period sex in Rome can relate to, Cameron's memoir is for that timid, fenced-in kid in all of us-and the fearless stand-up yearning to break free.
REVIEWS:
"Esposito brings her distinctive and queer-focused brand of humor to the memoir, combining laugh-out-loud moments with somber reflections on gender, sexuality, religion, social power dynamics, and how to start saving yourself."―Booklist
"Save Yourself details [Esposito's] funny, cringeworthy, and insight recollections, from joining the circus to become a better comedian, to coming out at a Catholic college and having period sex in Rome."―Xtra
"This book offers a balm for anyone who has grown up gender atypical and for those who sometimes feel as though they haven't grown up at all."―Oprah Magazine
"Esposito is wildly funny and is particularly adept at finding humor in tough moments. . . This entertaining and candid memoir of finding one's identity will resonate with readers doing the same."―Publishers Weekly
"Cameron's humor is hope. Her quick wit is both a balm and a guide for anyone who has ever stepped out blithely into a world of doers trying to force themselves closed upon us. This book is about survival and love and laughter. I loved it."―Jacqueline Woodson, #1 New York Times bestselling author and actual literary genius
"Cameron is as hilarious and honest in these pages as she is on the stage. Because our stories are so similar, her hard-won wisdom and brilliant humor have helped me heal. Save Yourself is a gift that will help every person who reads it become braver, bolder, and more comfortable in their own perfect skin."― Abby Wambach, author of #1 New York Times bestseller Wolfpack and Olympic soccer star who Cameron believes she's the same size as
"If you haven't seen Cameron Esposito perform comedy, you should be sad, because she's so so so funny, so full of insight, courage, and just plain VERVE. Luckily she invented the written word (or would have if someone hadn't already--she's just that unstoppable) and now you can carry her voice and story and full-throated insistence on living in truth right along with you, every day. And now you can be happy. Finally."―John Hodgman, author of New York Times bestseller Vacationland, plus a very funny man
"It can't be understated how necessary a book like Save Yourself is. . . I think everyone would benefit from reading this book, but most of all I hope Save Yourself finds its way into the hands of every queer person longing for stories like their own."―Tegan Quin, musician, inventor of most lesbian haircuts, and coauthor of High School
"Cameron Esposito is just as fierce and funny and frank on the page as she is out loud. And she's only begun to tell her story."―Paul F. Tompkins, comedian and fairly elected president of podcasting
THOUGHTS:
Cameron Esposito is as funny as she can get with her memoir. At the time of social distancing and anxiety provoking situations we are all going through currently, listening and reading SAVE YOURSELF was not only timely but may have helped in saving myself through this stressful times - at least for me it did! I found myself squirming, giggling, choking on food and liquids, and cringing to my delight.
Esposito explored issues of gender, sexuality and feminism in a Catholic upbringing. Through a very funny and yet honest look at exploring and finding her true self, Esposito delivered a memoir that is fearless and full of heart. A standing ovation for Cameron on a great storytelling! Well done!
AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT:
Cameron Esposito is a Los Angeles-based comic, actor, and writer. Cameron's career has spanned everything from big-budget films to Sundance indies to animation. She costarred in and cocreated the much-lauded Take My Wife, now on Starz, has written for the New York Times, and has appeared as herself on TV, podcasts, and web series alike. Cameron hosts a popular interview podcast, Queery with Cameron Esposito, and her recent hit comedy special, Rape Jokes, raised almost $100,000 for rape crisis intervention.
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