WHAT THE **** IS NORMAL?!
Francesca’s debut book was published by Penguin Random House in May 2014 to critical acclaim…
It was nominated for Best Book Award in the Chortle Comedy Awards and came Runner-Up in the Bread and Roses Radical Publishing Award 2015.
“If you grow up in a world where wrinkles are practically illegal, going bald is cause for a mental breakdown, and women over size zero are encouraged to shoot themselves (immediately), what the hell do you do if you’re, gasp … DISABLED?”
Whatever body you’re born into, the pressure to be normal is everywhere. But have you ever met a normal person? What do they look like? Where do they live? What do they eat for breakfast? And what the **** does normal mean anyway?
This is the funny, personal, and universal story of how Francesca Martinez learned to stick two shaky fingers up to the crazy, toxic and impossible expectations of a world obsessed with being normal.
Reviews and Recommendations
“A cheerful optimistic belly-laugh broadside at prejudice and a wonderful testament to the power of Being Funny. I love Francesca Martinez.”
“Insanely funny.”
“Not only funny but poignant and hugely entertaining.”
“Very Funny.”
“A blistering critique of the political and social forces that uphold this damaging myth (of normality).”
“A very, very important book... Brilliant”
“Francesca doesn’t want to be an inspiration but she bloody well is…the rumour that’s been going around for years that women aren’t funny is completely and utterly exploded by this wonderful woman and the stories she has to tell.”
“A wonderful read! Warm, funny and unforgettable.”
“This illuminating, sharply written page-turner is as important as it is entertaining.”
“Beautiful.”
“As entertaining as it is moving ... This book is a wonderful, funny, warm coming-of-age memoir about finding your own path in life. Long may she wobble.”
Francesca has performed at numerous literary festivals and is regularly invited to speak about her book to audiences in the uk and abroad…
