Once upon a (very very) long time ago Jo Brand was what you might describe as 'a nice little girl'. Of course, that was before the values of cynicism, misogyny and the societal expectation that Jo would be thin, feminine and demure sent her off down Arsey Avenue. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol.13, no.29. 20 July 1996. p.13 . Retrieved 25 January 2020.

When Brand does deal with feminism in a chapter that proposes a “Re-Branding” of the word, it predominantly offers a slightly patronising synopsis of feminist waves and suggests that feminists should learn to communicate better with each other and remember we are all on the same side. It’s an important point but Brand shies away from really building an argument, or offering guidance, to women as to how to progress the feminist debate. With so much incredibly well-informed, intelligent discourse happening on this subject today, readers deserve more in a book positioning itself as one that aims to help. Conversational toneWe wanted to create a space which would convert the uninitiated, challenge the misconception that poetry is dull, boring and not for them

Music Week gave "Born Slippy .NUXX" five out of five in 1996, describing it as "an anthem for a generation". [8] AllMusic wrote that it was "simply one of the best slices of electronica one will find. Musically austere in its emotional textures, the song becomes a nearly unstoppable force ... Dance music is rarely so artistic and enjoyable in the same instance." [9] In 2017, Vice described "Born Slippy .NUXX" as one of the 90s' most iconic songs, [3] writing that it "mixed sublime synths with a four-to-the-floor freakout, and represented everything that was going on; it was new." [3]

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Today, Jo turns unflinchingly to love and friendship. This includes the story of an unsuitable teenage boyfriend and the appalling poetry he inspired, as well as Jo’s five golden rules for keeping friends (even if they do say you look like Brian Blessed in drag). a b c Lynskey, Dorian (24 February 2006). "Born Slippy was a greyhound we bet on". The Guardian. London . Retrieved 26 April 2010. Now she's considerably further along life's inevitable journey and, in this memoir, she reveals a side of herself that we don’t normally hear - the things she wishes she'd known and the things she hopes for the future. As you’d expect, she pulls no punches.

British single certifications – Underworld – Born Slippy". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 7 January 2022. I suspect, as one might expect, female readers are likely to get more from this. And perhaps those struggling with self-image issues (but then again who, male or female, doesn’t have such struggles at times?) most of all? If Jo Brand reaches folks like them, I guess she’ll have achieved her goal. Jo Brand turns advice giver in a typically irreverent guide to life. She says she's messed up enough times to feel confident she has no wisdom to offer anyone. But who cares? She's going to do it anyway. Indeed, whilst there are plenty of moments where she says things I can relate to, such as people becoming far less polite and tolerant than they might normally be once they get behind the wheel of a vehicle, there are quite a number of moments where she says things that completely contradict my experience. As for example where she says that as soon as you start pushing a pram around you become invisible. I’ve often noticed how a lot of mothers – and it’s noticeably the mothers, not fathers or grandparents or helpful siblings. – use their prams, baby and all, as either battering rams or territorial markers. a b c d e f g Godfrey, Alex (24 March 2017). "How 'Trainspotting' Made Underworld's "Born Slippy" One of the 90s' Most Iconic Songs". Vice . Retrieved 15 August 2020.One of the most perplexing aspects of this book is how little is aimed at women in particular, despite its How To Do Female manifesto. The common-sense advice offered on subjects such as coping with bullies, surviving dysfunctional families and not falling in love is relevant to all members of the species although it is hard to envision many men choosing to read it in light of its positioning. Brand’s intentions are good; it is clear she wants everyone to board the “Good Ship Feminism” but the moments of fighting talk are negated by what appears to be a somewhat jaded fatigue. On the inside cover, the blurb reads “if there’s one thing we women are entitled to, it’s having a bloody good moan”. Listinn Topp 40 (20.7. – 26.7. '96)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 20 July 1996. p.42 . Retrieved 2 October 2019. Born Slippy Nuxx (UK & European CD single liner notes). Junior Boy's Own, V2 Records. 2003. JBO5024703. Brand’s adult perspectives do seem dominated by a legacy of negative experiences, mostly around the nexus of issues around women’s bodies, beauty, and weight. Her professional success has enabled her to salvage some positives from it all, and that’s really at the core of the best of what this book has to offer.