I'm Just a Person: My year of death, cancer and epiphany

Description

In the span of four months in 2012, Tig Notaro was hospitalized for a debilitating intestinal disease called C. diff, her mother unexpectedly died, she went through a breakup, and then she was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer. Hit with this devastating barrage, Tig took her grief onstage. Days after receiving her cancer diagnosis, she broke new comedic ground, opening an unvarnished set with the words: 'Good evening. Hello. I have cancer. How are you? Hi, how are you? Is everybody having a good time? I have cancer.' The set instantly went viral, and was ultimately released as Tig's sophomore album, Live, which sold one hundred thousand units in just six weeks and was later nominated for a Grammy. Now, the wildly popular star takes stock of that no good, very bad year - a difficult yet astonishing period in which tragedy turned into absurdity and despair transformed into joy. An inspired combination of the deadpan silliness of her comedy and the open-hearted vulnerability that has emerged in the wake of that dire time, I'm Just a Person is a moving and often hilarious look at this very brave, very funny woman's journey into the darkness and her thrilling return from it.

Tig Notaro is an American stand-up comic, writer, actor, and radio contributor. In 2015, Tig's HBO stand-up special premiered along with the Netflix original documentary about her life. She also returned for season two of the critically acclaimed series Transparent. Tig remains a favourite on Conan and This American Life, tours internationally, and enjoys bird watching with her partner at their home in Los Angeles.

The book is heartbreaking, and brilliant, and funny... it's fantastic. Ellen Degeneres An incredible example of what comedy is good at, which is taking people to the scary parts of their mind and making them laugh in those scary places Louis C.K. Notaro's thrilling, candid, and hilarious memoir is a provocative and convincing rallying cry to seize the day Booklist I'm Just a Person will make you laugh, or cry, or both. Marie Claire Notaro's story is funny not because it's true (although it is), but because it's told by the world-class stand-up with wit and vulnerability. O Magazine Anyone who can write a sharply funny-and bravely optimistic-story about losing her mother, going through a break up, and being diagnosed with breast cancer all in the span of four months is an absolute heroine in our book. All hail, Tig Notaro! -- Glamour Comedian Tig Notaro takes pain and successfully converts it into laughs in I'm Just a Person... It's an intriguing and inspiring look at one woman's way of pressing on Bustle I'm Just a Person is Tig's journey in her own words, taking us through the repeated and unexpected heartaches of loss, the awkwardness and humiliation that comes with being ill, and all the social and personal struggles that come with either of those taxing situations. And yet, she has penned a very funny, deeply moving narrative. This isn't emotional torture porn or blandly uplifting treacle; this is hardcore honesty and sincerity told through a hilarious, sardonic lens. Not only is it a terrific, meaningful read, but it was a wonderful guidebook that helped me be there for a friend who endured a similar loss. Knowing what to say and what not to say is just one worthwhile lesson Tig provided amongst all those laughs and poignant words. Glen Dallas, Manhattan Book Review A tragedy turned into a thing of beauty Elle UK