Joyful Recollections of Trauma

By: Paul Scheer

Narrated by: Paul Scheer

Length: 6 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

From award-winning actor and comedian Paul Scheer, a candid and hilarious memoir-in-essays on coming to terms with childhood trauma and finding the joy in embracing your authentic self, featuring content exclusive to the audio edition, including excerpts from live shows and audio clips from home movies.

Paul Scheer has entertained countless fans and podcast listeners with stories about the odd, wild, and absurd details of his life. Yet these tales have pointed to deeper, more difficult truths that the actor and comedian has kept to himself. Now, he is finally ready to share those truths for the first time—but, of course, with a healthy dose of humor.

Blending the confident, affable voice that has won him a dedicated following with a refreshing level of candor, Joyful Recollections of Trauma chronicles Paul’s often shocking, admittedly tumultuous childhood and how the experiences of his youth have reverberated throughout his life. In his comedy, Paul has always been unafraid to “go there,” to play naïve, cringeworthy characters, imbuing them with disarming charm and humanity. That daring openness is on display in this memoir, but in true Paul fashion, it is also surprising, eye-opening, and side-splitting.

In this madcap journey through the inner working of his mind and creative process, Paul Scheer demonstrates once again that the truth is often stranger—and funnier—than fiction. Joyful Recollections of Trauma offers a unique perspective on universal themes: growing up, working through a challenging childhood, staying true to yourself, and finding success, fulfillment, and happiness in often strange and difficult circumstances. Throughout, Paul shares both the hard-fought lessons and the laughter that can be found in the darkest parts of life, and reminds us that what matters is not what you’ve been through but who you are becoming. If you loved recent memoirs by Molly Shannon, Maria Bamford, RuPaul, and Jennette McCurdy—or any book that moves you to both laughter and tears—Joyful Recollections of Trauma is the perfect listen for you.

©2024 Paul Scheer (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

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Paul is a wonderful story teller, I've been a fan of the Podcast years and his character on The League is hilarious. His book isn't all comedy and laughs, obviously based on the title itself, Paul has some rough times, and quite frankly, a bit heartbreaking as a child but built him into who he is now. Well done, Paul, FIVE STARS!

A joyful journey

I've been a huge HDTGM fan for a long time, so when I heard this book was coming out, I knew I needed to get it.
Paul Sheer is so honest and vulnerable, while still creating so many laugh out loud moments. I absolutely loved hearing more about his and June's partnership as well.
inserting clips from the podcast was also a fun surprise.

Such an amazing book!!

I had high hopes for this book, I adore Paul and have listened to his podcast, How Did This Get Made, since it began. This book was so much deeper than I expected, it wasn’t just comedy - it was an insight into his soul. I love his love for June, his kids, his family - it shines in this book.

Paul stories

After years of getting hints at the childhood of Paul on podcasts and Twitch, you finally get the whole story. A lot more serious and hilarious than expected. Great storytelling and so much more than a typical audiobook.

Worth a Listen

Been a fan of Paul Scheer for years and never knew just how much he endured as a kid. Definitely worth a listen!

Weaving the Sacred and Profane

Providing equally on laughs and vulnerability can be no small thing. Being a witty person can often mean using humor to downplay or deflect the trauma in your life. Paul does no such thing here, telling a mix of surreal and daunting stories, he does a wonderful job showing what a path of healing can look like. Come for the bizarre celeb stories, stay for the raw looks at a traumatic childhood. "five stars"

Worth it!

If you love How Did This Get Made? then this is an absolute must read.

love this book!

Great insight into one of my favorite comedians. The audiobook is the only way to do it!!

Absolutely accurate title

I have never laughed so hard or consistently through such a tale of traumatic events. I appreciate that Scheer has found a way to treat himself so tenderly and grow into a strong-willed and successful adult (and family-man), given the poor examples of parenting and frequent shortcomings in the adults in society who one would normally expect to look after a kid.

This audiobook has a lot of bonus content not in the book, which itself is a generous tale. This whole experience is above and beyond what I expected.

That this was a real life story about the adversity a person faces in life, rather than a safe sugar coated celebrity autobio.

Not what I expected, but pleasantly surprised. Engaging story about dealing with a difficult uncontrollable life situation and coming out okay on the other side of it, with some classic Scheer humor sprinkled in.