I don't watch comedy, and I'd never heard of this book. I was browsing in the bookshop at Gatwick, and bought it on impulse. My flight was delayed, but I soon didn't care because I was lost in the pages of this brilliant book. Every story takes you into a different world, and I spent the first day of my holiday totally absorbed in finishing it.
I've never heard of most of the comedians, so I read their stories without any preconceptions. I loved Tim Vine's, because it was so silly, but held an emotional truth. John Dowie's was brilliant because of the passion of its main character, and insight into his world.
Jim Tavare and Dave Thompson's I liked because as well as making me laugh out loud, the story had a dream logic. I read it a second time, and the symbolism worked on a deep level without needing any humour. At the end, I felt like I knew the house and the coastline where it takes place.
Dominic Holland's story was lovely, and Stewart Lee's was also full of positive energy.
I'm waiting for the second volume!