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Perfect Sound Whatever

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
3.84 goodreads logo

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( 5,621 ratings, 595 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Perfect Sound Whatever, James Acaster takes readers on a witty journey through his tumultuous year of 2017, where he seeks solace in the music released in 2016. This memoir encompasses his deep dives into the music he discovered during a challenging time in his life, mixing humour with introspection. As Acaster shares personal stories and insights, he highlights the power of music in shaping our experiences and emotions.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're a fan of candid and humorous storytelling, as it delves into the author's journey of using music to cope with a challenging year in his life. It's an ideal pick for those who appreciate memoirs filled with wit, personal anecdotes, and a deep love for music.

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The Sunday Times bestselling memoir from James Acaster: cult comedian, bestselling author of Classic Scrapes, undercover cop, receiver of cabbages.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Sunday Times Bestseller

The brand new memoir from James Acaster: cult comedian, bestselling author of Classic Scrapes, undercover cop, receiver of cabbages.

Perfect Sound Whatever is a love letter to the healing power of music, and how one man's obsessive quest saw him defeat the bullshit of one year with the beauty of another. Because that one man is James Acaster, it also includes tales of befouling himself in a Los Angeles steakhouse, stealing a cookie from Clint Eastwood, and giving drunk, unsolicited pep talks to urinating strangers.

January, 2017

James Acaster wakes up heartbroken and alone in New York, his relationship over, a day of disastrous meetings leading him to wonder if comedy is really what he wants to be doing any more.

A constant comfort in James's life has been music, but he's not listened to anything new for a very long time. Idly browsing 'best of the year' lists, it dawns on him that 2016 may have been a grim year for a lot of reasons, but that it seemed to be an iconic year for music. And so begins a life-changing musical odyssey, as James finds himself desperately seeking solace in the music of 2016, setting himself the task of only listening to music released that year, ending up with 500 albums in his collection.

Looking back on this year-long obsession, parallels begin to grow between the music and James's own life: his relationship history, the highs and lows of human connection, residual Christian guilt, and mental health issues that have been bubbling under the surface for years. Some albums are life-changing masterpieces, others are 'Howdilly Doodilly' by Okilly Dokilly, a metalcore album devoted to The Simpsons' character Ned Flanders, but all of them play a part in the year that helped James Acaster get his life back on track.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Perfect Sound Whatever by James Acaster is celebrated for its comforting and witty exploration of music's rejuvenating power, particularly focusing on 2016 as a standout year. Reviewers praise Acaster's dry humour and insightful anecdotes about musicians, which paint a vivid picture of modern music culture. The memoir is regarded as honest and entertaining, showcasing Acaster's unique perspective as both a comedian and music enthusiast.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781472260314

Publisher: Headline Publishing Group

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 September 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Headline Book Publishing

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 237g

Pages: 336

About the Author

James Acaster is an award-winning stand-up comedian and the author of three Sunday Times bestselling books. In 2018, James released his four-part Netflix stand-up collection, Repertoire. A year later he completed a mammoth tour of his hugely successful show, Cold Lasagne hate Myself 1999, around the UK, Australia and America. His podcast Off Menu, which he hosts with Ed Gamble, is a regular in the Apple top 10 list.

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