Book Review - How Not To Be a Boy by Robert Webb

I have to admit to being a little surprised that I enjoyed How Not To Be A Boy as much as I did, but in my defence, it's just that Robert Webb wasn't really on my radar.
My boyfriend has always been a huge fan of The Peep Show (the show in which Webb starred with David Mitchell), but I could always take it or leave it - I mean really, two gormless human beings trying to navigate the world as "men" - it is, at times, truly excruciating viewing.

But the brilliance of this book stems from that very juxtaposition - what does becoming an adult have to do with being a man? And further, how are we helping our children prepare for their adult lives when we are still perpetuating the boy/girl tropes?


Robert Webb does a great job of navigating these topics in this hilarious, candid and very moving memoir.  His is a story is about how cruel and incredibly crippling the guidelines he was given for being a man have proven - excruciating, indeed.

There is no doubt Webb has a flair for storytelling.
There is an element of being a good friend
in a prolonged (albeit one-sided) conversation about  the experience of growing up with all the painful and hilarious anecdotes that go with it.  Webb allows you to know him incredibly well.  There were many times  I was laughing at the mere suggestion of a punch-line, just knowing full well what was going through his mind.
Of course it's not all laughs.  Not only does Webb share some painful moments with the reader, he also shares the shameful ones.  Neither he, nor his friends or family, come out unscathed.

Whilst this is predominantly a memoir, Webb's ability at bringing clarity to what he's learnt, from what seems like some pretty extensive reading on the subject of gender, is very compelling.  And timely.
Indeed, there is much to recommend about this book.

So for fans of the actor, get to know the writer.  For those looking for something deeper, you will find that here too.