[Ad-gifted] In this article, Colette Warbrook shares her thoughts on Doon Mackichan’s memoir: My Lady Parts, published by Canongate.
The Feisty Feminist. The Hot Lesbian. The Desperate Cougar. The Deranged Mother.
Doon Mackichan is best known for her comedy characters, but throughout her career there are parts she’s refused to take and stereotypes she’s continually defied.
In My Lady Parts: A Life Defying Stereotypes, Doon shares her experience on stage, screen and in real life, examining how our culture still expects women to adhere to certain stereotypes – and punishes those who don’t.
What I thought of My Lady Parts
My Lady Parts is no ordinary memoir. Doon makes it clear in her introduction, “to avoid disappointment”, some of the things you won’t hear about in the book. So, anyone who wants to know what Steve Coogan and Matt Berry are like – or, much more intriguingly, why she chose to turn down sleeping with Andy Warhol – should return this paperback to the bookshelf.
But what Doon does promise is a selection of stories of her life so far spanning 40 years “in the business”.
What follows is an honest, unflinching account of her working and personal life, which kept me turning the pages.
I was initially thrown by the openings of each chapter. Each one is written in the style of a short casting call to introduce a different stage in Doon’s life, starting with ‘The Wild Child’. But once I got used to this, I understood this was another technique for Doon to go against the norm in her memoir.
By the end of the book, I couldn’t help but be moved by Doon’s bravery. Not only her willingness to be so candid about the reality of being a woman and a mother in the entertainment industry. But what I really admire is how she continues to call out sexism and other wrongs. As fellow comedian and actor Sally Phillips writes in her endorsement of the book: “Doon’s been the bravest of us, someone who has consistently called out bad behaviour and unnecessary obstacles and challenged the industry to have more imagination towards women, even when doing so would cost her professionally.”
The anecdotes from her career are fascinating and inspirational on their own, while the accounts of her personal life, from illness to family strife, are equally moving, relatable and engaging.
By reading this book, I feel inspired to be more courageous in my own life and not to worry so much about what other people think. In fact, I feel we can all learn from Doon to be that bit more fierce.
How much is the book and where can you buy it?
The paperback book is £7.99. To buy, click here, but please check Amazon because the price may change.
About the book
Title: My Lady Parts
Publisher: Canongate
ISBN: 978-1838856397
Pages: 256
About the author
Doon Mackichan is an actor, comedian and writer. Her comedy credits include Two Doors Down, Plebs (for which she was nominated for a BAFTA), Toast of London, On the Hour, The Day Today, Alan Partridge, and the Emmy-winning Smack the Pony, among numerous other shows. My Lady Parts is her debut.
By Colette Warbrook
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*We were given a copy of the book in return for a feature. All opinions are our own.
17 comments
What an interesting book to read. I will get a copy and read it for sure.
Glad to hear Marie
I love reading memoirs and often find them very inspiring. I am not sure I read anything by Doon Mackichan, I am excited to know more about her and her writings.
Great book to add to your reading list indeed
Looks like a fun, insightful, and interesting book to read. I’ve never checked out this author, though I will like to now and check this book out!
Hope you get the chance to read the book Lavanda
I have always loved her, so I’m eager to read this book. It sounds like some powerful stuff, and I love being able to get a glimpse into her life.
Glad to hear that Beth, it is an interesting book and one worth reading
I love these types of books really challenging the world around us. I’ve not actually heard of Doon Mackichan but it still sounds like a great read x
I hope you can get a copy so you can read it, she is a famous British comedian and actress
Fantastic review. I would get this book just because of the title alone. But now that I’ve read your piece about it, I want to read it even more now!
Exactly! Hence why we love to share reviews of the books we read
Sounds like a fun and interesting book. The title is certainly intriguing.
Very intriguing and the memoir very interesting to read as well
This sounds like such a fun book! I like the title as well, it’s very cheeky.
It sure is Jupiter, a good book to add to your Spring read list
This looks like such a great read. I can’t wait to get my hands on this book! I’ll be sharing this with all the book lovers I know.