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How to be Champion: The No.1 Sunday Times Bestselling Autobiography Hardcover – 5 Oct. 2017

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 11,939 ratings

Hilarious, heartwarming and inspirational, this is the number 1 Sunday Times bestselling autobiography by comedian Sarah Millican. The funniest book of the year!

*****
'The naughtiest, helpiest, laughieoutloudiest and goodest book I've ever done reading on. Give that girl a banana!' DAWN FRENCH

SARAH MILLICAN'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH, FEEL NORMAL AND PROBABLY SNIFF YOUR LEGGINGS.

Part autobiography, part self help, part confession, part celebration of being a common-or-garden woman, part collection of synonyms for nunny, Sarah Millican's debut book delves into her super normal life with daft stories, funny tales and proper advice on how to get past life's blips - like being good at school but not good at friends, the excitement of IBS and how to blossom post divorce.

If you've ever worn glasses at the age of six, worn an off-the-shoulder gown with no confidence, been contacted by an old school bully, lived in your childhood bedroom in your thirties, been gloriously dumped in a Frankie and Benny's, cried so much you felt great, been for a romantic walk with a dog, worn leggings two days in a row even though they smelt of wee from a distance, then this is YOUR BOOK. If you haven't done those things but wish you had, THIS IS YOUR BOOK. If you just want to laugh on a train/sofa/toilet or under your desk at work, THIS IS YOUR BOOK.

'Of course Sarah Millican's book will make you laugh out loud, but there are moments where she will touch you deeply. The dirty bitch.' KATHY BURKE

Kindle Storyteller Award 2024
Check out this year's winner: 'Stateside' by J.D KIRK. Read more
Popular highlights in this book

Product description

Review

'The naughtiest, helpiest, laughieoutloudiest and goodest book I've ever done reading on. Give that girl a banana!' Dawn French

'Of course Sarah Millican's writing will make you laugh out loud, but there are moments where she will touch you deeply. The dirty bitch.'
Kathy Burke

'A properly funny autobiography had a one-night stand with a genuinely inspirational self-help book and this is their lovable mongrel offspring.'
Frank Skinner

'Do not read this while eating tomato soup. You are guaranteed to laugh and stain something.'
Sandi Toksvig

'Funny and honest. Sometimes too honest. Like your nan when she's drunk at Christmas.'
Ricky Gervais

'This is everything you want Sarah's first book to be. Outrageously funny, painfully honest and deliciously filthy.'
Phillip Schofield

'What a fantastic comedy victory for the peerless Madam Millican... Blows much of the erudite, smug old bollocks in bookshops out of the water.'
Jo Brand

'Like Sarah - funny, wise and authentic. Read it!'
Miranda Hart

'Just like her stand-up: nothing is off limits, honest, candid, but most of all laugh-out-loud funny.'
Alan Carr

'Settling down with the divine Ms M's book is like cosying up with your best mate, big laughs, intimate confessions, earthy wisdom and hilarious, self-deprecating honesty, it's all there.'
Meera Syal

'Hilarious and heartwarming, just like the author.'
David Walliams

'If you like Sarah, read this book and you will love her. If you already love her, you will love her even more.'
Michael McIntyre

'As cheering and neccessary as a sweary cup of tea.'
Caitlin Moran

'
How To Be Champion does something all too rare, it encourages us: to laugh at our flaws, to value ourselves, and also to fight back when the chips are down. It's as hilarious as it is touching. This book should be taught in schools!' John Robins

'Witty, wise, forthright and very funny. Terrific!'
Graham Norton

'A wonderful read... Sarah Millican is a national treasure.'
Matt Lucas

'Just as wise and funny and honest as [Sarah] is. Loved it.'
Jojo Moyes

'Original, thoughtful and inspiring; I found myself laughing out loud on far too many occasions to count.'
Jason Manford

'As good as a cuddle.'
Sarah's dad

'This book is ballsy, naughty and sexy, just like its author. Also most importantly FUNNY, with the occasional flash of the vulnerable woman beneath the bold-as-brass exterior. If you don't love her your heart is dead.'
Richard Herring

'Not just a book, this will make you laugh, hold your hand when you're feeling wobbly and whisper into your ear, that not only are you normal, you're "champion".'
Jenny Eclair

'I knew Sarah's book would be hysterical because she is one of the best comedians in the world, but her book is also wise, touching, heart warming and uplifting. Buy it for all your mates!!'
Sara Pascoe

'This book is empowering, vulnerable and, of course, hilarious. Which is like every time I've ever spent with the always inspiring Sarah Millican.'
Joe Lycett

'I've had Sarah in the bath, in bed and even on the train and I can honestly say her book is the best relationship of my life. Hilarious, honest and emotional. It's like having a best friend in a book. A triumph.'
Susan Calman

'A wickedly smart, throbbingly relatable, hysterically funny book that will remind you that you're never alone - you've always got Sarah Millican. As good as a girls' night in with your best friend and your favourite cake.'
Deborah Frances-White - The Guilty Feminist

'Sarah Millican is as funny in book form as she is onstage, which is very funny indeed.'
David Baddiel

'This book is completely brilliant. If you don't love it, come find me.'
Claudia Winkleman

'You know when you cry laugh and nod over-enthusiastically with a friend because what they're saying is so funny and so true? That's how I felt about Sarah's wonderful book'
Louise Pentland

The one-liners come thick and fast in comedian Sarah Millican's memoir HOW TO BE CHAMPION, and when bad things happen - bullying or divorce - the jokes become funnier and more real. You'll be laughing a lot, crying a bit and cheering for her, too (
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING)

One of our favourite stand-ups looks at her own life to show that life doesn't have to be perfect and you don't have to be amazing all the time. Packed with laugh-out-loud stories and advice, this will delight her many fans (Fanny Blake
WOMAN & HOME)

I do not recommend you read this book in public, unless you like snorting and crying with laughter in front of strangers. This is a book in which the writer's warmth shines through and the advice really is responsible and helpful. Do read it, you will learn something; even if it is just how to bake a cake (Kate Stone
FUNNY WOMEN)

Written with the sort of warmth and sincerity that hallmarks her stand-up. Her book is, in short, champion (
CHORTLE)

Funny, feisty and just a little bit filthy, the fast-talking Geordie is one of Britain's best-loved comedians. Her book, a combination of memoir and self-help book, will make you laugh out loud (
BEST)

Down-to-earth superstar Millican tells her own story here of how she turned to stand-up after the break-up of her first marriage and conquered the male-dominated comedy world. Honest, touching and, like Millican's stand-up shows, endearingly smutty (
EVENING STANDARD)

Book Description

Sarah Millican's autobiography will make you laugh, feel normal and probably sniff your leggings.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 1409174301
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Trapeze; 1st edition (5 Oct. 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9781409174301
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1409174301
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16.4 x 2.7 x 24.2 cm
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 11,939 ratings

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Sarah Millican
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
11,939 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They find the humor amusing and the story relatable. The author is described as honest, candid, and down-to-earth. Some readers felt emotionally moved by the book, with some crying while others laughed. Overall, it's a heartwarming, funny, and thought-provoking read.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

655 customers mention ‘Readability’632 positive23 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and enjoyable. They describe the author as relatable, down-to-earth, and funny. The book provides good advice for women.

"It's really funny and heartfelt. A good read from cover to cover that I couldn't put down. And loving the baby photos too" Read more

"Dammit this women is raw!..." Read more

"I really enjoyed this and it gave me a great deal of pleasure." Read more

"...This is a joy to read, with lots of humour as you would expect. I even found myself reading it in Sarah’s accent lol! Highly recommend." Read more

607 customers mention ‘Humor’540 positive67 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor. They find it entertaining and say it makes them smile. The author's writing style is described as funny and readable, as though she were talking to them.

"Very funny read. Recommended for everyone" Read more

"It's really funny and heartfelt. A good read from cover to cover that I couldn't put down. And loving the baby photos too" Read more

"Dammit this women is raw! Makes the unmentionable laughable and I would wager my life that all women out there will recognise themselves somewhere..." Read more

"...It mad me sad, it made me joyful, it makes you feel that just like you and I this lady came from a humble background and one day she got her break...." Read more

234 customers mention ‘Heartwarming’234 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring and thought-provoking. They find it relatable, engaging, and heartfelt. The author offers wise advice and a brilliant attitude.

"It's really funny and heartfelt. A good read from cover to cover that I couldn't put down. And loving the baby photos too" Read more

"I loved how this book took you on a journey which was both ordinary and extraordinary...." Read more

"...'ll find her voice in your head as you read and she's not afraid to address difficult topics...." Read more

"Well, what can I say, written as though Sarah was talking to you. Informative and so funny. Brilliant analogies...." Read more

120 customers mention ‘Honesty’120 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's honesty in the book. They find it candid without being hurtful, with real advice and witty humor. The book is described as an easy read that includes elements of real life.

"...But, I’m prepared to give it a go. I also love this for her absolute honesty. Thank you Sarah for being champion x..." Read more

"Sarah is funny 😁 real and down to earth 🌎. A must read 📚 . I really love the personal photos...." Read more

"I enjoyed this book. It is an honest and forthright account of her life and work to date...." Read more

"...Sarah is extremely and sometimes brutally honest in her book and I was smiling throughout the majority of the book...." Read more

60 customers mention ‘Tears’54 positive6 negative

Customers find the book humorous and emotional, with moments of laughter and tears. They describe it as witty and funny, yet also poignant. Readers mention feeling emotionally engaged page by page.

"...It mad me sad, it made me joyful, it makes you feel that just like you and I this lady came from a humble background and one day she got her break...." Read more

"...watched her shows then that's not unexpected and it's all in a light hearted way...." Read more

"...It’s not like that at all. It is poignant, sad and funny, sometimes all in the same page...." Read more

"...I laughed out loud and felt emotionally challenged page by page. What a great read...." Read more

39 customers mention ‘Storytelling’29 positive10 negative

Customers enjoy the author's storytelling style. They find the book relatable, with amusing and sad tales from Sarah's life. The author is honest and doesn't sugarcoat her stories. Readers appreciate the memoir-like content and self-help aspects of the book.

"...life lessons, to the ups and downs of life, she has always been incredibly relatable and inspires you to always try and see the silver lining in..." Read more

"...Great insights into who she is and why. Straightforward story telling which some might describe as "brave"...." Read more

"Sort of all right but a bit repetitive- Did not really need all the foul language in there but seems to be the norm for our so called comedians..." Read more

"...Everyone else - go for it! Its an enjoyable collection of tales from Sarah's life. Some are amusing, some sad...." Read more

30 customers mention ‘Autobiography’24 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the autobiography. They find it honest and forthright, with an insightful account of the comedian's life and work. The book is easy to read and better than many celebrity biographies out there, with humor and self-help tips mixed in.

"I enjoyed this book. It is an honest and forthright account of her life and work to date...." Read more

"...Or the most helpful autobiography. I loved it...." Read more

"...voice comes through every page, she is funny, witty, and tells her story in a genuine way...." Read more

"...And very feminine. Chaotic. Imaginative. I enjoyed Millican's torrent of ideas. I didn't like what I felt was padding - on cake recipes...." Read more

23 customers mention ‘Swearing’5 positive18 negative

Customers dislike the excessive swearing in the book. They find it vulgar and rude, with some naughty moments. Some readers feel the swearing is not funny, and the end of each chapter seems patronizing.

"Bit heavy on the reproductive body parts and she can swear a bit and is very frank about personal hygiene but all-in-all a good story...." Read more

"...Its quite funny but also quite rude in places. i find that its a book to dip into, not to read pages at a time...." Read more

"...As for the constant swearing and crudity, I just found it a bit juvenile. Sarah should watch Bill Hicks' videos to see how to do it properly." Read more

"...much Sarah Millican's personality in one- funny, sweet, and a little bit rude...." Read more

5 Stars (more if they were available)
5 out of 5 stars
5 Stars (more if they were available)
📖 I’ve been a Sarah Millican fan for years, I love her style of comedy and I have been lucky enough to see her live a couple of times (and have my prized flower badge to prove it). I’ve had this book lurking on my bookshelves for quite some time and clearly waited far too long to read it as it is a delight!✍️ This book is an interesting insight into Sarah’s life, including a bit of everything from school, work, marriage, divorce, and of course her career as a comedian. Each chapter has tips at the end on how to be champion, often these are ways to see the positive in an otherwise crappy situation (or just advice on stationery or cakes – which is always a good thing).🗣 I often think it’s useful to see an extract of a book to get an idea of the author’s writing style. One of the things I loved about this book was it has a WHOLE chapter dedicated to the love of stationery (as a stationery addict, this chapter spoke straight to my soul). With so many Instagram-worthy quotes in there (and this book in general). I thought this line from my favourite chapter might make you chuckle too: My notebooks are like someone you know rubbing your back; ‘It’s okay, I’m still in your handbag/ on your bedside table/ in the car. Here, have a clean page for all those new cock jokes.’👓 One of the best things I took away from this book (notebooks and stationery love excluded) was Sarah’s honest look at mental health, counselling and body image.💭 Overall View: A brilliant book, Sarah comes across as funny, sweet, and self-deprecating. It feels like you are sitting down having a cuppa and natter with Sarah. Overall a really positive experience and I’m very pleased I’ve read it.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 December 2024
    Very funny read. Recommended for everyone
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 August 2024
    It's really funny and heartfelt.
    A good read from cover to cover that I couldn't put down.
    And loving the baby photos too
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 December 2024
    Dammit this women is raw! Makes the unmentionable laughable and I would wager my life that all women out there will recognise themselves somewhere in this book. (And, a lot of the men too)
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 October 2024
    I really enjoyed this and it gave me a great deal of pleasure.
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 December 2023
    I loved how this book took you on a journey which was both ordinary and extraordinary. It mad me sad, it made me joyful, it makes you feel that just like you and I this lady came from a humble background and one day she got her break. This is a joy to read, with lots of humour as you would expect. I even found myself reading it in Sarah’s accent lol! Highly recommend.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 February 2018
    I've read several autobiographies or extended essays by comedians in the past year and found that there's very little correlation between being funny on stage and being funny on the page. Miranda Hart's book was painfully awful, the wee Scottish lady who was on Strictly was so boring about mental health that I couldn't bring myself to review it on Amazon for fear of the inevitable flood of negative ratings, and if you've ever tried Dawn French's novels, then you'll know why comedians should stick to being funny and not trying to write books. Despite ALL of that, I still took a punt on Sarah Millican's 'How to be Champion' and I rather enjoyed it.

    It helps of course if you like the person who you are reading and it's hard not to like Millican. It also helps to not mind a lot of graphic stuff about periods and masturbation - so think twice about buying this one for a reader of delicate disposition.

    On the page, Millican is authentically herself. You'll find her voice in your head as you read and she's not afraid to address difficult topics. Her divorce, her shyness and insecurities, her choice to not have kids and her menstruation habits all come in for plenty of coverage and you can't help but think she's one brave lady to put all that out there. She touches on depression after her first husband left her, and writes plenty of stuff that won't make you think 'Here's a lovely confident and totally 'together' woman of the world' - but then if she tried to do that, wouldn't we all know that she's faking. That said, her "I'm fat and I dress badly and I don't give two hoots that you think so" rant near the end of the book had me ready to stand up and cheer - or as she would perhaps suggest, to kiss my 'guns' and high five myself.

    As celebrity biogs go, it's very enjoyable but I struggle to go much about 3-stars for what's basically reading a long chat with somebody you like. 3 stars - despite what Amazon insist upon - is not a negative rating. It's a fun book, it's enjoyable and it's not full of typos. That's a 3 for me.

    From one ex-WH Smith Saturday Girl (Salisbury store, record department) who has no kids and loves cats to another, I'd have to say "Sarah, you're Champion".
    17 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 December 2023
    Sarah’s book is a snapshot of her - having been to a few of her shows - which always make me feel good, never belittled or stupid - it was so easy to hear her voice coming from the pages. Yes she swears - if you’ve seen her live this won’t be a shock, if you haven’t and you’re reading this before you’ve read the book you are now prepared 😁
    The chapters are short, easy to read and all contain a gem of how to be champion at the end.
    Her early life made her who she is - I found that interesting and because my memory is shot (thanks menopause) I enjoyed the references back to it in other chapters.
    I’m not sure if the cake recipe she says is the best ever - my mum handed down a very awesome version of that recipe and it goes down an absolute treat with whoever I make it for! But, I’m prepared to give it a go.
    I also love this for her absolute honesty.
    Thank you Sarah for being champion x
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 June 2024
    Good value for money
    Funny book

Top reviews from other countries

  • Nick Adams
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in Canada on 31 October 2024
    Very funny person and it shows.
  • Deann
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious and Heartfelt too !
    Reviewed in the United States on 29 March 2024
    I just love Sarah Millican and her book is a funny, great read. If you want to laugh out loud, then read this. A great book for a fun gift too. Catch her on Facebook too, she will have you LMAO.
  • Michelle Fletcher
    5.0 out of 5 stars A good read Millican shares more of her beginnings and rise to fame
    Reviewed in France on 4 October 2024
    Warm autobiography. Lovelyv woman so not a big head z as pleasure to read
  • mommyinvienna80
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brave and entertaining
    Reviewed in Germany on 9 August 2021
    I was pleased to have stumbled across short videos of Sarah Millican on Facebook around the beginning of this horrible year. Her brilliant humour has lifted me during some tough times and her book is not an exception to her stand-up. My personal favourite highlights from the book were all of her how-to-be champion endings of each chapter, insights on bullying, being an introvert but especially not taking s*** from anyone. Thank you, flower.
  • Raquel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Divertido
    Reviewed in Spain on 2 June 2019
    very funny as always. I read the whole thing un Sarah’s voice