The Stand-Up Mam by Kay Wilson

Georgie Chancellor has worked hard for her perfect life. She has a beautiful home, a loving husband and healthy teenage children. Everything she has ever dreamed of is hers, so she thinks she can forget about her troubled girlhood. But when her family enter her for a stand-up comedy competition, she realises that only the truth will do. Encouraged by her mentor Jaz, she riffs on how she really feels about her life. Audiences love it, and Georgie’s star begins to rise. Will stand-up success destroy everything she has created?
The theme of The Stand-Up Mam grabbed my attention right away. The idea of a middle-aged, middle-class woman wanting to be a stand-up comedian is so original it is almost unbelievable. But we do believe, because this novel is based on the real-life experiences of Tyneside debut author Kay Wilson, who was inspired to fulfil her own dream of doing stand-up after recovering from a brain haemorrhage.
The problems Georgie encounters - living up to her husband’s standards while nurturing teenagers - will be familiar to many women. What is striking about Georgie’s way of handling her frustrations is that she does it publicly. Instead of moaning to her mates, she gets up on stage and makes people laugh by complaining about her nearest and dearest. Most people would recognise this as a pathway to disaster, but Georgie acts on her handsome mentor’s advice to make it real.
The Stand-Up Mam is an entertaining read which will leave the reader with plenty to think about. Personally, I was puzzled by Georgie’s relationship with food. Although she craves the simple fare of her childhood, she comes across as an adventurous cook who enjoys creating impressive dishes. This is fair enough when she is entertaining her husband’s clients, but I did wonder why she goes so much trouble for her annoying teenagers. A few days of beans on toast would have done them no harm at all.
The Stand Up Mam: The perfect mother becomes a dark-comedy queen and finds her voice for the first time