What I Would Do if I Were You dispatches from the frontline of family life

by Mandy Nolan

Welcome to the wonderful, slightly-wacky world of Mandy Nolan. She is a stand-up comedian, an artist and a mother of five children ranging in age from toddler to teenager. Her on-stage accounts of everyday events of family life have entertained audiences for years. WHAT I WOULD DO IF I WERE YOU is a hilarious collection of stories centred around Mandy's chaotic and slightly dysfunctional family life and her attempts to be the like the perfect, ideal mother she knows exists ... somewhere. Mandy's perspective on home life and all its complications is delightfully unconventional and, above all, wickedly funny. Her humorous take on the bizarre events and mundanities of daily life are honestly and sharply observed whether it is tryingto revive her children's dying guinea pig, coping with their Facebook friends, explaining the dangers of sex and drugs (while hoping desperately they don't find out about her own past indiscretions), battling against head lice and the politics of lunch-making, railing against being a human taxi or struggling to regain her own disappearing self-identity. WHAT I WOULD DO IF I WERE YOU, also, features Mandy's illustrations, which complement her stories with humour and wit and are sure to delight parents everywhere.

Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Aliak · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a pleasant surprise. I can't believe how honest the author is. Her writing is funny and smart. I don't usually enjoy parenting books but this one is so Australian and funny. My favourite was the chapter on the Tsunami that never came. Well done Mandy, I could see how this stuff could be comedy gold when performed for stand up.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is HILARIOUS

[Keira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest, gorgeous and human! Loved it :)

[Carmel]

Very funny

[Mik · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a mother of three I found parts of the book relatable but overall I was bored. It drags on....and on...and the jokes felt very forced, I did not laugh once and I am usually easily amused.

[Nadine Borg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Hilarious, honest and just, well...awesome!