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We Have a Good Time Don't We?
Introducing a hilarious, strikingly original voice from a leading Irish comedian—perfect for fans of Caitlin Moran Maeve Higgins, comedian and lady, smashes the brittle veneer on the creme brulee of life and hands around spoons, so we can all taste the delicious absurdity that lies beneath. She then promises to stop making terrible food analogies about everything. From terrifying bachlorette nights, malevolent dolphins, and angry bakers, to runaway cats, a stalker who won't commit and the curse of over-politeness, Maeve writes with warmth and wit about what it's like to be a regular human girl. And, crucially, she finally reveals the truth about her relationship with Michael Fassbender. Hers is a fresh voice that celebrates the truth of what we really feel about ourselves, through hilarious and perceptive snapshots of a life considered.
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2012
9 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Maeve Higgins
6 books136 followersMaeve Anna Higgins is an Irish comedian from Cobh, County Cork, based in New York. She was a principal actor and writer of the RTÉ production Naked Camera, as well as for her own show Maeve Higgins' Fancy Vittles. Her book of essays We Have A Good Time, Don't We? was published by Hachette in 2012. She wrote for The Irish Times and produces radio documentaries.[2] She previously appeared on The Ray D'Arcy Show on Today FM.[3] Higgins appeared in her first starring film role in the 2019 Irish comedy Extra Ordinary.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 15, 2017
Reading this charming book is like visiting with a favorite girl pal over coffee—the one who doesn't judge you if your eyeliner is smudged and will be the first to prevent you from walking around with spinach in your teeth.
The short essay-chapters each tackle an anecdote or topic with humor, insight, and plenty of emotion. My favorites are the ones that are sprinkled with a feminist punch, too, like "A bulldog with ham arms," in which our heroine realizes that the unkind way we often talk to ourselves has got to stop: "This bulldog with ham arms I was referring to? That was me. Maeve Higgins—a regular human girl with arms made out of muscle and bone and fat and sinew and water and blood, covered by skin with some freckles on it.... My arms are really nothing like ham and my body is really nothing like a bulldog's. Some says, I just think things like that."
There's also the sweet story of how she and her siblings paid tribute to her traveling dad, and a lovely ode to 37-year-old women among the dozens of sweet stories. I read this a few years ago and just rediscovered it recently; it was fun to re-read Maeve's words, and it got me thinking... this would be an awesome book for book club or just to read with a bunch of girlfriends. Smart, funny, thought-provoking, and, ultimately, really warm and human.
The short essay-chapters each tackle an anecdote or topic with humor, insight, and plenty of emotion. My favorites are the ones that are sprinkled with a feminist punch, too, like "A bulldog with ham arms," in which our heroine realizes that the unkind way we often talk to ourselves has got to stop: "This bulldog with ham arms I was referring to? That was me. Maeve Higgins—a regular human girl with arms made out of muscle and bone and fat and sinew and water and blood, covered by skin with some freckles on it.... My arms are really nothing like ham and my body is really nothing like a bulldog's. Some says, I just think things like that."
There's also the sweet story of how she and her siblings paid tribute to her traveling dad, and a lovely ode to 37-year-old women among the dozens of sweet stories. I read this a few years ago and just rediscovered it recently; it was fun to re-read Maeve's words, and it got me thinking... this would be an awesome book for book club or just to read with a bunch of girlfriends. Smart, funny, thought-provoking, and, ultimately, really warm and human.
July 31, 2019
'Within a week of leaving Cobh, this is what I realised- there are millions of ways of living'.
Oh Maeve. All those times I spotted posters for shows in the Firkin Crane just too late, and now you've gone to the States (sigh). I think I'd get on very well with Maeve Higgins if I met her. And, in a way, I have. Such is the wonder of books (and having Mr. WB to buy them as presents!)
I'm a bit behind the times, as Maeve has another book since. Anyway, I really enjoyed this. It cheered me up, it made me laugh, it's gentle and funny and observational. All those little things that might drift around the edge of your subconscious, Maeve picks up and has a careful look at.
In fact, I enjoyed the book so much, that I sent Maeve a message on Facebook to tell her, and how I wouldn't be able to hang around Cobh on the pretext of visiting Dad (hello Dad!) hoping to run into her. Then (spoiler alert!), I read the chapter about her having had a stalker....oops. So, I reassured here that I wasn't a stalker, but rather a happily married just turned 37 year old. Then I read the chapter about how Maeve is crushing on 37-year-old women!
No wonder I'd get on with her!
Oh Maeve. All those times I spotted posters for shows in the Firkin Crane just too late, and now you've gone to the States (sigh). I think I'd get on very well with Maeve Higgins if I met her. And, in a way, I have. Such is the wonder of books (and having Mr. WB to buy them as presents!)
I'm a bit behind the times, as Maeve has another book since. Anyway, I really enjoyed this. It cheered me up, it made me laugh, it's gentle and funny and observational. All those little things that might drift around the edge of your subconscious, Maeve picks up and has a careful look at.
In fact, I enjoyed the book so much, that I sent Maeve a message on Facebook to tell her, and how I wouldn't be able to hang around Cobh on the pretext of visiting Dad (hello Dad!) hoping to run into her. Then (spoiler alert!), I read the chapter about her having had a stalker....oops. So, I reassured here that I wasn't a stalker, but rather a happily married just turned 37 year old. Then I read the chapter about how Maeve is crushing on 37-year-old women!
No wonder I'd get on with her!
December 26, 2012
Very enjoyable collection of thoughts by the hilarious Maeve Higgins. Perhaps fewer laugh-out-loud moments than I'd expected but perhaps more thoughtful and emotive moments than I'd expected too. What I especially loved was her writing style—would you ever write a novel, Maeve?
October 23, 2014
Someone on twitter told me I should read this book, so I did. It was enjoyable enough read -kindo felt like you were having a random chat with one of your girlfriends. I did however find I was only reading a chapter of two at a time, then setting it down and not lifting it again for weeks on end.
August 15, 2023
Is being racist funny?
The first couple of pages of this book are meant to be a lighthearted look at the author's secrets. "I'm racist and xenophobic when jetlagged" isn't amusing or lighthearted to me. The next page goes on to detail how she doesn't always wash her hands after using the bathroom which has me doubting everyone's hygiene now. But back to the racism! I tried to persist and flicked through the next chapter, about a hen party. One of the group won't get in a taxi "because the driver is black" and later calls a man a monkey. Are these her friends?
I flicked through a little more, but the book just felt tainted and I didn't want to give it my time. DNF.
The first couple of pages of this book are meant to be a lighthearted look at the author's secrets. "I'm racist and xenophobic when jetlagged" isn't amusing or lighthearted to me. The next page goes on to detail how she doesn't always wash her hands after using the bathroom which has me doubting everyone's hygiene now. But back to the racism! I tried to persist and flicked through the next chapter, about a hen party. One of the group won't get in a taxi "because the driver is black" and later calls a man a monkey. Are these her friends?
I flicked through a little more, but the book just felt tainted and I didn't want to give it my time. DNF.
December 28, 2019
Charming AF.
January 3, 2013
Want to Marry Maeve... so we can go for runs together and then bake cakes while wearing flowery aprons and drink out tea from cups WITH saucers.
Loving it:) sadly makes me think I never have any original thoughts... I literally said the same thing about holding out for a hero a few hours before I read it!
Finished it way too fast! Overall it way almost as good as How to Be a Woman but in some parts it was better. Very good read... I will buy and read another book if it happens... biography or fiction. I'm in love:)
Loving it:) sadly makes me think I never have any original thoughts... I literally said the same thing about holding out for a hero a few hours before I read it!
Finished it way too fast! Overall it way almost as good as How to Be a Woman but in some parts it was better. Very good read... I will buy and read another book if it happens... biography or fiction. I'm in love:)
March 23, 2016
I know of Maeve from the TV & found her funny enough. But I found this book & there was something about it that piqued my interest.
I really liked her writing style. I thought initially the book might be full of her insecurities (as sometimes her comedy dwells on this too much for my liking) but it wasn't. Her touch was light, I could relate to a lot of her observations & it was well written. It's not a book of short stories or jokes more incidents, musings & memories. It's a really enjoyable read & I look forward to reading her latest book.
(My Dad "tips" around in a blue boiler suit too.)
I really liked her writing style. I thought initially the book might be full of her insecurities (as sometimes her comedy dwells on this too much for my liking) but it wasn't. Her touch was light, I could relate to a lot of her observations & it was well written. It's not a book of short stories or jokes more incidents, musings & memories. It's a really enjoyable read & I look forward to reading her latest book.
(My Dad "tips" around in a blue boiler suit too.)
January 1, 2014
Any Maeve Higgins fan will love this book. It's funny and endearing and will only make you like her more. Throughout the book her tone remains distinct. It really couldn't have been written by anyone else! It's quite like sitting down for a good long chat with her and you finish up feeling like you've known her your whole life.
January 14, 2013
What is this book? Part auto biography, part self-help, part comedy read, part random-thoughts compendium. It's an ok book. I didnt know what to expect but i thought it would be funnier. If you're a fan of the Higg-bomb, I'd imagine it's a must read!
June 11, 2014
Actual rating 2.5. I don't quite know what I was expecting from this book but whatever it was, I didn't get it.
I wasn't aware of the author before starting the book and I do not know whether this would detract from the work in any way.
I wasn't aware of the author before starting the book and I do not know whether this would detract from the work in any way.
May 19, 2024
A series of short essays from the fascinating mind of Maeve Higgins. Massive leaps, tangents and diversions; fantastical perceptions and fiction-laden memories; a series of gems, one after another. It was a fun read and I'll read it all over again very soon!
January 3, 2013
Maeve Higgins is adorable and funny.
January 14, 2013
Love Maeve's humor, I really enjoyed this book
January 28, 2013
Hilarious. I kind of want to hang out with Maeve Higgins and give out about things. I too hate people who make loud mouth sounds and have mad love for flowery teacups.
March 4, 2013
Hilarious
August 13, 2016
If you are familiar with her humour, then you will get a chuckle from this book.
August 24, 2016
I enjoyed this book. It wasn't exactly what I expected but still enjoyable and funny.
June 9, 2014
Good funny read to dip in and out of if you need a bit of a laugh
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews