I Think I Can See Where You're Going Wrong: And Other Wise and Witty Comments from Guardian Readers

by Marc Burrows, Tom Gauld (Illustrator)

Here are the wittiest, wisest, most bonkers of the Guardian readers' comments on every subject from food (mostly quinoa), ethics (mostly guilt), politics (mostly angry), travel (mostly skiing), sport (mostly banter), sex and drugs (mostly awkward), culture (mostly harmless) and blocked comments and abuse (mostly baffling).

The Guardian community moderation team, frantically read, block and sift through thousands and thousands of comments from all over the world desperately trying to keep things on-topic, legal and enjoyable. Jacked up on coffee, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year they work to preserve that most precious of things: conversation, opinion and the fundamental human right to be wrong on the internet. Here they've chosen the best readers' remarks from the Guardian's Comment is Free section.

Illustrated by the deadpan genius, Tom Gauld.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

192 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2014

Reviews

[Sam Quixote · Rating 1 out of 5]

I Think I Can See Where You’re Going Wrong is a collection of, ahem, “humorous” comments made by members of the public on The Guardian’s open forum, Comment Is Free.

Here are some sample comments:

Why on earth would anyone use Microsoft Internet Explorer if they had a choice?
On Bradley Wiggins: This man was knighted for riding a bike? The mind boggles.
So how does Spider-Man become Spider-Man then? Something to do with a spider I bet?
University Challenge is pretty much the only thing on TV that’s worth watching.

To be fair, there are some mildly amusing comments sprinkled here and there:

I think Lance Armstrong should be applauded for winning the Tour de France. When I took shed loads of drugs I couldn’t even find my bicycle.
This 3D printed Keanu Reeves doll actually has more facial expressions than the real one.
I didn’t know Keanu Reeves HAD three dimensions?

I Think… is more of a coffee-table book that you'd page through listlessly than something you’d be able to read like a novel. But even so, it’s not the greatest of concepts. If you want to read dumbass comments, go on any website with a comments thread and have a browse through the inanity below - I highly recommend Youtube for some really mental people! More than anything, I Think… reminds you why comment is free, because what’s said on these sites is worthless.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the ideal coffee table companion(or bathroom book). I laughed out loud multiple times while reading this, and often found myself nodding along or rolling my eyes at all the silly/witty/insane comments by Guardian readers.

Some references are exclusively British, so if you are of other origin you might find some things do go over your head a bit, however the footnotes really helped in this regard.

Overall I found this to be a quick, hilarious read that many people would enjoy. My only complaint is that I wish that this was longer!



Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[verbava · Rating 1 out of 5]

чарівна назва, непогана передмова, вкрай underwhelming цитати. із тим самим успіхом можна просто почитати яку-небудь секцію коментарів.

[Stefani - SpelingExpirt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Think I Can See Where You’re Going Wrong: And Other Wise and Witty Comments From Guardian Readers Edited by Marc Burrows is a collection of the insightful, funny and often utterly barmy comments that you see below articles on the Guardian website.

When I was a kid I stayed with some relatives who had a book in their bathroom that was filled with the most random facts out there all collected into one place. You could open it up on literally any page and find out a peculiar fact. I borrowed it one night and read it under my covers, I was the sort of kid who couldn’t just open it at any page, I had to read it in order.

I feel like this would be the perfect replacement for that bathroom book, you can open it up on any page and read something at least mildly amusing.

Read the rest of the review and more at SpExReviews

[Cecilie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m currently trying to read through books I have on my “bookshelf of shame” (it’s a long list of books), and this is one of them.. I have no recollection of buying this book. I’m guessing I thought it would be a fun read. It was fine..?

[Flo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read- some good humour.

[Tone Hesjedal · Rating 2 out of 5]

The occasional bright spark, but a lot of tedium.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this compilation and I think it's a nice idea to showcase the occasions when people have put thought and wit into their comments. Usually the only time comments are curated and republished is when they are all accidentally funny because they are incredibly stupid. This can still be hilarious (Aktifmag do some great Herald Sun comment compilations) but after a while it can make you a bit sad about the state of humanity. In contrast the Guardian's compilation is more uplifting (with a few accidentally funny crazies here and there) and provided many genuine laugh out loud moments.

The only negative was that there are only about 6 illustrations; Tom Gauld is my absolute favourite illustrator and so I was hoping for one illustration per page or something like that. The included ones are great but I do wish there had been more.

[amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

****An ARC of I Think I Can See When You're Going Wrong by Marc Burrows was generously provided to me via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

I laughed a lot!

This book is a post and comments about it and I enjoyed reading it so much. Mostly because it's funny and witty and not heavy at all so I can read it in one sitting. Almost like reading in your screen but with no radiation. :)

Overall I liked it and look forward to read this kind of book anytime soon!

[Elle Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

It gets 2 stars for making me laugh out loud more than three times which is very rare for a book to do, however, the bulk of the 'witty' comments lose something when taken out of their point of origin, and the book falls a bit flat. But I did giggle a bit at this one: "If a placebo can make people feel better and improve quality of life, why can't homeopathy?"

[Cecilia · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a compilation of vaguely amusing comments, this book is exactly what you would expect. My main problem with this is that I was not expecting very much and also that unfortunately most of the wit to be found on the Comment Is Free section of the Guardian is much funnier in context.

[Colin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mildly amusing comments from the guardian message boards. I can't help but feel this is an incredibly cynical way of recycling someone else's jokes and selling them as stocking fillers. A book to keep by the toilet for a week after Christmas and then forget.