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Cack-Handed
- A Memoir
- Narrated by: Gina Yashere
- Length: 8 hrs and 42 mins
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Cack-Handed
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Summary
The British comedian of Nigerian heritage and co-executive producer and writer of the CBS hit series Bob Hearts Abishola chronicles her odyssey to get to America and break into Hollywood in this lively and humorous memoir.
According to family superstition, Gina Yashere was born to fulfil the dreams of her grandmother Patience. The powerful first wife of a wealthy businessman, Patience was poisoned by her jealous sister-wives and marked with a spot on her neck. From birth, Gina carried a similar birthmark – a sign that she was her grandmother’s chosen heir, and would fulfil Patience’s dreams. Gina would learn to speak perfect English, live unfettered by men or children, work a man’s job, and travel the world with a free spirit.
Is she the reincarnation of her grandmother? Maybe. Gina isn’t ruling anything out. In Cack-Handed, she recalls her intergenerational journey to success foretold by her grandmother and fulfilled thousands of miles from home. This hilarious memoir tells the story of how from growing up as a child of Nigerian immigrants in working class London, running from skinheads, and her overprotective mum, Gina went on to become the first female engineer with the UK branch of Otis, the largest elevator company in the world, where she went through a baptism of fire from her racist and sexist co-workers. Not believing her life was difficult enough, she later left engineering to become a stand up comic, appearing on numerous television shows and becoming one of the top comedians in the UK, before giving it all up to move to the US, a dream she’d had since she was six years old, watching American kids on television, riding cool bicycles, and solving crimes.
A collection of eccentric, addictive, and uproarious stories that combine family, race, gender, class, and country, Cack-Handed reveals how Gina’s unconventional upbringing became the foundation of her successful career as an international comedian.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Agnes B
- 09-07-21
Enjoyed getting to know Gina
Love Gina’s humour and knew nothing about her personal life. This memoire is an interesting insight into so many aspects of not just her life but the socio cultural and political context, the shocking racism she suffered, the comedy circuit and showbiz, the awful sexism. It was great to hear this read by her. Wishing her all the best success in the US.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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- Audible Fan
- 09-12-21
My lips are still smiling...
A joyous and very funny listen! l burst out laughing so many time! Granny... how long do we have to wait for part 2?
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- KC
- 01-10-21
Loved it!
What a brilliant life story!
Love Gina.
Was a very open, frank and hilarious insight into her upbringing and career.
Found myself literally laughing out loud on my walks while listening.
Hope there’s a part 2!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Dejah b.
- 12-07-21
Hilarious!!
I loved this book, one of the best I have ever listened to! It was really easy to listen to and way better than any road trip playlist!
My thousand mile journey was filled with laughter!
‘Twas great while it lasted and if there is a sequel I’ll be pre-ordering again!!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 21-07-21
Great listen
not only funny (as expected) but very informative and so very interesting, loved that it was narrated by the author.
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- Steven l
- 20-07-21
A MUST READ
Gina says it how it is and she had me laughing all the way through!
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- Baldicat
- 16-07-21
A journey eloquently shared
I loved this book...huge fan of Gina...She tells her story with raw honesty that kept me glued...Her tenacity and focus shines through with humour and humility...Being Black and British in the same time space shared so many fond memories of schooling ...parenting friendships love of music n fashion...Couldn't put the book down...well worth the wait looking forward to part two...💯❤
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anna Obarzanowska
- 28-07-21
Hilarious and traumatising in equal measure
Gina Yashere is a great narrator - of course she is! She's a natural performer and she gives it her all here, too. Wonderful narration. She tells us her story, weaving in the social and political struggles that women, and in particular Black women, face, here in the UK, Nigeria and in all of the places she's visited. And she is a seasoned traveller, so she gives the reader many angles, all told with great comedic timing.
There's a wonderful throwback to the '90s in the book, too, which I enjoyed - give me a high five if you too had Reebok pumps!
Witty, serious and silly. You're in for a ride.
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- Helen
- 10-08-21
Amazing
Loved Gina for a long time now and this memoir did not disappoint. Poignant, hilarious, honest. Love it
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- Wendy
- 02-02-22
Brilliant!
I really enjoyed listening to Gina tell her story.
She is hilarious and I have always been a keen fan, having watched her on TV and also live, last time at Fairfield Halls Croydon.
As a woman of West Indian descent, her story gave me an understanding of what life was like for young people of African descent growing up in England with strict parents and traditions. I really felt for her, but also for her mother, bringing the children up in the only way she knew.
Both are amazing women in difficult circumstances.
I am glad that I now know about more Gina’s life.
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