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Survival of the Thickest
- Essays
- Narrated by: Michelle Buteau
- Length: 6 hrs and 34 mins
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Publisher's Summary
From the stand-up comedian, actress, and host beloved for her cheeky swagger, unique voice, and unapologetic frankness comes a book of “zesty and hilarious” (Publishers Weekly) essays for fans of Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me by Mindy Kaling and We’re Going to Need More Wine by Gabrielle Union.
If you’ve watched television or movies in the past couple of years, you’ve seen Michelle Buteau. With scene-stealing roles in Always Be My Maybe, First Wives Club, Someone Great, Russian Doll, and Tales of the City; a reality TV show and breakthrough stand-up specials, including her headlining show Welcome to Buteaupia on Netflix; and two podcasts (Late Night Whenever and Adulting), Michelle’s star is on the rise. You’d be forgiven for thinking the road to success - or adulthood or financial stability or self-acceptance or marriage or motherhood - has been easy, but you’d be wrong.
Now, in Survival of the Thickest, Michelle reflects on growing up Caribbean, Catholic, and thick in New Jersey, going to college in Miami (where everyone smells like pineapple), her many friendship and dating disasters, working as a newsroom editor during 9/11, getting started in stand-up opening for male strippers, marrying into her husband’s Dutch family, IVF and surrogacy, motherhood, chosen family, and what it feels like to have a full heart, tight jeans, and stardom finally in her grasp.
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What listeners say about Survival of the Thickest
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Jessica
- 12-28-20
Enjoyable listen, unexpected moments
I didn't understand at first that it was a series of essays. Once I got that in order the book makes more sense. Some have complained that this book isn't cohesive, but it's a series of essays on different toys in her life. Michelle examines so many aspects of her life and I enjoyed sharing in the wisdom she has learned.
8 people found this helpful
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- adriana p marin
- 12-23-20
Great book!
I laughed, I cried, I felt like I went clubbing with Michelle in Miami in the 90’s. What a wonderful book. I highly recommend it.
8 people found this helpful
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- @audiblegirl
- 12-20-20
ABSO LOVEDDD IT!!!
So talented! Thank you for sharing your life. Best audio book I've listen to this year.
5 people found this helpful
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- JLT
- 12-12-20
Hilarious and heartfelt
This book was excellent! I enjoyed it from the very beginning and didn't want it to end.
5 people found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 04-28-21
A MUST READ AND LISTEN!
LOVE LOVE LOVED this book. Michelle Buteau is many things. All of which make her your best friend in your head. She is hysterical, warm, open, raw, engaging, and real. This book will make you relive your carefree youthful days with laughter and thoughtfulness...lesson learned. And how to make you know that you are not alone adulting the rest of your life. I cheer for her as a survivor and her strength and courage to share with us the good, bad, and ugly but mostly good in her life. She will always be my "sister friend" in my head.
3 people found this helpful
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- Maryka Lier
- 01-01-21
Hilarious, Warm-hearted, Irreverent
A wonderful listen and loved hearing it in Michelle’s voice. If you love her stand-up comedy, you’ll love hearing her in this medium. She’s is amazing in the wacky, funny moments and shines in the personal, vulnerable moments. I laughed, I cried, I renewed my commitment to flossing.
3 people found this helpful
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- rainbows are sad
- 07-19-21
This book didn’t feel like one
This Book is the best audible i have right now in my library and i have a lot of books, i will say I couldn’t stop listening to her talk about her life and how it was its brilliant how she kept me interested. Thank you as well audible i will forever hold this book close to me!
2 people found this helpful
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- AhmstFamus
- 05-27-21
Worth it!
Well written, warm, heartfelt and laugh out loud funny. I really, really enjoyed this book.
2 people found this helpful
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- Ikewoody21
- 01-05-22
I love Michelle!
She’s so funny! And hearing her story was so interesting. I have a lot in common so I completely understood where she was coming from… She’s a friend in my head!
1 person found this helpful
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- MWH
- 01-02-22
Was enjoyable, or something like that
I found it to be an likeable read, entertaining and Insightful. Was not my cup of tea, but I liked the taste.
1 person found this helpful
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- A W.
- 11-14-21
Very female. very frank, personal and humourous
Very much liked it... Translation a little hard to keep up with. The title has been one of my favourite phrases for years.. in the UK it means "not intelligent"… in the USA it means… "fat"... As an IC1 male, having been to USA once in 1990, and never the wish to go back, maybe its time to go back now... get Biden to finish your civil war please... Ace
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- Mailey
- 11-11-21
Great listen
This book is a good old time. It is funny, emotional and hopeful. Would recommend.
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- Leigh UK
- 06-11-21
Love her energy!
I laughed a lot, I cried a little bit. I cheered her on and got pissed off with her. A few times, I couldn't believe she had the balls to do what she did. This was a wonderful sharing of life's wild ride. Mostly though, one Caribbean woman to another, I simply loved her unsinkable joy-loving spirit. That's our magic!
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- DEEJAY
- 12-18-20
funny, sad, heartfelt.
loved everything about this book
Michelles delivery is perfect. I laughed cried and he'll year's with her throughout
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- Anonymous User
- 12-14-20
Wonderful book from a wonderful woman
I highly recommend this book! I finished the whole thing in 1 sitting. I've been a fan of Michelle for years, and this book is incredible.