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Failure Is an Option

An Attempted Memoir

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Failure Is an Option

By: H. Jon Benjamin
Narrated by: H. Jon Benjamin
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About this listen

Actor, voice actor, and comedian H. Jon Benjamin helps us all feel a little better about our own failures by sharing his own - despite his success starring on Archer and Bob's Burgers - in a hilarious, self-helpful memoir.

While he's not quite a household name, most people would consider H. Jon Benjamin, the voice-actor star of Archer and Bob's Burgers (and a sentient can of mixed vegetables in 2015's Wet Hot American Summer) a comedy show business success. But he'd like to remind everyone that as great as success can be, failure is also an option. In a hilarious, self-deprecating memoir, Jon lays out some of his many failures in all areas of life, from Work ("wherein I'm unable to deliver a sizzling fajita") to Family ("wherein a trip to PF Chang's fractures a family").

Fans of his characters' signature wit and voice will rejoice in H. Jon Benjamin's comical failures - and appreciate a rare look into the life of the man behind their favorite shows.

©2018 H. Jon Benjamin (P)2018 Penguin Audio Entertainment & Celebrities Performing Arts Celebrity Comedy Funny Witty Stand-Up

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Critic reviews

“His craft, and what makes him such an inspired and singular voice, is to make it look easy.... That it’s decidedly not that easy is part of the gag; writing this funny requires immense talent.” (AV Club)

“It’s that voice.... Had me laughing out loud.” (The New York Times)

“Benjamin’s stories run the gamut from personal to professional and will leave you laughing out loud and embracing your own failures.” (HelloGiggles)

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Enjoyed every word from start to finish, and having H. Jon Benjamin narrate it himself only adds to the enjoyment.

Thoroughly enjoyable.

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I wasn't sure what to expect, but really glad I took a chance on it. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer.

Laugh-out-loud funny

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After reading the book I decided to get the audible edition as I felt I required the voice, that voice to gently talk me to sleep.

I love this book, it reminded me that it's not over and there are so many things that I need to try and screw up. we need to stop being so hard on ourselves and others, it doesn't matter if we fail it only matters that we tried. I look forward to his next book, magazine or pamphlet. thank you sir.

fail upwards.

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Simply loved it, couldn't stop laughing. His voice paired with his experiences / failures make it a compelling and entertaining audiobook.

Amazing!

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This memoir is written with a "Failure" framing device which I felt was unnecessary. There's a lot of talk about failing in life, failing at this and that. He writes to professors to ask about failures in history and such. If he had just written his stories then it would have been hilarious.

The first chapter or two were dire but then the next few chapters were so funny I couldn't stop laughing, him as a kid home alone, bowel problems, him trying to build shelves, there was some funny stuff there.

Then he goes back to talking about Failure and complains that he had to make a certain word count. This annoyed me because I think it was true. He lists dumb business ideas or names for things and reads e-mail chains in an attempt, in my opinion, to make it up to a certain word count (this is a short book as is).

Then he gets back to funny stories and the book ends well despite an epilogue about failure. It's a shame that the good bits were sprinkled amongst some junk. The narration was good though. Nice having a book read by Archer.

Bit of a mixed bag

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This an excellent book for any H J fan. Having him read it really adds to it. I continually kept saying back to the radio “you can just call it New York”.

Great book

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Really funny book several moments are laugh out loud funny. I did find some of the filler to get a bit tedious and boring for example the failed inventions section but overall was really funny and definitely recommend

Great book albeit some waffle/filler

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Really liked it. found it entertaining and always been big a fan of H.J. Benjamean

Great listen, i found it funny and really enjoyed

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The anecdotes and stories are great and well worth the listen.
The interlude sections are unfunny and a bit random.
4/5 if you like Bob’s Burgers or Archer, you’ll like this audiobook.

Great listen

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Amazing! 5+hours of H. Jon Benjamin's voice was even better than I expected. Danger Zone!

Wait... I had something for this

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