I’m Not as Well as I Thought I Was

The Sunday Times Bestseller

De: Ruby Wax

Narrado por: Ruby Wax

Brought to you by Penguin.

Dear Reader,

Checking into a mental clinic wasn't exactly on my radar in 2022. Writing about it wasn't either. But here we are.

I spent a lifetime trying to create a 'front' to give everyone the illusion that all is well. It wasn't, and it isn't. Now I look back and I think, 'what the f*ck was that all about?'

I began the book trying to find meaning by going on various, life-changing journeys, I ended up in a mental clinic; obviously things didn't work out the way I expected. This is the story of what happened after the mental car crash . . . From then on, the journey had to turn inward. It turns out I wasn't looking for meaning, I was looking for home.

I'm not a fiction writer. I can't fake it. I could say I rode into the sunset, but life isn't like that unless you're a cowboy. Truth is I'm not as well as I thought I was.

These days, trying to stay sane in a completely chaotic world makes life incredibly difficult. For those readers who are deep in the darkness of mental illness, I hope my book makes you feel less alone.

Take care, love,
Ruby x


'One of the most powerful books of the year' Daily Mail

'Nobody can make the serious funny and the funny serious quite like Ruby.' - Alastair Campbell

'If you buy only one book this year, make it this one.' - Joanna Lumley

'A true tour de force. We're all a little messed up in our own ways, but we should all strive to be as fabulously fearless as Ruby.' - Fearne Cotton

As seen on Channel 5 Castaway

Sunday Times bestseller, May 2023

©2023 Ruby Wax (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

An exceptional account on mental health from a true tour de force. We're all a little messed up in our own ways, but we should all strive to be as fabulously fearless as Ruby (Fearne Cotton)

Not only will this book make you feel less alone, it also might just change your life (Scarlett Curtis)

If you buy only one book this year, make it this one. Brilliant, heartbreakingly funny and painful: I couldn't put it down (Joanna Lumley)

Nobody can make the serious funny and the funny serious quite like Ruby. It's why she is so important to the mental-health debate (Alastair Campbell)

One of the most powerful books of the year

An unflinchingly honest account

An open account of the benefits of therapy, particularly cognitive behavioural therapy, can only benefit readers and the book is a firm reminder that everyone can struggle

Follow Wax on the winding road on which she tries to find herself, where you'll encounter many side-splitting laughs, the odd tear and no doubt fragments of yourself along the way

There is no-one as witty, inspiring and frank as Ruby Wax when it comes to mental health - this book provides a brutally honest and thoughtful insight into Wax's journey, including conversations with therapists and the highs and lows of fame

A typically sharp read, full of wit and brutally honest observations

Raw and honest

I couldn’t give this 5 stars because there’s parts, particularly early on, that just feel like a stream of consciousness but I was glad I persisted. It’s a raw and honest account of her life as it unfolded over the last couple of years with insights into what went before that help to explain the difficulties and successes she’s experienced. As someone who’s been to an event where Ruby was speaking I now completely understand why she was late and can totally forgive her for it. If I’d had the nerve to speak to her I now know that she would have said something funny whilst silently envying some aspect of my looks or personality. I found that quite comforting.

Just fabulous!!!

Just finished this fabulous book and in a matter of hours! I cried. I learned. I laughed - a lot! Ruby Wax is a godsend. I saw myself in so much of what she shares here — her struggles, experiences and was so moved. Every word was healing, truly. THANK YOU, RUBY! 🤗🥰