Don't Put Yourself on Toast

A Memoir

By: Freddy Taylor

Narrated by: Freddy Taylor, Gabrielle Glaister

When Freddy was 21 years old, his dad, a larger-than-life, successful TV producer, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive type of brain cancer.

In vivid snapshots, Freddy recalls how his world is turned upside down—from the entertaining antics of a wine-gum tossing competition in a hospital ward, to the comi-tragedy of trying to decipher his father's muddled riddles as his speech disintegrates, to painful moments of regret and self-loathing as he squanders precious time.

Don't Put Yourself on Toast is a bittersweet coming-of-age memoir that offers a reminder of the power of humour and laughter to provide, even in our darkest moments, sustenance, comfort and hope.

©2022 Freddy Taylor (P)2022 Octopus Publishing Group

Critic reviews

"A startling debut.... This book will make you want to hold everyone you love close, reminding you that life may be fleeting but the people in it never are." (Picked for Esquire magazine's Best Books of 2022)

Sad and funny and highly entertaining

Relatable and honest. A very loving portrait of illness that feels heartbreaking and real. Took a chance on this and glad I did.