Sure, I'll Join Your Cult

A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere

By: Maria Bamford

Narrated by: Maria Bamford

From “weird, scary, ingenious” (The New York Times) stand-up comedian Maria Bamford, an instant New York Times bestselling, brutally honest, and “laugh-out-loud funny” (Jennette McCurdy, #1 New York Times bestselling author) memoir about show business, mental health, and the comfort of rigid belief systems—from Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People, to Richard Simmons, to 12-step programs.

Maria Bamford is a comedian’s comedian (an outsider among outsiders) and has forever fought to find a place to belong. From struggling with an eating disorder as a child of the 1980s, to navigating a career in the arts (and medical debt and psychiatric institutionalization), she has tried just about every method possible to not only be a part of the world, but to want to be a part of it.

In Bamford’s “trademark blend of disarming intimacy and dark whimsy” (Publishers Weekly), Sure, I’ll Join Your Cultbrings us on a quest to participate in something. With sincerity and transparency, she recounts every anonymous fellowship she has joined (including but not limited to: Debtors Anonymous, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, and Overeaters Anonymous), every hypomanic episode (from worrying about selling out under capitalism to enforcing union rules on her Netflix TV show set to protect her health), and every easy 1-to-3-step recipe for fudge in between.

Packed with “Bamford’s brilliance, relentless humor, and insatiable instinct for survival (Library Journal), this memoir explores what it means to keep going, and to be a member of society (or any group she’s invited to) despite not being very good at it. In turn, she hopes to transform isolating experiences into comedy that will make you feel less alone (without turning into a cult following).

Critic reviews

"Stand-up comic Maria Bamford shows her sense of timing, audience, and humor as she narrates her memoir. Upbeat and whimsical, she begins by defining sounds that signal what’s coming: Brakes squealing, for example, heralds “creepy stuff.” She also warns listeners that her memoir will not follow a linear structure. Indeed, while pondering bouts of mental illness and her need to belong, Bamford continually takes detours that are filled with irreverent, laugh-worthy details; salty language; and tongue-in-cheek observations. All are delivered at breakneck speed as she discusses topics that range from self-help programs to Suzuki violin training. While sometimes distracting, the brisk nonstop humor buoys Bamford’s moments of candor in stories about her mother’s evangelical leanings and death. Bamford’s portraits of others are seamlessly integrated, and her witty transitions work well."

Maria is my copilot

From the only comedian who could keep me free of intrusive thoughts for a full set, comes a handy bedside companion to my otherwise difficult (if not externally dramatic) life. Hearing her read her book is endlessly delightful and soon I will have a printed version to cling to during the rough seas that accompany any relationship (that I am in). Thank you again Maria, for teaching me that I am not alone and there is room for me in the world.

Moving, hilarious, extremely worth your time

So glad to have had the audio experience of this book! I’ve loved Maria’s comedy and wisdom for 20 years, and I’m a huge fan of Lady Dynamite, so no surprise that I really enjoyed this as well. It’s a generous, candid, bonkers exploration of the things that shape us: family, creative purpose, love, work, health, and humor (other stuff too, but this text box is getting full). Familiarity with her previous work isn’t required— I wish I’d had this book when I was starting to understand the role of mental health in art.

A big fan!

I love the sound of Maria's "voices"! (That's all I really wanted to say, but there is a 15 word minimum.)

An absolute pleasure

Maria Bamford is generous, raw, and hilarious. I appreciate her honesty and I can’t recommend another memoir higher than this. This was absolutely fantastic. I cried and laughed and listened to pets of it several times.

Not Dead?! Well Done!!

How could anyone possibly get a memoir of Maria's without wanting to hear her read it?