Joyful Recollections of Trauma

By: Paul Scheer

Narrated by: Paul Scheer

Length: 6 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

From award-winning actor and comedian Paul Scheer, a candid and hilarious memoir-in-essays on coming to terms with childhood trauma and finding the joy in embracing your authentic self, featuring content exclusive to the audio edition, including excerpts from live shows and audio clips from home movies.

Paul Scheer has entertained countless fans and podcast listeners with stories about the odd, wild, and absurd details of his life. Yet these tales have pointed to deeper, more difficult truths that the actor and comedian has kept to himself. Now, he is finally ready to share those truths for the first time—but, of course, with a healthy dose of humor.

Blending the confident, affable voice that has won him a dedicated following with a refreshing level of candor, Joyful Recollections of Trauma chronicles Paul’s often shocking, admittedly tumultuous childhood and how the experiences of his youth have reverberated throughout his life. In his comedy, Paul has always been unafraid to “go there,” to play naïve, cringeworthy characters, imbuing them with disarming charm and humanity. That daring openness is on display in this memoir, but in true Paul fashion, it is also surprising, eye-opening, and side-splitting.

In this madcap journey through the inner working of his mind and creative process, Paul Scheer demonstrates once again that the truth is often stranger—and funnier—than fiction. Joyful Recollections of Trauma offers a unique perspective on universal themes: growing up, working through a challenging childhood, staying true to yourself, and finding success, fulfillment, and happiness in often strange and difficult circumstances. Throughout, Paul shares both the hard-fought lessons and the laughter that can be found in the darkest parts of life, and reminds us that what matters is not what you’ve been through but who you are becoming. If you loved recent memoirs by Molly Shannon, Maria Bamford, RuPaul, and Jennette McCurdy—or any book that moves you to both laughter and tears—Joyful Recollections of Trauma is the perfect listen for you.

©2024 Paul Scheer (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

Worth it!

If you love How Did This Get Made? then this is an absolute must read.

Five Stars

This book made me laugh and cry. It brought up some buried emotions from my childhood and made me reflect on the partner I am today. I have always loved watching and listening to Paul so I was so happy he recorded his own audiobook.

Get the book and enjoy

Paul is a wonderful story teller, I've been a fan of the Podcast years and his character on The League is hilarious. His book isn't all comedy and laughs, obviously based on the title itself, Paul has some rough times, and quite frankly, a bit heartbreaking as a child but built him into who he is now. Well done, Paul, FIVE STARS!

A joyful journey

I've been a huge HDTGM fan for a long time, so when I heard this book was coming out, I knew I needed to get it.
Paul Sheer is so honest and vulnerable, while still creating so many laugh out loud moments. I absolutely loved hearing more about his and June's partnership as well.
inserting clips from the podcast was also a fun surprise.

Such an amazing book!!

I had high hopes for this book, I adore Paul and have listened to his podcast, How Did This Get Made, since it began. This book was so much deeper than I expected, it wasn’t just comedy - it was an insight into his soul. I love his love for June, his kids, his family - it shines in this book.

How did Paul get made?

I spend a couple hours a week listening to Paul Scheer on different podcasts and devoured this audiobook. I had a hunch his childhood was hard, but wasn't prepared for him to share the whole picture. there were chapters that made me weep and others that made me laugh out loud. the audiobook includes interstitials from podcast live shows where some childhood stories were revealed for the first time. this is a funny and harrowing book about the nicest guy in comedy.

Funny and Sad

If you are a fan of his work, this is a great read. Lots of good insight and I think a lot of Xennials will appreciate a story of growing up right before the internet was a thing.

Vulnerable and funny

I loved this book and Scheer’s narration. The story goes to some dark places, but also delightful places. I love what a cheerleader he is for the people in his life. What I love most is what a big hearted person he has become because of the work he’s put in after his chaotic and violent childhood.

Absolutely accurate title

I have never laughed so hard or consistently through such a tale of traumatic events. I appreciate that Scheer has found a way to treat himself so tenderly and grow into a strong-willed and successful adult (and family-man), given the poor examples of parenting and frequent shortcomings in the adults in society who one would normally expect to look after a kid.

This audiobook has a lot of bonus content not in the book, which itself is a generous tale. This whole experience is above and beyond what I expected.

That this was a real life story about the adversity a person faces in life, rather than a safe sugar coated celebrity autobio.

Not what I expected, but pleasantly surprised. Engaging story about dealing with a difficult uncontrollable life situation and coming out okay on the other side of it, with some classic Scheer humor sprinkled in.