Limp, by Simon Eli Vella, was an entertaining description of his struggles to overcome being extremely introverted, a drug abuser, and impotent. His success in overcoming his problems is a powerful story for others suffering from these issues. Despite the serious topics discussed, this book was humorous, insightful, and an entertaining read.

“Limp: A Funny Memoir” is indeed a humorous and entertaining debut by Simon Eli Vella. A zany story complete with one liners, also a steady stream of consciousness that advised him in the voice of Morgan Attenborough, that defined World A and World B. Simon recalled his ordeal with a crippling anxiety disorder that began in boyhood-- he was often afraid of the girls and women who had hoped to get to know him better, and generally avoided others. For relief, he turned to alcohol and party drugs that led to a host of other problems. Simon Eli Vella is from Melbourne, Australia.

Growing up, Simon seemed like a Charlie Brown type. Unlike his brother, that was athletic, academically gifted, and very popular. Simon was just downright awkward; in middle school he reached a level of coolness selling playing cards of nude women to his peers. This ended abruptly after he was caught shoplifting more cards, and teachers warned students to secure their valuables from possible thievery.
As he matured, his idea was to avoid full time gainful employment. Simon attended the University for as long as possible, earning a degree in Marketing. To celebrate, he borrowed money from his parents and stayed in London on a work visa. Later, he took a Greyhound Bus tour of the U.S. that included visiting the neon glitz of the casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. Not all the passengers on the bus were sane or friendly, and Simon discovered he could project an authoritative commanding presence if necessary, giving his self-confidence a much needed boost.

Reluctantly, Simon accepted a combination of assorted jobs; one included being a DJ in a dance club. Dismayed at his inability to date and connect with a beautiful co-worker, Simon sought medical attention for erectile dysfunction. When his doctor advised he would need to maintain a healthier diet and lifestyle free from alcohol and illicit drugs— this went over like a lead balloon! It would take several more years that included a failed relationship, encountering a frantic steroid addicted patron at his gym, trips to the emergency room from drunken accidents, a mentally ill psychotic roommate that refused to move out of his house, and a terribly stressful lawsuit—before Simon reached a new level of maturity. After accepting the fact that his doctor had been right all along, his life opened up to many new possibilities. ~ With thanks to Surfeit Publishing Australia via NetGalley for the DRC for the purpose of review.

I read more than halfway, and had to stop. It was either that or poke my eyeballs with a pencil.

Lol what a great book!! Simon writes about his life in hilarious but warm detail. It seems he holds nothing back. Drug use, jobs when he was a teenager, school, adventures in school, it is all here. mr. Vella has lead a adventurous life and I am glad he decided to share. I highly recommend this book. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book in return for my honest review.

I felt the author was doing a poor job of stand-up comedy rather than writing a funny memoir. After the first chapter I was bored with reading about his sinus issues. I did feel compassion for this nerdy misfit of a boy, and I admired the author's candor. But, after awhile I felt as if I was reading the same self-degradation joke over and over again.

The obstacles and calamities chronicled in this deeply-personal journey to self-awareness sound like they came straight out of a book... And, coincidentally, they DO!... Simon's OWN book!

Limp is Simon's story of triumph trumping tragedy... after tragedy... after tragedy through not quite-so-equal parts of hilarity and humility. Although, some of Simon's "befallments of woe" are more self-imagined than tangible or truly overly-concerning. Simon is raw and honest in his pain, transparent about his former addictions and owns his culpability is his vast array of mistakes.

Simon was never truly a "bad guy" or a delinquent in the conventional sense. He just wanted to fit in, be popular, be liked, be loved just like everyone else. In this memoir, he takes you on a vulnerable and revealing tour of his thoughts, feelings and emotions. The title of this book doesn't refer to Simon in just the obvious way. It initially sort of sums up "early model" Simon, as a whole, with regard to not only a particular bodily function (or lack thereof) but his struggles with self-image, his lack of motivation and his "go with the flow and make no waves" attitude.

Simon 2.0: A clear indication of Simon's personal progress, professional transformation and re-structured mindset is evidenced by the fact that he is now a confident, successful business owner and fulfilled husband and father who takes responsibility for his actions, takes ownership for the "hot mess" that used to be his life and shows that he has grown as a person and learned from his past mistakes . He can now "poke fun" and laugh at himself and, throughout his engaging narrative, unobtrusively encourages and gives permission to the reader to join in his humor-laden self-deprecation.

I can best sum up Limp (and Simon) in five simple words: Funny, Poignant, Endearing, UPlifting... Brilliant!

I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from NetGalley & Surfeit Publishing / Author Buzz in order to read and provide a voluntary and honest review, should I choose to do so.

Australian Simon Eli Vella has ventured far outside the usual comfort zone in his memoir “Limp.” His use of the title word applies to many aspects of his life including his personality, resolve, and sexual ability. He approaches these shortcomings with humor and determination, sharing all the usually veiled failures with his readers.

His life is not one to be envied but he seems to accept the difficulties with a passivity that might be the root of his troubles. As a child he is aware of his oddities including constant illness and a large nose that is constantly on the run. His only claim to being popular with his male classmates, a standing often difficult to obtain, is because he is the purveyor of smut that he has shoplifted. As a young adult he is an alcoholic, a recreational drug addict, chronically unemployed because of his indolence, impotent, and the victim of numerous expensive lawsuits.

From these inauspicious beginnings he evolves into an investment banker at age 42, making good money, with a wife, family, mortgage, and the constant wonder of how it all came about.

It’s an entertaining book with moments of laugh-out-loud humor, stuffed between episodes of immense stupidity and clumsy attempts at having a normal life. I didn’t feel any attempts at generating sympathy by the author. It was a simple explanation of a screwy life that he seems to accept.

This book is HILARIOUS! I wasn’t sure what to expect coming into this, but it definitely paid off! So funny. Highly recommend to anyone who needs to add a good laugh to their day.