One of the greatest minds of our generation.

Fans of Cunk on Earth will love this, especially the audiobook version narrated by the iconic Philomena Cunk herself. I had many laugh-out-loud moments while listening to her theories and anecdotes.

However, it got a bit long-winded after a while as the entire book is written as an encyclopedia. Nevertheless, it was fun to have it on in the background, even if I ended up paying less attention towards the end.

This was probably the best audiobook I have, and will ever, listen to. With humor and amazing joke delivery that had me laughing out loud (in public-- mortifying!), this audiobook was one of my most enjoyable listens of the year. Thank you so much to Hachette Audio, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for this audiobook!

Much like everything that Diane Morgan does, this book was funny and thoroughly enjoyable.

I think a lot was added by Diane’s narration, however, due to the structure of the book itself, some additional pauses could have been added to make it clear when one entry ends and the next begins

I recently watched and loved Cunk on Earth on Netflix so, when I saw this book existed, I knew I had to get it. It really must be listened to as an audiobook (I assume it’s coming out in print as well) because Philomena’s delivery is essential to her jokes.

This “encyclopedia” goes alphabetically through a myriad of things throughout history, science, and pop culture, all explained hilariously and nonsensically through the eyes of Cunk. While she mostly appears to be a bit of a knucklehead, she occasionally says some accidentally insightful things, and that’s when she’s at her funniest.

A short example: “High-rise buildings were controversial at first until it was decided that they were a good way to pile poor people in the sky, out of the way.”

I wouldn’t sit down and listen to this as your sole activity, as it’s not really a story, so much as a fun background amusement. I listened to it while doing my office job, and I had to hold it in many giggles along the way.

If you’re a fan of Philomena Cunk already, you’ll love this! If you’re not, maybe watch Cunk on Earth first and see if it’s your kind of humor. If it is, this is for you too.

No one does satire quite like the British. The amazing thing about Cunk on Everything: The Encyclopedia Philomena is that it's not wrong as much as you would expect it to be. Most of my laughter throughout the book was of the "I never thought of it that way before" kind. I read enough British lit that I didn't have to look up too many cultural references. I was unfamiliar with the character of Philomena Cunk prior to reading Cunk on Everything: The Encyclopedia Philomena, but I'm now quite intrigued. I imagine that most readers will be at least vaguely familiar with the character prior to reading. I expect them to be very happy with the end result. For someone completely uninitiated, I think they could get up to speed quickly. Speaking of quickly, I felt like the book was a short, easy read. So, if you do decide to have a go at it, at least you won't lose much time.

My favorite entry was the Baywatch Tapestry. I played it for my husband.

I would like to thank Hachette Audio/Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to experience this NetGalley audiobook.

This is SO funny and entertaining. It feels more like a podcast than an audiobook. Diane Morgan is hilarious and her mock-serious delivery is perfect. I highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in humor, history, art, academia, etc.

I really enjoyed Philomena Cunk's Netflix show and I was excited when I saw this book available for review! I listened to the audiobook and I loved it. I think part of her delivery and the way she says things is part of what makes her so funny, so the audiobook narrated by the author was just perfect. I was laughing out loud! This would make a fun gift or coffee table book, and I will definitely be telling my friends about it and recommending her Netflix show as well. I received a free copy of this audiobook from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

i loved the concept of this book so much, but was too confusing for me in audiobook format. i will be purchasing this book in the physical bc i love her & thought it was funny, just hard to follow along

i absolutely love the Cunk character and this book is hilarious. It's basically Philomena talking about everything from game of thrones to Brexit. i laughed out loud a few times.

I needed a palate cleanser after all of my Spooky Season reading, and what better book to cleanse my palate than an encyclopedia, written by none other than THE greatest thinker of our times: Philomena Cunk.

Like most Americans, I was introduced to Philomena Cunk (played by Diane Morgan) through Instagram reels of her appearances on a BBC show. When Netflix released the mockumentary Cunk on Earth earlier this year, I became a full-on Cunkaholic. Cunk on Everything: The Encyclopedia Philomena is Cunk's take on all kinds of topics, expounded upon with her trademark deadpan delivery. I paired my reading with the audiobook read by Cunk herself, and while I did find myself reading the text in her voice, I much preferred hearing her voice read it to me. She's just so funny and her comedic timing is perfect.

Nearly every entry had me chuckling or rolling my eyes or full-on snorting with laughter, but the one thing I missed was Cunk's interaction with real experts. One of the funniest things about her bit is when she asks ridiculous questions of real academics; seeing them try to figure out what's happening and whether she's serious is just fantastic. Several of the entries in the book do end with Cunk asking some ridiculous unanswered questions, but I missed that interactive aspect that makes the show such a gem. This is also very British, obviously, so a few of the names and references went over my head.

If you aren't familiar with Philomena Cunk and you find any of the following quotes funny, you may want to give both the show and this book a chance!

Cunk on the phone book: "You could look up your friends in it or, even better, you could look up yourself, and find out where you lived."

Cunk on Jesus: "After Jesus was killed by the Romans, he [SPOILERS] came back from the dead, like Freddy Kreuger. But instead of cutting everybody up with scissors fingers, he flew up into the sky, where he lives to this day, with his dad. It's unusual for a father to get custody, but that's God for you."

Cunk on medicine: "The word 'medicine' comes from the Latin word 'medicina,' which means 'medicine A,' or 'first medicine.'"

Cunk on Vikings: "They were basically a load of Hagrids on a stag weekend."

Cunk on Wars of the Roses, The: "Firstly, it was the basis for Games of Throne, except that the man who wrote that, Sir George RRRRRR Martin, changed the names so he wouldn't get sued, and made it more realistic by filling it with dragons and dwarves and loads of t*ts."

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Audio, and NetGalley for the complimentary reading opportunity.

Hilarious.
I fancied reading the book but when I saw that it was available as an audiobook - I knew that I'd love it. I wasn't wrong.

I don't know how well this (book or audio) will transfer for those that don't understand the British sense of humour but give it a go.

Stop what you are doing and read this it's hilarious and perfect. I literally laughed the whole time . Perfection

What a hilarious book! If you enjoyed the TV show, this is a must read! Get ready to laugh a lot. Also, reading it via audiobook is *essential* to experiencing it the way it was meant to be read. The delivery of the lines is half the humor. If you don’t like audiobooks, I recommend at least watching part of the TV show before reading so you can read it in the ‘proper voice’.

This is the type of book that is best enjoyed if you listen to a little bit every day. Almost like a comedic devotional. Definitely worth a read/listen for comedy lovers.

This audiobook was everything that I hoped it would be! Hilarious one-liners from start to finish, all delivered with classic Philomena sincerity and punch. While I enjoyed the audiobook I almost think this would be best as a coffee table book that can be perused regularly.

Interviewer and commentator on current affairs, Philomena Cunk presents her lack of expertise with the ambitious goal of writing the one and only book everyone needs. It pairs well with crisps.

Cunk On Everything: The Encyclopedia Philomena presents Cunk’s understanding of ideas, people and places, moving alphabetically from A to Zed. As the New York Times has noted * Cunk is “is confident, impertinent and almost always wrong.”

And in this dry ineptitude is found a great deal of humor. Did you know that Hitler was from Australia? Or the entry about ‘Trump’ just suggests listening again to the section on ‘Lies?” Or perhaps that humans have a full eight senses?

There are a lot of laughs, and much like the show a great a deal of quotable bits to share with others. Here, as an audiobook, the listening is immersive as it is read by Cunk and includes her frequent mention of her writing this via her phone.

This book will leave you amused, and perhaps a little hungry for a fresh pack of crisps. Recommended for anyone looking for something short, light and satiric.

* Desiree Ibekwe. ”Philomena Cunk Is Weird Enough to Take on the World.” New York Times, 2 February 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/02/arts/television/cunk-on-earth.html

Philomena Cunk on video is absolutely hilarious and in book/audio form she is just as funny. This audiobook had me chuckling from page one. Definitely think audio form is probably better than physical/ebook only because Cunk delivers her lines super well.

My only issue with the book is since it’s a cluster of random topics it tends to be too much so I listened to it in parts. It’s for sure a book that would be better reading in parts versus binging in one day.

I love Philomena Cunk and this was a funny and delightful book. I highly recommend the audiobook!

Hilarious encyclopedic look at the wonders of our world told as only Philomena Cunk can. Don’t expect to get accurate information but do expect to laugh as Cunk highlights the absurdity of the modern world. Entertaining and light, perfectly narrated by Cunk herself you’ll get the full experience in audio which is recommended.

I absolutely loved this. I listened to the audiobook thanks to NetGalley and I laughed out loud so many times, even though I have also watched the show. I plan to read the print book next.
Not every joke works, but I enjoy the sarcastic and insightful humor so much. I hope we get a lot more of Cunk, because there are a lot more things in the world I'd love to hear her opinions about.

There are a couple of things you should probably know about this book; first is hopefully you already know (and maybe love) Philomena Cunk. If you don't, you can go in cold but you'll enjoy this more if you've watched the show. Second, there are a few "must listen" instead of the physical book - 'Born a Crime', 'Greenlights', 'Daisy Jones and the Six' are a few. This is another one of those; it just won't come across the same way if you're not hearing Philomena Cunk be Philomena Cunk. This is a fun and easy listen.

I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK. Philomena Cunk is my guru, my heroine, and one of the funniest women around.