A bit uneven. The Philomena Cunk character shines brightest in conversation, so in book (or audiobook) form it can get a bit one-note. Not to say there aren't funny moments because there certainly are! But it feels almost exhausting. Best taken a little at a time.

Translating this to an audiobook must have been difficult and I think it was well done, but I get the sense there are still some jokes that play better in text.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Audio ARC.

I was a little bit let down by this one unfortunately. While I feel super lucky to have gotten an early audiobook and I loved hearing Philomena's voice, I don't think audiobook was an effective way of enjoying this. The encyclopedia-entry style of this story made it a little jarring to hearing back to back to back read out loud. I will be interested in picking up a physical copy, as I'm sure it's artfully laid out and presented in a way that perhaps makes for a more enjoyable experience.

I saw Cunk on earth on Netflix and was immediately hooked on the mocomentary. I saw everything on streaming including YouTube. When I saw NetGallery had an audiobook, I knew I HAD to hear it.
The audiobook is quality not only in the sound but with narration, and humor. Diane Morgan delivers an excellence performance!
The narration starts off with the forward(which normally I tend to skip) by a prof. His forward was GOLD, I laughed so hard! Short and direct! I rewound it 3x to listen to it.
In this audiobook you’ll receive chock full of information from garden of Eden, Van Gough’s paintings and the lack of talent in his hands, Australia, to the planet Uranus (And the need to change the name).
This is a perfect audiobook should you need a something light, a good belly laugh out loud and loads of fun.
I enjoyed this audiobook. Thank you NetGallery.

Many sincere thanks to NetGalley, Hachette Audio, and Grand Central Publishing for an ARC of this audio book in exchange for an honest review. This book is an irreverently funny “encyclopedia” by Philomena Cunk. Or, as she describes it, “A helpful guide to the universe, but written by someone you trust.” This book is a natural extension of Diane Morgan’s comedy, so if you’re a fan of the clips you’ve seen on TikTok you should definitely give this a read. As usual, nothing is off limits. So, if you’re particularly sensitive about religion, politics, or the shape of the earth, you’d better steer clear. For me, the humor was on point. American audiences should be prepared for the characteristic dry, British wit, and several jokes that will go over your head. Fear not, there are boat loads of jokes for everyone. As I’ve come to expect from Philomena, I appreciated the insights into controversial topics. For example, on climate change she offers, “Not everyone thinks climate change is real. This hot topic has split the science community right down the middle 90/10.” She shared timely information on plagues, “Statistically, the only way to protect your partner from the Black Death was to die yourself.” And very technical information in the field of astrophysics, “Scientists know black holes are there because when they ask for money to study them nobody tells them to fu*k off.”

In terms of criticisms, some of the content was a repetition of previous material. Fortunately, it wasn’t excessive or problematic, just something I noticed. I did notice a glaring missed opportunity in the discussion of DNA. I kept waiting for a shout out to Rosalind Franklin, but alas this encyclopedia was equally as incomplete as every other by crediting Watson and Crick. (What the heck, Cunk?!)

In terms of audio adaptation, Morgan as Cunk is a spectacular narrator. I’m confident the audio experience surpassed a print-only reading of the book. The production quality is fantastic and exactly what I would hope/expect. No qualms or complaints.

Overall, stellar! I really enjoyed this and highly recommend it!

Finally, I’ll leave you with an excerpt from my favorite entry: END OF THE WORLD, THE. “Predicting the end of the world is tricky and you’re best leaving it to the experts. Probably the biggest experts are the Jehovah’s Witnesses who’ve predicted the end of the world in 1914, 1915, 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941, 1975, 1994, and 1997. So they’re getting really good at it.”

Anyone interested in this book should without doubt get the audio version. It's really performance art more than a book, and nowhere is that more evident than in listening to "Philomena Cunk's" voice acting. The persona is hilarious. This is also a book that is best taken in small doses, as sustaining the humorous tone over the course of several hours does start to wear a bit thin. It's not a book for the easily offended (or even the moderately offended), as there is off-color humor and profanity. It occasionally crossed a few lines for me. But the overall concept and delivery is brilliant satire.

This is super funny and clever. It’s less of a narrative and more of a series of random thoughts and jokes which is entertaining to listen to. It is perfect in audio format. I wondered if I would have liked it as much if I’d read the paper version. The author is so funny and has great timing for the audiobook.

I listened to the audiobook for this and I loved it! I love the Philomena Cunk persona and find her just hilarious. This was a essay type book, each section had a small little joke snippet, kind of like attending a comedy show!

I am a huge fan of the Philomena Cunk series on Netflix, and this just lets me have even more of Cunk's amazing sarcasm and wit. I adored every second of it and was laughing hysterically throughout. I highly recommend this audiobook. I think its one of the best, most enjoyable ones I've listened to!

i was really excited to read this after having binged cunk on earth and not getting enough of philomena - and this definitely lived up to expectations. a very quirky and funny book full of personality. would definitely recommend listening to the audiobook for an extra dose of philomena! i was really excited to read this after having binged cunk on earth and not getting enough of philomena - and this definitely lived up to expectations. a very quirky and funny book full of personality. would definitely recommend listening to the audiobook for an extra dose of philomena!

I absolutely loved comedian's Diane Morgan's Philomena Cunk on Netflix and knew I had to have this audiobook. It did not let me down, it had me laughing and just smiling throughout the whole story. I needed this and if you are feeling down or have SAD this fall/winter season grab this audiobook and be ready for your day to turn around.

This book doesn't make any sense, but man, I love Philomena Cunk! I would listen to her read me anything, all day long

Having Diane Morgan narrate was an excellent choice, but otherwise, I don't think this translated well to audio. The content is dense with dry humor, which gets tiring after a time. I could only listen to a few entries before turning it off again.

has come to my attention that this book is a few years old, which checks out (lots of trump references) and i wonder what a post boris, post brexit, post queen death version would look like. funny as always though.

An excellent audiobook narrated by Philomena herself which made the whole book even more enjoyable with her often deadpan voice and quirky characteristics
Lots of laugh out loud chuckles throughout this book as I listened to Philomena's take on all things history and the modern world as she ponders some of life's big questions and some lesser asked ones perhaps only a select few would wonder about.
An extremely lighthearted comical read and probably one of the most informative encyclopedias you will ever read!

I love Philomena Cunk on the tv programmes and her narrating the audio book added a great comic element to it. Fantastic listen with some laugh out loud descritions. Thoroughly enjoyed the listen. Thank you for giving me access to a preview copy.

This audiobook is amazingly hilarious. I don't think I have ever had to stop listening to an audiobook so many times to savour the joke. It is not just the writing which makes you laugh, it's the Philomena Cunk herself which makes it so special and enjoyable.

When I came across this audiobook on Netgalley and requested it, I had literally kept my fingers crossed. You get the gist as to how much I have enjoyed Cunk show which is available on Netflix.

She is phenomenal.

Thank you very much Netgalley and Hachette audio for this amazing piece of art.

Hilarious. I laughed so hard at some parts. Please keep making comedy. It's a fast paced parody of nonfiction in which accurate facts or some are but are mixed in with complete
randomness, so nothing of importance is actually included. I've seen a few of her things on social media, but I would seriously watch her show.

Thank you to Netgalley for this free copy for honest review.

Philomena Cunk delivers! Her narration was equally as funny as her jokes! Cunk on Ever Is Brilliantly written

funny informative fast-paced
5.0

Narrator
Look, this book had me laughing within the first 10 minutes. Philomena Cunk just has that in her to make everything sound so serious yet at the same time so comical. I don't think the audiobook what have been the same if a different person narrated it.

The book it self
The book goes in alphabetical order. covering literally everything. From what Archaeology means, what is a book? That a Duck is a fish, that broke me. What tigers are? What philosophers was and that only bearded men tell the truth.

Cunk on everything places a comical spin on things that one would have never thought of phrasing that certain way.

If you love Cunk of Earth and Cunk on Brittain then I recommend this book for you. Or even if you just want a good laugh. But more specifically the audiobook. It is worth it.

Just what readers expect (and deserve) from Philomena Cunk. This book is fun and playful with occasional stabs of heart-searing truth. Just like the best comedy.