Member Reviews
Very quick and funny read. Highly recommend.
I know Kyle from his TikTok’s and while this is very similar to those, I still think this is worth reading (or listening to in my instance).
I have to preface this by saying I've been watching Kyle and his ways to piss off men on TikTok for years, so I'm already a fan. I've also had multiple people tell me they heard of this book and it reminded them of me without even knowing I'm a fan of his, so there's that.
I saw the audio on NetGalley and have never clicked on something faster in my life. I listened from beginning to end in one sitting and laughed the <i>entire</i> time. I think hearing it in his voice is half of what makes it so funny, so I do highly recommend the audio version. That being said, I am going to buy an actual copy for my own reference.
100/10, I will continue to use this advice in my every day life.
Hilarious! Love these ideas to shatter the fragile male ego. Told so many to my husband who plans on using a few at work this week 😂 such a funny read.
Short and funny comebacks for sexists that you may encounter online or in-person. It's nice to know that women and other marginalized groups have an ally in someone like Kyle Prue. It gives me the hope that is so often absent these days.
My one grippe is that many of these comebacks would leave the woman (or other) saying them looking stupid, and if you're dealing with misogynists, so I fear that this will only serve to reinforce sexist stereotypes already held by these people. Confirmation bias, rather than putting them in their place.
Kyle Prue is as hilarious in his audiobook as he is on TikTok. I highly recommend the audiobook, as Prue is a great narrator, but I am sure it would also be a great physical read. This book, filled with over 100 witty phrases designed to challenge toxic masculinity, would also make a fantastic gift. It’s a fun coffee table addition that promises to spark conversation.
I probably wouldn't have finished this one if I was reading a paper copy, but as an audiobook it was ok. I chuckled a bit throughout it, but there was also a feeling of "mansplanning" as I listened, like why was this even written? Women know how to piss of men without being told how to by a man... I went into it with no prior knowledge of the author's work. Not my kind of comedy.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBMedia for the audiobook for review.
Kyle Prue took his long-running TikTok bit and has turned it into a definitive guide for ruining the ego of any man you know. Hilariously funny, this book will have you laughing out loud while he reads his most devastating question-statements. 10/10 for creativity.
Going into How to Piss Off Men, I had never heard of Kyle Prue before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. It turned out to be a quick listen, and while it had its funny moments, it didn’t entirely hit the mark for me.
Prue’s humour is sharp and direct, which works well in some parts, but I found myself wanting a bit more depth in others. The anecdotes and observations were entertaining enough, but there were times when the humour felt like it was skating on the surface, not really digging into the topics in a meaningful way (which I can't fault him for as I doubt it was meant to be that serious).
That said, I really enjoyed the part at the end where Kyle and his mom did a sort of Q&A session and offered advice. It felt more personal and engaging, and I could easily see myself tuning into an entire podcast of them just doing that. Their dynamic was natural, and their insights were some of the most memorable parts of the book for me.
Overall, How to Piss Off Men would make a great coffee table book if you’re looking for a fun conversation starter or just want to make your friends and family laugh. It’s a light and breezy listen, but the strongest moments come when humour and heart combine. I'd definitely be willing to listen to more of Kyle and his mom just chatting and giving advice!
Rating: 3.5 🌟
How to Piss Off Men by Kyle Prue is a lighthearted, humor-driven examination of gender dynamics and social norms, specifically focused on the frustrations of men. The book uses wit and sarcasm to discuss various topics, including relationships, the patriarchy, and modern masculinity. Prue tackles these themes in a way that is accessible and relatable, particularly for a millennial audience.
For me, the best part of the book was when Prue discussed the patriarchy with his mom. This conversation provided a thoughtful exploration of how men, especially cisgender white men, feel entitled to act in certain ways toward women. It created a space for a deeper discussion on the gender imbalance and how these dynamics have been perpetuated across generations.
Kyle Prue’s narration adds an extra layer of humor, especially when he relates his personal experiences to the larger rhetoric. His delivery makes the anecdotes more engaging, and the sarcasm feels genuine. However, while I applaud the sentiment and content, I feel this book would have been better served as a podcast or delivered through a different medium. The conversational tone and style seem more fitting for an ongoing discussion format rather than a book.
Overall, How to Piss Off Men is funny, but not over the top, and is best appreciated by a millennial audience. While the humor and subject matter are enjoyable, the format doesn’t quite feel like the perfect fit for what Prue is trying to accomplish.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kyle Prue, and RB Media for the opportunity to listen and review How to Piss off Men.
This was just a delightful experience from start to finish - I have long enjoyed Kyle Prue's series, Things You Can Say to Piss Off Men, and having a handbook at the ready will most certainly be useful in my daily life. In addition to the 109 things you can say, Kyle also goes into what masculinity means for men and why anger is an emotion that should be explored rather than just sitting in it. I listened to this as an audiobook, that Kyle narrates with his trademark deadpan inflections, and highly recommend the medium. It was made even better by the bonus chapter of Kyle and his mom discussing the book at large and offering advice to folks who had written in. I truly hope there's a spin off podcast or maybe a few TikToks coming our way as they make a fun duo.
Thanks so much to Recorded Books Media and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
I’d never heard of Kyle Prue before, so I had no idea what to expect before reading this. I’ll admit, I was sceptical of this book. My initial thoughts were:
1. “Will it be ironic because he’s mansplaining the topic to me?”
2. “Will this even make me laugh/smile/chuckle?”
3. “Will this cisgender white man succeed in helping equip others to clap back at toxic masculinity?”
4. “Will he misguidedly or accidentally offend perfectly nice, lovely men/women/non-binary folk/LGBTQIA+ peeps?”
5.“Why can’t I just take this as sheer entertainment value instead of overanalysing every single freaking thing?”
A lot of questions. Yes.
Answers, (in my humble opinion):
1. This didn’t seem mansplainy/condescending and it was often self-aware and self-deprecating, drawing on his own personal experiences.
2. Some stuff did make me smile/chuckle.
3. Yes, possibly, there seems to be anecdotal evidence.
4. While I can’t speak for everyone, as a cis woman, I wasn’t offended. However, it could trigger men who are upholders of a particular version of masculinity that is unhealthy and perpetuates sexist and homophobic beliefs and patriarchal behaviours.
5. Dunno, oops, I'm fun at parties, I swear.
Look, the wisecracks aren’t revolutionary, but some of them entertained me, not all of them. Yet I appreciate where Kyle’s heart is at. He writes, “Did I write this book so that women could learn to bully men? No. Did I write this book because I hate men? No… I wrote this book because I think it’s time to… let our anger inform us of our hurt and finally heal from it.” So I guess, if you feel triggered by this book's contents, maybe it's time for a bit of introspection and self-reflection. 🤔
Favourite/most practical phrase? “I’ll just google it” - good to use if someone is intent on mansplaining to you (I've had this done to me throughout my whole career). If you're wondering if you're guilty of this, here is a handy flow chart.
Notes:
• I read this on Kindle, but it would probs be better as a print book on your coffee table to display amongst friends, family, and perhaps even relatives if you’re feeling bold.
• Humour and art are super subjective, so YMMV on what you find amusing/useful/offensive.
I was going to not rate this for that reason, but I decided that all things considered above, 3.5, rounded up to a generous 4 stars might suffice. Also because I just watched the author’s Planet of the Apes audition tape, which was more entertaining.
My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
This is a quick, easy, and fairly funny read overall. The "funniness" factor is probably more subjective, so that's something to consider individually before diving in, but I had fun with it.
A couple parts definitely made me chuckle, and I don’t think there’s anything too controversial that would get anyone riled up if you’re worried about that. Kyle sprinkles in a few anecdotes from his own life, which add some insight into who he is and why he wrote the book. I do wish there had been more of that throughout to create a better balance and add more depth. His perspective was a nice touch when included, and it would have been great to see more of it.
Overall, it’s a fun little book, and the audio version includes a nice Q&A at the end, which I enjoyed as some bonus content.
I'll be honest, I requested this thinking it would be something very different than what it in reality is -- so that's on me. I definitely feel this is better off as a coffee table book, however, I do appreciate the effort that went into the audiobook. It was entertaining narration, however the content wasn't for me. I do appreciate the way it examines how the patriarchy harms men as well as women, and the way it does so using humor!
Okay this is essentially a collection of cutting insults that are strategically designed to make a man question himself. And it's hilarious.
However at it's core it's a call to men to examine why these insults hurt and encouragement to heal, grow, and do better.
For me, a woman, I had a great time reading this one.
Refreshingly hilarious. Narration was perfect and made the content 100000x funnier. This is perfect for a quick read/audiobook. Despite the title it is pretty light hearted but does bring into focus the patriarchy and sensitive male ego. Go in with an open mind and you might get out some laughs and knowledge.
I loved everything about this little book. I loved the narration from Kyle. The audio book was fun but I think a physical copy is what you need to keep with you at all times!
Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook ARC.
I do love an audiobook when its narrated by the actual author.
This was a hilarious but powerful read. My favourite quote from this book was a very powerful message:
'The Patriarchy puts women in a box. And it puts men in their own box, on top of that one. On some level, men think that qualifies as a win. But at the end of the day – everyone is still trapped in a box'
I will be purchasing a paper book to proudly show off in my home.
As soon as I saw this one on Netgalley I knew I needed to read it. Thankfully the publisher came through quickly and I listened to it immediately. What can I say? A banger. Really funny and I'm already considering gifting this to people at Christmas.
Of course some parts were funnier than others, but overall it was very enjoyable. Although I have to agree that a few bits were very American and thus not immediately made sense to me as a non-American, however this was few and far between (interested in seeing how they will adapt these in the translated versions!).
Overall I definitely enjoyed it!
Hilarious! If you enjoy his TikTok, you’ll love this audiobook even more!
Thank you RBmedia for granting me an ALC!
Overall a fun book, very quick read/listen. I enjoyed it, but wish it had been longer/there was more to it. I’ve seen his videos in the past and found them funny. This sort of pulled those all together with some additional observations and reflections. Thanks for NetGalley for the audiobook- I especially enjoyed the author reading it and loved the bonus interview/convo with his mother at the end which helps readers dive a little deeper and get to know more about who Kyle is and what was some of the motivation behind his videos/this book. Worth a listen if you’re a fan of dry humor and want a good laugh.