‘The funniest book was Anthony McGowan’s The Art of Failing, which alternates self-mocking slapstick with flashes of weirdness reminiscent of Gogol.’

– Observer, Books of the Year

‘He fails spectacularly successfully it has to be said. If cringeworthy embarrassment were a superpower, Anthony would be an Avenger. It is Pepys’ diary if Pepys were a middle-aged, 21st-century Smiths fan with athlete’s foot. You’ll laugh and feel mild pity.’

– Matt Haig

‘Perfect to dip into for entertainingly bite-sized anecdotes.’

– Observer

’There is no sharper, funnier, cleverer writer in Britain today than Anthony McGowan.’

– Robert Twigger, author of Micromastery

'A book that will ultimately make you smile, and re-read'.

– BookBag

‘Humorously chronicles the quotidian frustrations, discomforts, and outright failures…faced over the course of one year… McGowan always brings a quirky and refreshing perspective… Entertaining.’

– Kirkus

‘A children’s book writer and school lecturer who swears like a sailor and adds smut wherever possible. McGowan’s as close to a Python character as one could reasonably fear. There’s no stereotyping Anthony McGowan.’

– San Francisco Review of Books

‘Consistently amusing, charming, and occasionally rather touching.’

– Big Issue