One of the most perplexing aspects of this book is how little is aimed at women in particular, despite its How To Do Female manifesto. The common-sense advice offered on subjects such as coping with bullies, surviving dysfunctional families and not falling in love is relevant to all members of the species although it is hard to envision many men choosing to read it in light of its positioning. a b c d e f g Godfrey, Alex (24 March 2017). "How 'Trainspotting' Made Underworld's "Born Slippy" One of the 90s' Most Iconic Songs". Vice . Retrieved 15 August 2020.

Now she's considerably further along life's inevitable journey and, in this memoir, she reveals a side of herself that we don’t normally hear - the things she wishes she'd known and the things she hopes for the future. As you’d expect, she pulls no punches. Once upon a (very, very) long time ago Jo Brand was what you might describe as "a nice little girl". Of course, that was before the values of cynicism, misogyny and the societal expectation that Jo would be thin, feminine and demure sent her off down Arsey Avenue. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol.13, no.29. 20 July 1996. p.13 . Retrieved 25 January 2020. Once upon a (very very) long time ago Jo Brand was what you might describe as ‘a nice little girl’. Of course, that was before the values of cynicism, misogyny and the societal expectation that Jo would be thin, feminine and demure sent her off down Arsey Avenue. Born Slippy .NUXX 2003" is a version of "Born Slippy .NUXX" re-released by Underworld to promote the album 1992–2002, originally released in 2003. New remixes were commissioned for this release, along with a new video, compiled by Danny Boyle of clips from his film Trainspotting. This release reached No. 1 on the UK Dance Singles Chart during the first week of November 2003.Once upon a (very very) long time ago Jo Brand was what you might describe as 'a nice little girl'. Of course, that was before the values of cynicism, misogyny and the societal expectation that Jo would be thin, feminine and demure sent her off down Arsey Avenue. Listinn Topp 40 (20.7. – 26.7. '96)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 20 July 1996. p.42 . Retrieved 2 October 2019. British single certifications – Underworld – Born Slippy". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 7 January 2022.

Music & Media 1996 in Review – Year End Sales Charts" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol.13, no.51/52. 21 December 1996. p.12 . Retrieved 4 February 2020.

Marketplace

Brand’s adult perspectives do seem dominated by a legacy of negative experiences, mostly around the nexus of issues around women’s bodies, beauty, and weight. Her professional success has enabled her to salvage some positives from it all, and that’s really at the core of the best of what this book has to offer. Born Lippy events also often feature poetry slams, a friendly yet competitive space for new poets to test material and develop performance skills. “By combining these elements, we aim to expand access to artists from interconnected disciplines, creating a one-stop shop for ‘all things wordy’. We provide a platform for new and established artists from across the UK to explore place, identity and hope in a joyful way that connects people.” The tone of the book is friendly, conversational and devoid of combat or judgement. It is impossible not to warm to Brand who is at her best when discussing health, parenting and staying sane. The anecdotes shared from her own life are honest, sometimes funny, often poignant. There is an awkward tension, however, when Brand tries to flit between earnest, heartfelt discussion of important topics such as female genital mutilation and the jokes about toothed vaginas that immediately follow. In an effort to be both sincere and still retain her trademark outrageous humour, the text often falls somewhere between both stools.