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You'll Like It When You Get There

A Life Lived Reluctantly

Rhys James

$55

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English
Wildfire
11 November 2025
A refreshingly honest look at modern life, and how to get out of living it.

Rhys has lived his entire life with a backdrop of dread. As a child, the sentence he feared most was 'come downstairs and say hello.' Aged 5, he feigned injury to avoid dancing at a wedding, and 25 years later, he celebrated when the venue set on fire moments before what would've been the biggest gig of his life.

You'll Like It When You Get There is a guide to life from someone who doesn't want to do anything, and an exploration of why you possibly shouldn't either. Join Rhys as he avoids not just social engagements but big life milestones too, like getting married and having children. A deep dive into regret, humiliation, failure and pretending to be French for personal gain. From the Wild West of early internet chatrooms to the sticky circus of the Kavos strip, from redesigning therapy after completing it in just four sessions, to having a full existential breakdown when a Buddhist monk asks him for 5 stars on TripAdvisor.

If you've ever celebrated plans being cancelled with an Andy Murray fist pump, secretly prayed for another lockdown, attempted to start your own nickname, or tried - in vain - to control the outcome of everything you do, then welcome to the club. We close early, obviously.

You'll Like It When You Get There is at once hilarious, insightful and inspiring - even if what it's inspiring you to do is absolutely nothing. This is the introvert's manifesto, the over-thinker's dossier, the diary of a wimpy kid.

Reviews of Rhys:

""Scintillating stand-up"" Times

""Master of the lightning-paced, gag-dense, precision-delivered"" Guardian

""A superb tour de force of observational comedy, delivered with punchy, rapid-fire certainty"" Chortle
By:  
Imprint:   Wildfire
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 236mm,  Width: 156mm,  Spine: 26mm
Weight:   440g
ISBN:   9781035420414
ISBN 10:   1035420414
Pages:   256
Publication Date:  
Audience:   General/trade ,  ELT Advanced
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Rhys James was born in Swindon, Wiltshire in 1991, before moving to Hertfordshire where he grew up. Aged 9, he played the title character in a local production of Oliver Twist. Since then, he has gone on to perform stand-up comedy around the world, including six solo shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and two international sell-out tours. Rhys has appeared on Live At The Apollo, QI, A League Of Their Own and, most notably, as a regular panellist on BBC Two's Mock the Week. He has created three critically acclaimed shows for BBC Radio 4, including the ARIAS nominated Rhysearch. His U&Dave lecture, 'I Stalk Strangers Online', became a viral hit, and his debut DVD Spilt Milk sold out completely in just 90 minutes. There was one copy.

Reviews for You'll Like It When You Get There: A Life Lived Reluctantly

The millennial David Sedaris. This is the closest I've had to stand-up as a reading experience. * Adam Kay, author of THIS IS GOING TO HURT * Relatable tales of adolescent embarrassment, smart takes on modern life, and all the laughs you'd expect from such a talented comedian. * Stephen Merchant * As witty and clever as Rhys's stand up, but you can take it in the bath. * Sara Pascoe * It's a cry for help, but it's a very funny one. * Dara Ó Briain * Hilarious, astute, profound. Make an appointment to read - and for God's sake keep it. * Danny Wallace * Just like his stand up, this book is brilliantly written, funny and makes me love him a lot. How annoying. * Aisling Bea * Nuanced and hilarious takes on the decisions facing all 30-somethings. Goddamn Rhys for making me laugh out loud reading a book - the most annoying thing a person can do. It's mega funny and sneakily wise. * Phil Wang * It turns out Rhys James is not only a brilliant comedian, he's also a fabulously talented writer. I tore through this book in one sitting because it's such a total joy to read - laugh out loud funny and endlessly relatable. * Emily Dean *


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