Joyful Recollections of Trauma

From award-winning actor and comedian Paul Scheer, a candid and humorous memoir-in-essays on coming to terms with childhood trauma and finding the joy in embracing your authentic self.

Paul Scheer has entertained countless fans and podcast listeners with stories about the odd, wild, and absurd details of his life. Yet these tales have pointed to deeper, difficult truths that the actor and comedian has kept to himself. Now, Paul is finally ready to share those truths for the first time.

Blending the confident, affable humor that has won him a dedicated following with a refreshing level of candor, Joyful Recollections of Trauma chronicles Paul’s often shocking, admittedly messed-up childhood, and how the experiences of his youth have reverberated throughout his life. In his comedy, Paul has always been unafraid to “go there,” to play naïve, cringeworthy characters, imbuing them with disarming charm and humanity. That daring openness is on display in the pages of this memoir. Nothing is off limits: from reckoning with his stepfather’s alcoholism to finding self-acceptance to becoming a good father himself.

Joining bestselling celebrity authors Casey Wilson, Colin Jost, Seth Rogen, Molly Shannon, and Bob Odenkirk, Paul Scheer demonstrates once again that the truth is often stranger—and funnier—than fiction. Joyful Recollections of Trauma offers a unique perspective on universal themes: growing up, working through a challenging childhood, staying true to oneself, and finding success, fulfillment, and happiness in often strange and difficult circumstances. Paul shares both hard-fought lessons and laughter that can be found in the darkest parts of life, and reminds us that what matters is not what you’ve been through but who you are becoming.

Joyful Recollections of Trauma includes a 16-page color photo insert.