Painfully honest in all its sadness, with real laugh out loud moments, this is a book for all parents giving us permission to not be perfect.
Feature image credit: Simon & Schuster
Well-known Australian stand-up comedian Bron Lewis, regularly seen on Have You Been Paying Attention? and Thank God You’re Here, as well as other comedy shows and podcasts, has now written I’m Not Mad (Anymore), a very honest autobiography. One would have thought it would be a very funny, laugh-out-loud book on her exploits. Instead, it is an extremely honest and often painful telling of the darkest but simultaneously most joyful times in her life.
Well-written and at times difficult to read, this book is full of angst which often does not let up for quite a while. It is a story of Lewis’ battles with mental illness: both her own, and that of her mother. But it is also a story of absolute love: for her amazing partner Lucasz, her children, and eventually her mother through forgiveness and understanding.
Bron Lewis grew up in a household with a mother who suffered through menopause, and then when her own black thoughts came after the birth of her children, she tried to ignore them. Along the way there are those who recognised the signs and were eventually able to help.
The obvious pain Lewis is struggling with does not really ever let up but there are enough funny moments to break the relentless black cloud over her life. We learn of Lewis’ past life as a teacher and many will relate to her stories of this time, especially those who were also juggling motherhood.
In the past and often still today, so many mothers suffered from post-natal depression in silence, and if it was mentioned, it was usually considered your fault for not being able to cope. Reading this book will enable many women to understand that they are not alone and there is always help available.
I’m Not Mad (Anymore) is extremely honest in all its sadness, but it is also very funny:
‘If you have a sibling and you like them, remember your mother made them for you. If you have a sibling and you don’t like them, remember that’s probably your dad’s fault somehow. You simply cannot fight science.’
For those who navigated motherhood relatively easily, it will give you a sense of what others may be going though and also some of the signs to look out for so that we may be able to step in before it gets worse.
In the epilogue, Lewis tells us that she had promised herself to be as honest as possible and she has done just that in her own loud, brash and very funny way.
Reviewed by Sue Mauger
The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.
Distributed by: Simon & Schuster
Released: February 2026
RRP: $36.99
