Failure Is an Option
An Attempted Memoir
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Failure Is an Option
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Narrated by:
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H. Jon Benjamin
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Written by:
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H. Jon Benjamin
About this listen
Actor, voice actor, and comedian H. Jon Benjamin helps us all feel a little better about our own failures by sharing his own - despite his success starring on Archer and Bob's Burgers - in a hilarious, self-helpful memoir.
While he's not quite a household name, most people would consider H. Jon Benjamin, the voice-actor star of Archer and Bob's Burgers (and a sentient can of mixed vegetables in 2015's Wet Hot American Summer) a comedy show business success. But he'd like to remind everyone that as great as success can be, failure is also an option. In a hilarious, self-deprecating memoir, Jon lays out some of his many failures in all areas of life, from Work ("wherein I'm unable to deliver a sizzling fajita") to Family ("wherein a trip to PF Chang's fractures a family").
Fans of his characters' signature wit and voice will rejoice in H. Jon Benjamin's comical failures - and appreciate a rare look into the life of the man behind their favorite shows.
©2018 H. Jon Benjamin (P)2018 Penguin AudioYou may also enjoy...
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What the critics say
“His craft, and what makes him such an inspired and singular voice, is to make it look easy.... That it’s decidedly not that easy is part of the gag; writing this funny requires immense talent.” (AV Club)
“It’s that voice.... Had me laughing out loud.” (The New York Times)
“Benjamin’s stories run the gamut from personal to professional and will leave you laughing out loud and embracing your own failures.” (HelloGiggles)
What listeners say about Failure Is an Option
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Woody
- 2019-07-17
10/10 would recommend
This was a great listen! Very entertaining and down to earth. I Had no idea that H. Jon Benjamin has had such an eventful life and I was hooked the entire time :)
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Patrick Maliha
- 2018-06-07
You MUST listen to this book! Or don't. Whatever.
Excellent reason by H. Jon Benjamin. Starts off, very... Meh. But, once he gets going it is incredibly funny. For reals. I laughed out loud (LOL'd, if you will) so many times, that j can only recommend this book for people who enjoy laughing and listening to someone who can and will make you laugh.
My only complaint is that the book itself isn't longer and that H. Jon doesn't get more into detail on numerous aspects of his life. I know that it's supposed to be about failure, but why not go into more detail about how you succeeded at life? It's almost as though he failed to create the perfect book.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Tis b
- 2018-07-02
wonderfull!!
sadly related way way too much.
after finishing this I realized that yes "failure is an option" but don't let it stop you and not to listen to h. jon Benjamin when he says he has an idea for a new show. jokes aside wonderfull book amazing voice could listen to him all day.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rikki-Lynn Sweetland
- 2022-08-10
Hilarious
I loved every second of it. So funny, especially the prisoner story with the cousin
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- bree
- 2020-08-19
Too short
Killed this whole audiobook in an afternoon. Immediately started it over. Given the overarching theme of this book, it would be foolish to expect a followup anytime soon, but a girl can dream. And then fail at dreaming.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kim
- 2021-05-17
Love the voice
I loved the voice of Bob in Bob’s Burgers and so bought this book after 4 seconds of the sample. It made me laugh and that’s what I was expecting. Thank you!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- MickeyNine
- 2023-01-03
Excellent!
loved it! laughed out loud listening to this. you don't need to be a fan of his work to find this fun and entertaining.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jezel
- 2023-10-18
A Book About Nothing yet Everything
Biggest takeaway from this book was that it was consistently funny from beginning to end. H. Jon Benjamin can just talk about anything and it will be funny, and that's basically what he did here. Is it an autobiography? Sort of, but not really. Is he offering advice? Not really, but a little bit. Does the book recount humorous anecdotes involving celebrities? Kind of, but not much. It's essentially just Benjamin telling funny stories from his life, shaded with his dry wit and incredible sense of humor. It was a pretty light-hearted listen and I really enjoyed it. I do wish that it were longer though because I wasn't ready for it to be over.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Ruby
- 2018-06-27
I almost finished this in one sitting!
Don't sleep with your cousin for a good story!!
This story is the opposite of serious and will have you cringing in a good way.
You will enjoy it!
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Patrick R. Callas
- 2018-09-22
A hilarious memoir & up yours to success books!
I only knew H. Jon Benjamin as the voice of Archer on the adult cartoon series by the same name, and I saw him in some bit parts on TV shows. His memoir's title was compelling and I like his voice. This audiobook did not disappoint. I laughed hard and often. Also I found the premise of failure being an option in life was refreshing after so many damned Success Now or Success in 10 Easy Steps books. You don't need to be some huge success to have a good and meaningful life. H. Jon thank you for you your candour and wit!
#Audible1
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