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  • Failure Is an Option

  • An Attempted Memoir
  • Written by: H. Jon Benjamin
  • Narrated by: H. Jon Benjamin
  • Length: 4 hrs and 58 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (281 ratings)

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Failure Is an Option cover art

Failure Is an Option

Written by: H. Jon Benjamin
Narrated by: H. Jon Benjamin
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Publisher's Summary

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 Audio

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

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What listeners say about Failure Is an Option

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    5 out of 5 stars

Not reading this book would be an epic failure

I have never bothered to write a review before. I listened straight through, laughing all the way. So much to relate to, so much to cheer for, so much to just enjoy. Rushed out and bought several copies as gifts.

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5 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars

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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H. John Benjamin is my kindred spirit.

If you like Archer, Bob's Burgers, or the convenience store dude on Family Guy just to name a few...BUY THIS BOOK. If you don't, do it anyway, I laughed out loud like a fool to many times to count.

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2 people found this helpful

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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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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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Good Stuff

I love these autobiographical books, he's got a distinct voice and is easy to listen to, enjoyed this a lot

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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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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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Hilarious

I loved every second of it. So funny, especially the prisoner story with the cousin

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  • Nat
  • 2022-03-07

How I failed to not love this book

I laughed out loud and snorted in public while listening to this multiple times. Excellent listen.

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