Published 9th November 2023 by Simon and Schuster.
From the cover of the book:
Joe loves predictability. But his life is about to become a surprising adventure.
Joe-Nathan likes the two parts of his name separate, just like his dinner and dessert. Mean Charlie at work sometimes calls him Joe-Nuthin. But Joe is far from nothing. Joe is a good friend, he’s good at his job, good at making things and good at following the rules, and he’s learning how to do lots of things by himself.
Joe’s mother knows there are a million things in life he isn’t prepared for. While she helps guide him every day, she’s also writing notebooks full of advice about the things she hasn’t told Joe yet, things he might forget and answers to questions he hasn’t yet asked.
Following her wisdom – applying it in his own unique way – this next part of Joe’s life is more of a surprise than he expects. Because he’s about to learn that remarkable things can happen when you leave your comfort zone, and that you can do even the hardest things with a little help from your friends.
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Joe-Nathan loves routine, and for everything to be in its proper place, including the two separate parts of his name. He finds rules comforting, and takes great care to do a good job once he knows how to perform each task. His mother Janet helps to guide him through the things he needs to know to live an independent life, including advice about the less tangible things he needs to get to grips with to understand his fellow human beings, but she knows she will not always be here to answer Joe's questions. There are so many things Joe will need to discover for himself, and despite the notebooks of advice she has compiled for him, Janet is aware that he will have to learn many of life's biggest lessons on his own.
One of Joe's biggest trials is learning to read other people. He likes to be on good terms with all, but not everyone takes his open and genial nature in the right spirit, and this often perplexes him. He has made good pals amongst the staff at the Compass Store where he works, but cannot understand why 'Mean' Charlie refuses to be his friend, and has given him the hurtful nickname Joe-Nuthin... especially as Joe knows lots of things, particularly about woodwork, graveyard inscriptions, and his favourite tv show Friends. Joe is determined that he will win him over. All Charlie needs is a little help to see what a good friend Joe can be, and he is willing to push himself out of his comfort zone to do it...
Fisher fills this book with wonderful characters who quickly work their way into your heart. At the centre there is the beautifully written Joe, trying to negotiate this tricky old thing called life based on the wisdom of his caring mother Janet - who could teach us all a lot about understanding the world around us. In support, Fisher conjures up Janet and her OAP friends, Hazel and the delightful curmudgeon Angus (with a heart of gold); and the quirky Compass Stores gang, including Hugo 'Boss', Pip, and the feisty, foul-mouthed Chloe with her fists at the ready to defend Joe when required... not forgetting the loyal crowd at Joe's local, The Ink and Feather.
The gospel of Janet is the backbone to Joe's journey in this quiet and gentle story, but each of the lovely characters has something to add to aid him in the dilemmas that face him living day to day - some more usefully than others. There are so many scenes that evoke laughter and tears, but is the intensely emotional storyline that connects Joe and Charlie that gives rise to most of the glorious moments of heartbreak and joy, and the way Fisher explores sadness, friendship, and the dangers that come with making assumptions about people through Joe's thoughts and actions is truly awe-inspiring. There are certainly a lot of things Joe has trouble with, but he understands a lot more about helping someone through a sad situation than people realise.
I loved this book from the first page to the last, crying heart-felt tears throughout, before building up to a full on sob session at the gorgeous ending. Life affirming, heart-warming, wise, funny, and insightful, this is my 'in the feels' book of the year!
Joe Nuthin's Guide to Life is available to buy now in hardcover, ebook and audio formats.
Thank you to Laura Sherlock PR for sending me a proof f this book in return for an honest review.
About the author:
Helen Fisher spent her early life in America but grew up mainly in Suffolk, where she now lives with her two children. She studied psychology at Westminster University and ergonomics at UCL, and worked as a senior evaluator in research at RNIB. She is the author of Space Hopper and Joe Nuthin's Guide to Life.
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