Since listening to an interview by Louis Theroux on his ‘Grounded’ podcast I’ve became fascinated with Michaela’s mind: how she’s able to question things without being sanctimonious; being open enough to create a much needed dialogue about tricky issues, and humble enough to be always willing to learn.

This comes across in her debut book, Misfits.

The main body of the book is a lecture Coel has delivered to professionals within the television industry: not so much a call-out, but an invitation, a plea for transparency within the industry, aptly bookended by an introduction and epilogue in which she examines her own reluctance to deal with conflict and trauma head on.

This is a very short book that can be read in just over one hour. Still, its message and use of metaphor are powerful enough to provide food for thought long after the last page has been turned, and hopefully, an honest examination about our own attitudes towards others–even (and perhaps, especially) if they’re ‘just the way things are.’

The only issue I have with this book is from a design perspective. The fluidity of Michaela’s writing is often interrupted by intrusive quotes of lines from her manifesto, every couple of pages, as if I hadn’t just read them myself, in what seems like a desperate attempt for social media shareability. Please allow your readers to decide for themselves which parts of the text resonate with them, instead of force-feeding them in this patronising manner.

This manifesto confirms Michaela Coel's talent as a writer. Both eye-opening and funny she offers an insight on her childhood and career. Really looking forward to a proper novel.

After watching I May Destroy You in one sitting during lockdown, I was desperate to read anything Michaela Coel had written. This was a very short read (now what I was expecting) but was a good insight into what Michaela Coel into the writer/actor she is today.

I had a conversation about Michaela Coel during a visit with friends last week. I wondered aloud why someone so talented still seems to constantly be flying under the radar instead of exploding. During the run of Chewing Gum I was astonished when my friends all the way in America asked me if I'd seen the show. I expected her star to rise, much like Phoebe Waller Bridge. Unapologetic, relatable stories about women but finally from a Black perspective. Issa Rae of the UK. Not to discount the achievements of Waller Bridge but I get the distinct feeling the same opportunities haven't been presented and this book delves a little bit into why.
I May Destroy You was brilliant and brave, I watched it just before reading this book but had no idea just how autobiographical it was. I'd like to say that this manifesto finds Coel laid bare but I get the feeling that her soul goes into every project. I hope she and all the other misfit storytellers keep fighting to be heard.

A short bit unforgettable transcript of Coel’s lecture, bookended by updates and notes. Her use of language just dazzles me! Highly recommended for insight into the current state of the TV industry.

Thank you to the author, publishers and Net Galley for my advance e copy.

I want to start by saying that I love and have always loved Michaela Coel, even from back in the original Chewing Gum days and her most recent TV series This May Destroy You was one of the best shows I saw all year.

This is more an essay I would say than a book. Memoirs from her growing up are included as well as an all important lecture she was asked to give, which gives the background info for the book.

I could of read more and more of Michaela's thoughts and experiences as we are around the same age and grew up with the latest trends, so I feel like we have much in common!

I will be looking out for any more future writing and books from her!

Michaela Coel is an incredibly talented writer and actor and over the last decade has started to break down the barriers within the television and film” system”: This book is a call to arms for all of us who don’t feel we fit into a defined view of life and society ( often the tabloid stereotype of a halcyon 1950s England ) Coel writes in such an accessible way that you don’t want her to stop telling her stories of her misfit experiences - some the harrowing events in her life and laid bare . Barriers and future paths are developing in 2021 and this book gives a positive view that if we all support each other more much could be achieved. Coel is unique and her voice needs to be heard to liberate those who are often trapped in a society that seems to reward the privileged few more than those who truly deserve to be recognised. A concise but rewarding read that will leave me thinking about the ‘shaking ladder ‘for a long time to come.

This is short but very powerful. I absorbed every word. I think it recognises openly and honestly how people can easily feel like a misfit in society. Fascinating read.

I absolutely love the work of Michaela Coel so was so excited to receive an ARC from Netgalley for her book Misfits: A Personal Manifesto. It is largely based around the content for her Edinburgh Festival MacTaggart lecture and is bookmarked by her thoughts and developments since that lecture. Coel’s background, career path, the obstacles she has faced and talent are completely fascinating. The overarching theme of Misfits is the need for transparency and embracing our differences and each other’s different experiences of life - this is backed up with what we have come to expect from Coel’s writing which is complete no-holds barred honesty. This is a short read - fans of her work will love it but it may not offer a huge amount of content that they are unfamiliar with. For those new to Coel’s writing, this is a great and fascinating introduction. Those who also work in the entertainment industry will also find it very helpful and will hugely appreciate the candid way she describes the pitfalls.

I have really enjoyed reading 'Misfits' by Michaela Coel which is a short and important piece of writing by such a talent. This book draws on Michaela's Edinburgh Festival MacTaggart lecture which I had read extracts from but never read in full. Michaela shares anecdotes from growing up and going to school in London to her experiences in the TV industry. What I love about Michaela Coel is that she is not afraid to call out unfair and inappropriate behaviour. She looks at how things can be done better. She's such an important voice and her TV writing is truly unique. I loved reading this book and only wished it was longer. There is so much from 'Misfits' to go away and ponder. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Amazing. A book everyone should read to understand ‘diversity’ or misfits as Michaela calls it. It is on par with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s We Should All Be Feminists and an important essay on understanding that you can’t show experiences beyond your knowledge on TV without supporting those people and questioning the norm. Outstanding. Read it.