Comedian and podcaster Richard Herring has not exactly veered away from the topic of male genitalia during his career, with a previous standup tour and related book both titled Talking Cock. When that book was published in 2003, it’s unlikely Herring imagined he would return to the same subject almost 20 years later for Can I Have My Ball Back?, albeit in far more serious circumstances: in 2021, following a cumulation of ignored warning signs, Herring was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
He describes, with typical wit and warmth, the story of his initial symptoms, the shock of his diagnosis, the worry that accompanied it, and the renewed appreciation he has felt for life since (spoiler alert) his eventual recovery. It’s particularly moving when Herring describes how he confronted his own mortality, and more specifically, how much he wanted to remain alive to spend more time with his wife and children.
Between chapters, we are given inserts of information regarding male genitalia and attitudes towards it throughout the ages. These are sometimes interesting, sometimes less so, and occasionally feel like padding. But this is a minor gripe – Can I Have My Ball Back? is an honest, moving, funny book about the most serious of subjects.
Can I Have My Ball Back?, Richard Herring (Sphere)
Price: £20. Info: here
words JOSHUA REES