Can I Have My Ball Back? - A Memoir of Masculinity, Mortality and My Right Testicle

by Richard Herring

'Very funny, moving and heartwarming' BOB MORTIMER

'A bollockbuster!' ADAM BUXTON

If we are cowardly, we are told to grow some
If we're brave, we're said to have huge ones
If it's cold, they are liable to fall off - even if you're a brass monkey
If we're in trouble, someone will threaten to break them
If we have to work hard, we might very well bust them
If we're in somebody's thrall, then they've got us by them

About fifteen years ago, Richard Herring first took part in a campaign to encourage men to have a little (non-sexual) feel of their balls every now and again. But it was embarrassing and weird, and if there was something wrong, he didn't want to know about it.

Anyway, that kind of stuff only happens to other people, doesn't it?

At the start of 2021 Richard Herring was diagnosed with testicular cancer. For a man whose output includes a stand-up tour titled Talking Cock and who regularly interrogates our attitudes towards masculinity, it was a diagnosis that came with additional layers of complexity.

Telling Rich's personal story alongside an exploration of what defines masculinity and 'maleness' in society, Can I Have My Ball Back? is not your typical cancer memoir. Whether they're nuts, bollocks, gonads or family jewels; from the phrase 'grow some balls' to infamous WWII songs about Hitler; Rich unpicks the tangle of emotions around his own testing times.

Genres: Nonfiction, Comedy, Memoir, Humor, Audiobook, Autobiography, Medical

352 pages, Hardcover

Published January 24, 2023

Reviews

[Xanthi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this on audiobook, read by the author.
I know the author is a comedian but I was still surprised at how hard I laughed throughout this book, given the topic. I felt a bit guilty about that until I realised that was his intent. He also discussed using humour as a coping mechanism, plus did not shy away from admitting he was often terrified.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally! A positive story about cancer!!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have testicles, or love someone with testicles this is a must read. Highly informative and hilarious.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and engaging, you would be hard pushed to find another book this informative about cancer, testicles and the ancient art of stone-clearing.

[BurritoChris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Richard Herring is legitimately funny, and the book really plays to his strengths. The amount of testicle research that has gone into this is very impressive.

[🌶 peppersocks 🧦 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reflections and lessons learned:
“If Screech can die, anyone can die”

I’ve always been a fan of the daft and dark humour of Herring - not always the deepest, but comedy doesn’t always need to be, and often life simply needs a crude gag to make light of the silliness. But this was obviously going to be different, given that it’s dealing with a huge health scare and procedure. Still it made me laugh though… a fantastic retelling for anyone trying to deal with their own health crisis and trying to find the potential positives… and the Ernie story had me in tears… genitals and fecal matter… what more could a book need

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels wrong to describe this book as an enjoyable read considering the subject matter but it was. It's an uplifting read that makes you stop and consider the fragility of life but also to appreciate the small things that often go unnoticed.

Richard has got the mix of sadness and humour spot on, it's touching without being sentimental. It's an easy read with a conversational writing style.

The sections at the end of each chapter with historical and funny facts about testicles were a nice lighthearted finish to each section.

I'm not too familiar with Richard's stand-up but this book made me want to check out more of his work.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am giving this 5 stars on the basis that I woke my husband because I was shaking with laughter and I don't think I have laughed so hard at a book since Terry Pratchett was alive. And aside from that particular scatological snowman episode, a glorious send-up of the whole 'making memories' thing, it is a jolly decent book all round... as in good writing and as in good hearted and ethical intent (and achievement) Lots of interesting testicular facts, medical, cultural, historical, a frank personal account, with a side helping of Taskmaster anecdotes.

[Jack Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and interesting. If you've ever wondered anything at all about testicles - and who hasn't etc. then the 'facts' sections will intrigue, horrify, and educate. The rest of it is Richard's memoir about his cancer experience, which isn't all 'ooh I could get a book out of this' but some of it is. I am very fond of Richard Keith, whose blog I've been reading for twenty years or something, and his writing always makes me laugh. He talks frankly about the physical stuff (very Herring) but also candidly about the emotional experience of having cancer. I am glad he is not dead (yet).

[Simon Ackroyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's difficult to know what to make of this book, as it's loaded with cock and ball jokes. My wife asked me what I expected after reading the title, and I'll admit that perhaps I should have seen it coming. I dont know, I just wanted more funny, non-cock-related tales. The Barry Cryer stuff was great and made me laugh. I really like Richard and everything he stands for, and I'm delighted that he's doing so well, but I thought there would be more anecdotes around life in general, Taskmaster, or Richard Not Judy.

[Tom Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not a fan of Richard Herring's work in general, and this book reinforces that disposition. That someone who is in the public eye chose to recount their journey through a very dark time is laudable but the forced jocularity is wearing. I understand, I think, the need to try to shed light on what is one of those subjects which are never discussed, but I'm not convinced that every bad joke/pun/alliteration relating to testicles or bodily functions is needed to make the point.

[Andy Parkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Men are terrible at talking about....anything really, so it's good to see a very honest and personal account of someone dealing with testicular cancer while lacing it with comedy.

Having listened to a LOT of Richard's podcasts down the years a big chunk of the stories I'd already heard in one form or another but there was still plenty to take in for any hardcore fans. (There's even a weak lemon drink reference in there)

[Katherine Garrood · Rating 4 out of 5]

About as funny as cancer, which it turns out is pretty funny. Richard Herring takes us through his testicular cancer diagnosis and treatment interspersed with funny facts and stories from history. The audiobook features interviews with his oncologist, his wife and his right bollock plus a mini stone clearing podcast.

[Andy Midwinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. It’s a book for fans of Richard Herring as he tells the story of his fight against testicular cancer with the humour you come to expect from his many podcasts and projects. A raced through this in a few days

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In writing about the testicular cancer he went though in 2021, Richard Herring has produced a book which covers his experience both humourously and with meaning. The best book I've read in 2022 and most certainly the only book i've ever read where a right bollock gets quite a few pages of dialogue.

[Methuselah · Rating 5 out of 5]

With humor and an awe-inspiring number of euphemisms for "testicles," Herring makes you enjoy following him through the fear-inducing ride of cancer. Loved him on Taskmaster, so I also really enjoyed those few nuggets of insight about the show!

[David Meiklejohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Richard got cancer on a testicle and had it removed. This is a recount of how it happened and how he dealt with it, with extra ball-shaped information at the end of each chapter, plenty of humour, and the biggest collections of testes euphemisms ever gathered in one book.

[Polly Perks · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very funny, interesting and heartwarming insight into all things testicle, and a specific insight in Herring’s testicle (or, as it happens, the lack thereof). I now know far more than I ever have about all things scrotum related, both historical and medical. A worthwhile read.

[Mr Neal Graham Shepperson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scrotally excellent.

A funny, heartwarming and thought provoking read about a comedians journey through his diagnosis of testicular cancer. Well worth a read (and the occasional check downstairs).

[Dean Joseph Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

saving lives,but flat at the end

I really enjoyed this book up until he has his bollock hacked off , he seem to lose his Mojo after that. I really like Richard Herring but the book could’ve been a lot shorter and better for it.

[Kevin Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read. The balance of Rich’s unique blend of brilliantly petulant childishness and incredibly endearing pathos makes the tone of this book exactly what I want from one of my favourite comedians. Long live the monoballer!!!

[Twan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Load of old bollocks

[Benjamin John Tolley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly eloquent and touching.

[Marmalade · Rating 5 out of 5]

An informative book but also funny in places especially what his son did at his mother's house 😆

[Harry Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

very funny, very touching. unique exploration of masculinity and what it means to be a man. always loved Herring, but a newfound respect.

[Andy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny, moving, and heartwarming.

[Stephan Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poignant and funny

[Nick Grey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Positive and engaging memoir of the author’s recent ordeal, but ultimately lingers in the shadow cast by his magnum opus Talking Cock.

[Daniel Plume · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love Richard Herring then this is excellent.

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

About what you'd expect, really.