Final Rating:
Date of Completion: 14/11/2025
Published by: Random House Audio
ISBN: B0DVD8PSJV
Fans of Kevin Fredericks will enjoy the heartfelt and entertaining look at his journey in ‘Successful Failure,’ though it wasn’t quite as funny or impactful as I had hoped.
Cover:
Writing:
Content:
Narration & Audio:
As a longtime fan of KevOnStage (Kevin Fredericks), I picked up this book expecting a hilarious read filled with valuable life lessons. For the most part, Kevin delivers this. He shares key moments from his childhood as well as the highs and lows that shaped his path to success. The easy, conversational tone is further enhanced by Kevin’s authentic delivery in the audiobook. However, I found the content a bit disjointed, and the humour didn’t quite meet my expectations, so I wasn’t entirely captivated by this book.
Discussion Questions (Contains spoilers!):
Q: Do you have any similar book recommendations?
Mo Gilligan’s That Moment When is a similar read, blending life lessons with entertaining stories from the British comedian’s rise to fame. Kevin’s reflections and insights from the experiences that shaped his journey also remind me of Becoming by Michelle Obama.
Q: Which of Kevin’s experiences stood out most to you?
His story about mismanaging $150,000 really stood out to me because it’s a significant amount of money and could have been avoided if he had listened to his wife! It’s a great example of how ambition and impatience can lead to costly mistakes.
Q: Do you play any instruments?
I had some violin lessons as a kid and learned to play the keyboard a bit in school. However, my musical skills are pretty rusty now. I can only remember how to play one song on the keyboard, so I wouldn’t count that as being able to play an instrument.
Q: Did Kevin’s experiences change the way you think about success and failure?
Q: What are some failures that have helped shape your life?
Q: How well do you embrace failure and learn from it?
Q: Did you ever act in plays or perform as a kid, like Kevin did growing up?
Q: How does your childhood compare to Kevin’s?
Q: How do your childhood dreams compare to your current path?
Q: How did your parents meet?
Q: Do you have godparents? Do they play a special role in your life?
Q: Who’s the funniest person in your family?
Q: Have you ever popped yourself or done something equally embarrassing as an adult?
Q: Like Kevin, have you ever invested time or money into a business without having a clear plan?
Q: Are you currently self-employed, or would you like to be someday?
Q: Were there any parts of Kevin’s journey that surprised you?
Do you agree or disagree with anything mentioned above? Let us know in the comments below.
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