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  • Published: 10 September 2024
  • ISBN: 9781761620058
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 128
  • RRP: $40.00

You Don't Have To Have A Dream

Advice for the Incrementally Ambitious




Charlie Mackesy meets Kurt Vonnegut, in the first non-fiction book from Tim Minchin: a beautifully idiosyncratic celebration of life, art, success, kindness, love and thriving in a meaningless universe, drawn from three iconic graduation speeches.

‘Life will sometimes seem long and tough. And you will sometimes be happy and sometimes sad. And then you’ll be old. And then you’ll be dead. There is only one sensible thing to do with this empty existence, and that is: fill it.’

A book for the science-loving reality-romantic in all of us, You Don’t Have to Have a Dream offers Tim Minchin’s inimitable thoughts and advice on life, art, success, kindness, love, and thriving in a meaningless universe. Drawn from three of his iconic commencement addresses, and beautifully designed with specially commissioned illustrations throughout, it’s a rallying cry for creativity, critical thinking, and compassion in our daily lives.

It’s never too late to put something beautiful out into the world.

  • Published: 10 September 2024
  • ISBN: 9781761620058
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 128
  • RRP: $40.00

About the author

Tim Minchin

Tim Minchin is an internationally-acclaimed songwriter, singer, pianist, comedian, actor and writer. In addition to his sell-out music and comedy tours, he is the composer of music and lyrics to Matilda the Musical and Groundhog Day, both of which won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, and the co-creator of the award-winning TV comedy Upright. He is the author of three previous books: Storm, When I Grow Up, and Sometimes You Have to Be a Little Naughty. Tim lives with his family in Sydney, Australia.