Russell Brand's latest literary effort, How to Become a Christian in Seven Days, has been met with overwhelmingly negative reviews, with critics labelling it an 'offence against God' and a painful read. The 50-year-old comedian and actor, who faced sexual assault allegations in 2023 and is set to stand trial later this year for rape and sexual assault charges involving six women, has turned to Christian preaching in his new book. Brand, who denies all allegations, was baptised in the River Thames in April 2024 alongside Bear Grylls.
Scathing Critiques from Major Outlets
The Telegraph's Christopher Howse awarded the book zero stars, describing it as 'like being locked in an empty pub all night with a garrulous drunk'. He added that the prose is 'criminally painful to read' and that the 'victim I feel most sorry for is God'.
The i Paper's Emily Bootle criticised Brand for using 'rambling biblical metaphors and Christian ideology as a vessel for unfinished Notes-app thoughts, crackpot conspiracy theories' and for 'manipulation of respectable Christian values for personal gain'.
The Times' John Maier brutally concluded that 'Brand has swallowed a dictionary, and it is not coming out again via his mouth'.
Other Reactions
Musician Nick Cave, known for exploring religious themes, responded to a query about Brand's book with a simple: 'Good for atheism.' In The New Statesman, Pippa Bailey noted Brand's 'verbose style' that 'feels almost deliberately obfuscatory', writing that 'he writes as though he might batter you into submission with the sheer weight of his syllables'.
The book is published by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson's imprint. Brand's promotional tour included an infamous appearance on Piers Morgan's Uncensored show, where he struggled for 90 seconds to find a Bible passage, an event widely mocked online.
