Somebody Told Me by Danny WallaceSynopsis: “Have you been keeping your eye on your grandma lately? Have you been calling her enough? You sure she’s not spending too much time on YouTube? Is she talking fondly of dictators? Has she suddenly started quietly muttering in the Aldi queue about the “Jewish Space Lasers” she’s heard are setting wildfires around the world to make sure everyone believes in climate change? When was the moment the world began to believe anything?
Danny Wallace, million-copy bestselling author of Yes Man and Join Me, has fallen down the modern rabbit hole of lies, conspiracies and disinformation. Along the way, he encounters families torn apart by accusations and fake news, journalists putting themselves on the frontline of the disinformation war, reformed conspiracy theorists, influencers who see profit in stoking paranoia, and the shadowy nameless, faceless trolls on the other side of our screens. He discovers how disinformation and well-told lies can ruin a year or a whole life, how they can affect our family, our street, our community. How they can spread across a country, a continent, even the world. How they take hold of our imaginations and make us feel both helpless and powerful. And Danny asks: can you do anything to stop it – even with the truth on your side?”

My Review

I really enjoyed this audiobook written and read by Danny Wallace. A fascinating look into the world of conspiracy theories, and how easy it is to get pulled into them.

I loved a previous book by the author F**k  You Very Much, which was all about the rise of rudeness in everyday life, so when I spotted this in the library I thought both me and my husband would enjoy it.

I listened to the audiobook via Spotify and Danny Wallace’s narration was perfect. He took me on a wild journey into how easy it is to get sucked into conspiracy theories, starting with his own experience, with an old man in China, who used to email his late father.

He then took me on a trip around the UK, and further afield, talking to people who’ve gone down rabbit holes, some who’ve come out the other side, and others who have family members still affected by it all.  It really was fascinating, but also a bit scary and worrying about the future, especially with AI involved now, on top of all the troll farms and bots.

I hope I haven’t made it sound too serious as there was a lot of humour in it too, which definitely help to lighten the heaviness and paranoia!

Highly recommended if you’re interested in the whole world of conspiracy theories, and everything that comes with them.

Book 18 of 20 Books of Summer 2025