It's No Laughing Matter
A powerful story about emotional repression, laughter, and the therapeutic journey toward freedom
A Journey from Silence to Laughter
If you loved It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini or Good Material by Dolly Alderton, you'll love It's No Laughing Matter written by Gordon Blitz.
This remarkable novel explores how emotional repression is transformed into a powerful, witty, and deeply human story. Wade and Brenda's contrasting journeys—one finding joy through unexpected connection, the other through the chaos of comedy and captivity—beautifully illustrate the therapeutic value of laughter and emotional freedom.
Meet the Characters
Two souls shaped by silence, each finding their own path to emotional freedom
Wade
A mathematician convinced that humor was frivolous, Wade pursued a dry profession until he discovered the transformative power of joy. Trapped in an elevator for four hours with a stranger, he learned that sometimes the most profound connections come from the most unexpected circumstances.
Finding joy through unexpected connection
Brenda
Determined to become a world-class comedian, Brenda pursued stand-up comedy with passion. Her harrowing adventure—kidnapped and held captive—forced her to confront her deepest fears and discover unexpected humanity in the darkest circumstances.
Finding freedom through chaos and connection
Core Themes
What makes this novel resonate with readers
Emotional Repression
Growing up in a household where laughter is forbidden stunts emotional growth and social skills, creating lasting psychological impacts.
Therapeutic Laughter
Laughter and emotional expression are not luxuries but essential tools for healing and reclaiming our full humanity.
Emotional Freedom
True liberation comes from embracing the full spectrum of human emotions and allowing ourselves to feel deeply and authentically.
What Readers Are Saying
Discover why readers love It's No Laughing Matter
"In It's No Laughing Matter, the silence of Wade and Brenda's childhood resonates like a muted drumbeat—one that this fierce, revelatory narrative shatters with every roar of laughter. Wade, the austere mathematician, discovers that humor isn't a pointless equation but the bright fractal burst that renders life's darkest corridors navigable; four hours trapped in a stalled elevator become a crucible of self‑rediscovery as he and his stranger‑companion forge compassion out of shared absurdity."
"Brenda, driven to master the art of merriment, tumbles from the stage into a dank cellar, bound and alone, only to unearth the playful, trembling humanity in her captor's eyes. Through their twin odysseys—equal parts harrowing and hilariously profound—the book unfurls a defiant anthem: laughter is not luxury but lifeblood, the alchemy that transmutes grief to grace."
"Electric with poetic fury and tender insight, It's No Laughing Matter is a rallying cry to reclaim our full emotional spectrum, a wild celebration of joy's healing power that will leave your ribs aching—not from sorrow, but from the most glorious laugh you've ever dared to give."
Goodreads Reviewer • July 30, 2025
5.0
Average Rating
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The Journey
From silence to expression: a visual representation of emotional transformation
About Gordon Blitz
After forty years as an accountant, Gordon Blitz retired in 2017 and became a passionate writing machine. As a senior LGBTQ+ man, he brings a unique perspective on identity, resilience, and hidden histories to his work.
Gordon is a multi-media creative artist, novelist, playwright, and performer. His work has been recognized at prestigious festivals including the Kennedy Center American Theater College Festival and various regional theater festivals. Beyond It's No Laughing Matter, he has published six novels exploring themes of identity, transformation, and human connection.
Ready to Discover the Power of Laughter?
Join Wade and Brenda on their transformative journey and explore what it means to reclaim your full emotional spectrum.