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I Swear

My Life with Tourette’s - The funny and moving autobiography, now a BAFTA award-winning film

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I Swear

By: John Davidson
Narrated by: David Monteath
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

From the remarkable man whose life inspired the heartstopping film, ‘I Swear’, a book that offers extraordinary insight into what it’s like to live with a severe form of Tourette’s Syndrome: a fascinating, complex condition that’s more common than most of us think ( 1 in 100 schoolchildren have the condition) , and yet is chronically misunderstood.

Born in the 1970s on the Scottish Borders, John’s was twelve when his tics first arrived, as if from nowhere. Previously a happy, popular, football-mad boy he was labelled disruptive, rude, and even mad. As his condition progressed, from blinks and jerks to involuntary rude and obscene shouting, John was bullied, rejected - alienated from his family and a society that had no idea what to make of him.

Hospitalized and drugged for months, it was only an extraordinary and transformative friendship, and John’s dogged optimism, that turned his life around, making I Swear an inspirational story of triumph over adversity.

Through John’s eyes, we see Tourette’s not just as a medical condition, but as a lens through which we can all better understand the importance of human connection. And how essential, as well as ultimately rewarding, it can be to keep going and never give up.

© John Davidson 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

 Brain & Nervous System Medical People with Disabilities Physical Illness & Disease Professionals & Academics Heartfelt Inspiring Funny
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Critic reviews

Brave, shocking, funny and moving, I SWEAR opens our eyes to the reality of living with a complex condition. This is a really important book. (Rachel Joyce, author of The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry and The Homemade God)
Most books have one plot twist, one villain and a happy ending, but this one has generous helpings of each ... Beyond its inevitable shock factor, this skilfully told tale deserves praise for how it lets us non-sweary people see inside the ordinary, albeit anxious, mind of someone with Tourette syndrome, (Ceci Browning)
An astonishing tale about an amazing man. If this book were given out to schools it would triple the empathy levels for Tourette's. (Jojo Moyes)
This superb book is an engaging and fascinating account of what it's like to live with Tourette's.
All stars
Most relevant
Absolutely love this more than the film, wish it was read by John himself. So courageously done, thanks for sharing your story.

Just beautiful

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John's telling of growing up in the Borders of Scotland and struggling with Tourette's Syndrome, a condition at the time with next to zero understanding in both the medical world as well as in the community, does a fantastic job at explaining why Tourette's Syndrome is just as much of a social disability as it is a neurological one.

He goes through from a young age detailing what life was like prior to developing tics, to the exposure of scathing ridicule from peers and teachers who choose not to care when observing his tics, which can leave the reader appalled and even crying. Yet his story of adjusting to life after school gives hope to anyone who feels detached or bruised from their own experiences, and as a result leaves one punching the air when he succeeds.

John's efforts over the years to spread not only awareness but acceptance of Tourette's Syndrome is nothing short of trailblazing. There are countless numbers of people living with the condition, their family and friends who have benefited from his work - this is not fully explained in this book to people who may not know much about him prior to reading, but I make no exaggeration to this importance - and his MBE supports this.

The book does an excellent job of explaining the harsh reality of living with a condition, often seen as 'the funniest medical condition there is' and why it is often so far from from the truth. For that reason, it's definitely worth reading or listening to.

A great autobiography of disability trailblazer

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This is superb! I came to the book in the strength of the film trailers and the recent BAFTAS incident. I was aware of the syndrome but not a lot around the peripheral.
This is a stunning account of what it’s like having this uncontrollable affliction.
Brilliantly read, and the emotion comes across in the text and delivery.
Some funny moments and also some real heartache moments.
Journalism today seems sloppy and I think any journalist that could be bothered to read the book would have been able to report fairly and accurately on the issues John faced and continues to face. This would have led people to understand more the incident at the awards.
A brilliant account and this would be an excellent choice for School Curriculums.

Most Choose To Swear! Others Cannot Choose!

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Brilliant book, great insight into johns life and the trials and tribulations he’s had to endure throughout. Great Ambasador for Tourette’s .

Educational and very informing

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I laughed and cried all the way through this. Absolutely outstanding. I heard it just as if it was John talking

Compassionate and emotional

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