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nanceoir's review against another edition
5.0
Not always an easy read -- there is a lot of dark and terrible things in Straczynski's life -- but an absolutely compelling read. I did not want to put this down. (These original reading dates say it took me almost a month; in reality, it was more like two or three days, just separated by several weeks of classwork.)
I personally became aware of Straczynski because of Babylon 5, which is obviously discussed, but not particularly in-depth. I suspect this is because he covered it all quite thoroughly in his 15-volume scripts collection. So if you're looking to find out all the nuances of making that show, you won't find that in Becoming Superman. What you will find is the source of that show's belief in the power of individuals to change themselves and the world around them and the sense of hope in the future.
I personally became aware of Straczynski because of Babylon 5, which is obviously discussed, but not particularly in-depth. I suspect this is because he covered it all quite thoroughly in his 15-volume scripts collection. So if you're looking to find out all the nuances of making that show, you won't find that in Becoming Superman. What you will find is the source of that show's belief in the power of individuals to change themselves and the world around them and the sense of hope in the future.
reneeguill's review against another edition
5.0
I originally got the review book, Becoming Superman by J. Michael Straczysnki, but thanks to eyesight issues I took forever to read it. Then the library had received the audiobook version of it, so I was able to check it out. I am so glad I did.
Peter Jurrasik was the narrator, he was a perfect choice. I admit that in the beginning, I kept picturing Londo Mollari(Babylon 5) reading it, but after a while, I almost thought it was Mr. Straczysnki reading it, that is how good Mr. Jurrasik was. Even when he read parts that were about him.
I admit I was a bit bummed that he did not name it the Great Maker, but after I was finished I realized that Becoming Superman was the best title. I have read a lot of biographies, lately and I tell you this is my favorite one, it actually reads like a story, with a hint of mystery to it. I love mysteries. This one did not disappoint. I liked that on the cover it told some of the things the book talks about, cause I tell you, from experience, some of those are trigger warnings. And if you are a sentimentalist like me, you will definitely want kleenex. Mr. Straczysnki also shared a lot of writing tips and how the entertainment business worked. I doubt you could learn this stuff in a classroom. So, if you are a writer or are like me who wants to be a writer, these tips will be priceless to you. The ending was so, it had so much hope and inspiration and motivation. I actually worked on my story outline when I was done.
I loved listening to the audiobook, but I am glad I have a real copy, you can not see the lovely photos of him in the audiobook. Plus, if I am lucky, maybe someday I can get an autograph.
Thank you Mr. Stracyznski, I have waited many years to hear your story, and I am so happy you were finally able to share it with us, it was definitely worth the wait.
Peter Jurrasik was the narrator, he was a perfect choice. I admit that in the beginning, I kept picturing Londo Mollari(Babylon 5) reading it, but after a while, I almost thought it was Mr. Straczysnki reading it, that is how good Mr. Jurrasik was. Even when he read parts that were about him.
I admit I was a bit bummed that he did not name it the Great Maker, but after I was finished I realized that Becoming Superman was the best title. I have read a lot of biographies, lately and I tell you this is my favorite one, it actually reads like a story, with a hint of mystery to it. I love mysteries. This one did not disappoint. I liked that on the cover it told some of the things the book talks about, cause I tell you, from experience, some of those are trigger warnings. And if you are a sentimentalist like me, you will definitely want kleenex. Mr. Straczysnki also shared a lot of writing tips and how the entertainment business worked. I doubt you could learn this stuff in a classroom. So, if you are a writer or are like me who wants to be a writer, these tips will be priceless to you. The ending was so, it had so much hope and inspiration and motivation. I actually worked on my story outline when I was done.
I loved listening to the audiobook, but I am glad I have a real copy, you can not see the lovely photos of him in the audiobook. Plus, if I am lucky, maybe someday I can get an autograph.
Thank you Mr. Stracyznski, I have waited many years to hear your story, and I am so happy you were finally able to share it with us, it was definitely worth the wait.
catsandbookstacks's review against another edition
You may not recognize J. Michael Straczynski's name off the top of your head, but if you Google it... I'm sure you'll know many of the projects he has worked on (screenwriting, producing, creator).
Straczynski discovered Superman as a child while using comics as a lifeline. From a childhood of horrifying neglect and abuse, to finding connection in a cult, to screenwriting, Hollywood and more, this memoir is utterly captivating!
Becoming Superman reads like a novel - seriously, I never pick up non-fiction in print format and I flew through this. The writing is crisp, humourous and has brilliant pacing. At no point did the memoir come off as preachy, its very much the writer's story and experiences.
Straczynski drops small hints about his family's big secret, which had me chomping at the bit until the reveal near the end.
Please check the content warnings!
Read if you like:
🤫 Family secrets
đź’§ Persistence
đźš« Refusal to surrender
🤝 Loyalty
🍿 Behind the scenes of tv and film
đź’Ą He-Man, Sh-Ra, The Real Ghostbusters, Babylon 5, The Twilight Zone, Sense8
"By taking responsibility for our lives, our mistakes, and our dreams, we break the patterns of the past and free ourselves to fight for the future, for what gives us joy, and for the possibilities of a better future. And with that choice ridiculously beautiful and powerful things begin to happen."
Thank you to my coworker who recommended this, I never would've picked it up on my own! (Mostly because I thought it was actually about Superman and I don't really care for him as a superhero.)
Straczynski discovered Superman as a child while using comics as a lifeline. From a childhood of horrifying neglect and abuse, to finding connection in a cult, to screenwriting, Hollywood and more, this memoir is utterly captivating!
Becoming Superman reads like a novel - seriously, I never pick up non-fiction in print format and I flew through this. The writing is crisp, humourous and has brilliant pacing. At no point did the memoir come off as preachy, its very much the writer's story and experiences.
Straczynski drops small hints about his family's big secret, which had me chomping at the bit until the reveal near the end.
Please check the content warnings!
Read if you like:
🤫 Family secrets
đź’§ Persistence
đźš« Refusal to surrender
🤝 Loyalty
🍿 Behind the scenes of tv and film
đź’Ą He-Man, Sh-Ra, The Real Ghostbusters, Babylon 5, The Twilight Zone, Sense8
"By taking responsibility for our lives, our mistakes, and our dreams, we break the patterns of the past and free ourselves to fight for the future, for what gives us joy, and for the possibilities of a better future. And with that choice ridiculously beautiful and powerful things begin to happen."
Thank you to my coworker who recommended this, I never would've picked it up on my own! (Mostly because I thought it was actually about Superman and I don't really care for him as a superhero.)
kmg365's review against another edition
5.0
When I read an autobiography or biography of a famous person, especially one known for tv or movie projects, I often struggle to maintain interest in the early chapters, which in most cases deal with the subject's life before fame. Further, if the subject of the bio is famous for multiple projects, I'm antsy to get to the part that deals with the project I like the best. I think that's natural. Somewhere out there, there's a guy who read William Shatner's autobiography, and during the chapters about Star Trek thought “Yeah, yeah, but when are we going to get to T.J. Hooker?”
So when I first picked up an audio copy of the book, I thought, gee, I hope I can maintain interest until he gets to Babylon 5.
Holy shit. It held my interest, all right. In a vice grip.
I'm not going to mention any events from Straczynski's life, because it's not my story to tell, and you really, really need to read it yourself, because not only are the events jaw-dropping, the writing is superb.
I will share something from the last chapter. The author talks about the actual odds of the amazing things that have happened to him having happened, and they are staggering. I'm so glad he did that, because I kept noting astounding coincidences as I listened to the book, and he acknowledges how very unlikely it is that all those things happened to a single person. He also gives some great advice. When life knocks you down, get up and keep going. Do that again, and again, and again. All you have to do to win is get up one more time than you are knocked down.
Read it. Or listen. The audio reader, Babylon 5 alumnus Peter Jurasik, does a fantastic job. Even if you've never heard of the author. Even if you've never watched a single second of a science fiction television show, or picked up a comic book. It's about following your bliss, and being a decent human being while you do it.
ufcasey's review against another edition
5.0
My first 5 star read in 2021 - a rating I rarely give out. Also, I must note that all my GR friends who have read this book, have also rated this 5 stars, so take note of this one!
Now you may be wondering, prior to reading this book, was I a big fan of this author's work (he's a writer for movies/tv/comics and more)? No. In fact, I have never watched or read anything of his besides this book. So then why did I pick up this book? Honestly, I am not sure how I came across it at first but all those 5 star ratings from trusted GR friends had me adding it and I am so glad that I did!
So what is this book about? It's about the author's life story and LET ME TELL YOU, IT'S A DOOZY. There's so much dysfunction in his entire family that quite frankly I am surprised he came out a sane person, never mind someone who is successful in an industry that is hard to get into never mind stay in for several decades. His life story does of course veer into all of his work (which again, I have never read/watched), but even that was actually really interesting to me. He's not a name dropper for the sake of name dropping, but I will now not look very kindly towards Angela Lansbury (of "Murder She Wrote" fame) or George R. R. Martin (of "I will never finish Game of Thrones" fame), I'll tell you that much.
I don't want to spoil anything in this book. It's awesome. Please go read it. I also reccomend the audiobook, though the narrator is not Staczynski himself.
Now you may be wondering, prior to reading this book, was I a big fan of this author's work (he's a writer for movies/tv/comics and more)? No. In fact, I have never watched or read anything of his besides this book. So then why did I pick up this book? Honestly, I am not sure how I came across it at first but all those 5 star ratings from trusted GR friends had me adding it and I am so glad that I did!
So what is this book about? It's about the author's life story and LET ME TELL YOU, IT'S A DOOZY. There's so much dysfunction in his entire family that quite frankly I am surprised he came out a sane person, never mind someone who is successful in an industry that is hard to get into never mind stay in for several decades. His life story does of course veer into all of his work (which again, I have never read/watched), but even that was actually really interesting to me. He's not a name dropper for the sake of name dropping, but I will now not look very kindly towards Angela Lansbury (of "Murder She Wrote" fame) or George R. R. Martin (of "I will never finish Game of Thrones" fame), I'll tell you that much.
I don't want to spoil anything in this book. It's awesome. Please go read it. I also reccomend the audiobook, though the narrator is not Staczynski himself.
heather_g's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.75
What an amazing story! The cover says it all, from poverty to amazing! I’m always in shock but violent parents, but this man survived and thrived, determined to be the opposite of his dad and motivated and talented enough to succeed in book, movies, comics and TV. I’m so impressed and he is so honest about himself, just incredibly inspiring.
nathaniel_1206's review against another edition
4.0
Skimmed the last third of it. Very curious about B5 and comics career, but the family history stuff is emotional.
tpietila's review against another edition
5.0
The book is an autobiography by J. Michael Straczynski, the genius behind Babylon 5, one of my favorite TV-series ever. As I haven’t been reading comics, I wasn’t aware of the career he has had on that front, and most of the other parts of his post-Babylon career were pretty unfamiliar to me, too. A major part of the book is taken up by his childhood - and what a childhood he had! Whenever you thought things couldn’t get worse, they always did. But that is what one gets with a narcissistic, alcoholic, and abusive father, a true nazi, who kept a real uniform as a memento of the happy days of killing Jewish people during the Second World War on the eastern front. The mother tried committing suicide several times and was committed for long periods. That didn’t make for a very enjoyable reading; it was pretty interesting though, and it also explained why Michael escaped to imaginary worlds as a child first and an adolescent later. An interesting book, but the proportion between the author's early life and, later, his “famous” life could have benefited from leaning slightly more towards the latter part.