Scan barcode
lorenadraghici's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
zachnachazel's review against another edition
5.0
Audio Book read by Jeff Daniels and others.
This book was so fascinating to me. Every book graphs has a story to tell. The author wanting to portray a person in a specific light or the autobiographer wanting to portray their own image of themselves. I don’t think I’ve ever read a memoir edited by someone who chronologically pieces together audio recordings from someone’s life.
What I really got from this book is an overwhelming sense that Paul Newman really was just a person. Not some organism greater than the rest of us. He just happened into the spotlight and desperately wanted to continue doing why he enjoyed while maintaining that human part of himself.
I wish there had been more depth to some parts of his story, but I also think that would have taken away from the true portrayal of who he was.
This book was so fascinating to me. Every book graphs has a story to tell. The author wanting to portray a person in a specific light or the autobiographer wanting to portray their own image of themselves. I don’t think I’ve ever read a memoir edited by someone who chronologically pieces together audio recordings from someone’s life.
What I really got from this book is an overwhelming sense that Paul Newman really was just a person. Not some organism greater than the rest of us. He just happened into the spotlight and desperately wanted to continue doing why he enjoyed while maintaining that human part of himself.
I wish there had been more depth to some parts of his story, but I also think that would have taken away from the true portrayal of who he was.
aprilsbookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
Paul Newman like most everyone definitely had imposter syndrome and constantly second guessed why people would like him to his own detriment. Fans all over the world, myself included, fell in love with his baby blues and good looks and that seemed to haunt him in a way that he never thought he was good enough for the attention he received and he was always pushing the envelope in his personal life because of it. Although his upbringing also set him up to be more critical of what his purpose was; his mom treating him like a prop and the hot and cold nature of his relationship with his family. I enjoyed hearing the raw insight to how Paul felt about himself and it made him seem more human and real versus an untouchable movie star.
suebrownreads's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting, and complicated person. Just like most people I suppose. I love that they interjected lots of words/reminiscences from family, friends, co-workers. I believe it helped to see how other people saw him. At times, he just seemed too hard on himself, but at other times, maybe you could understand why he should have been hard on himself. By the end you really appreciate the person he became in later years.
Also, I love Jeff Daniels as a reader!!!!
Also, I love Jeff Daniels as a reader!!!!
watsonle2011's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This book was fantastic! The entire time I was reading it I thought what a blessing this project must be to his family. I wish I had something like this from my grandparents and I’m sure one day I’ll wish I had it from my parents. It’s refreshingly honest and much more than just a statement of facts. He lays out his insecurities in a way that’s endearing. I was a huge fan of Paul Newman’s films before I read this book now I am a huge fan of him as a person.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
marialouise1's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
If I wasn’t a massive Paul Newman fan, I would have probably given this book a 3⭐️. However, I am fascinated by the man and after watching Ethan Hawke’s documentary on the interview tapes (The Last Movie Stars), I was really excited to read the book. Although I think the documentary is more well-rounded and features the opinions of his children much more heavily, the book was a fascinating and sweeping journey through Paul’s life. The chapter on alcohol was particularly poignant, although could have been expanded more to explore how it affected those around him. You get a sense of how he felt he lacked control throughout his life and career but the last chapter does a beautiful job of offering some resolve to these feelings. Well worth the read!