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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
If I could give this book more stars I would! Such a beautful, Honest, brutal and brilliant book. A brill artist with a journey that he shared so clearly and honestly. And relatable on many levels.
The first half is (for a lack of a better phrase) fantastic. A brilliant in-depth examination of masculinity and Ecclestone's relationship with his late father.
Second half is a bit slug with all the roles the author has done. But if you love touching tales and coming to terms with mental health and toxic masculinity, well worth it.
Second half is a bit slug with all the roles the author has done. But if you love touching tales and coming to terms with mental health and toxic masculinity, well worth it.
Absolutely adored this book. Being a fan of Christopher for most of my life, I was eager to read this and I’m so glad I didn’t waste any more time. He takes us through the incredibly hard times of his life, of which many people would never disclose, and it made me admire him even more. Of course, reading about someone who has always been so private shows his flaws, but it made him seem much more human than someone we watch on TV.
What his family went through with his father is something I’m sure a large number of people can relate to. Reading it made it much more emotional and it was strangely beautiful.
Also, being from around the corner from where Christopher is from made it hit home even more - quite literally. I could picture the places mentioned, picture more vividly what he was telling us readers.
The only other thing I have to say is that I did struggle sometimes because it felt a bit jumpy. It wasn’t told 100% in chronological order, but I think that’s more of a personal preference as I sometimes struggle to get my head around when things are taking place when stories are told this way.
What his family went through with his father is something I’m sure a large number of people can relate to. Reading it made it much more emotional and it was strangely beautiful.
Also, being from around the corner from where Christopher is from made it hit home even more - quite literally. I could picture the places mentioned, picture more vividly what he was telling us readers.
The only other thing I have to say is that I did struggle sometimes because it felt a bit jumpy. It wasn’t told 100% in chronological order, but I think that’s more of a personal preference as I sometimes struggle to get my head around when things are taking place when stories are told this way.
Class, mental health, acting, reading, learning, family, emotions, and most of all, this book is about love.
4.5
What struck me most about this book is his honesty. He's not a perfect actor, he's made mistakes personally and professionally and he owns that. His accounts of his own mental health and his father's descent with dementia and truly heartbreaking and unfiltered. I love that while he does talk about his acting career, his main focus, the true heart of this book is his family, his father.
What struck me most about this book is his honesty. He's not a perfect actor, he's made mistakes personally and professionally and he owns that. His accounts of his own mental health and his father's descent with dementia and truly heartbreaking and unfiltered. I love that while he does talk about his acting career, his main focus, the true heart of this book is his family, his father.
I knew the actor was in pain. I could feel it. and although he was not my favourite doctor having only taken his place for one season, he was always the one closer to my heart. And now I know why. similar mental health and body issues and now, divorce, and not seeing your kids everyday. 'I love the bones of you, Chris'.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
An essential read for anyone who struggles with their mental health. At times he hammers on about a point past necessity, but Eccleston's energy and presence shine through every chapter. You can feel the passion with which he wrote it, and how much he cares about showing his father, his family, and himself in an honest and real light.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Dementia
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
I enjoyed large parts of this book. Christopher Ecclestone's presence, which he mentions in these pages, also suffuses them. The autobiography strengthened my grasp of the many divides in British society, though it's not a deep analysis of these.
However, there is an underlying issue of this book that characterises the author and makes sense in the context of his body dysmorphia and impostor syndrome: Eccleston hides in these pages. About half of this book is more about his father than about himself. And while he talks openly about very personal struggles in the other half, it seems to me he's only partially made sense of these, as if he doesn't want to go beyond one single causal factor that points away from himself as individual. Doesn't want to look at himself. Instead, Eccleston explains EVERYTHING in his life with his working class background. That is his explanation for his father's struggles, the interpersonal issues between his father and himself, his feeling out of place in so many situations, why he is so outspoken about issues etc. I don't doubt that growing up in a working class environment has shaped him - but there is more to his personality than that.
However, there is an underlying issue of this book that characterises the author and makes sense in the context of his body dysmorphia and impostor syndrome: Eccleston hides in these pages. About half of this book is more about his father than about himself. And while he talks openly about very personal struggles in the other half, it seems to me he's only partially made sense of these, as if he doesn't want to go beyond one single causal factor that points away from himself as individual. Doesn't want to look at himself. Instead, Eccleston explains EVERYTHING in his life with his working class background. That is his explanation for his father's struggles, the interpersonal issues between his father and himself, his feeling out of place in so many situations, why he is so outspoken about issues etc. I don't doubt that growing up in a working class environment has shaped him - but there is more to his personality than that.
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Very much enjoyed this open-eyed memoir in which Christopher Eccleston looks at why he is how he is, his relationship with his parents (a relationship both loving and formative, but at times combative), and also his career. It's very much about how mental health intertwines with our careers and relationships, but there are some actor-y tidbits as well — both craft and behind-the-scenes. He doesn't get into many of the specifics, but he is quick to point out that when he doesn't like someone while working with them, he can still praise their work. He is laying out a case for why he might have a reputation for being "prickly" as it relates to his sense of justice, but he also acknowledges the times he hadn't the emotional health to know the right thing to do, while still affording a degree of privacy for the people involved.
On a side note, it's good to find out that an actor whose work I enjoy seems like a decent guy.
On a side note, it's good to find out that an actor whose work I enjoy seems like a decent guy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Emotional abuse