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maythetree's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Unlikeable narrator does unlikeable things - side characters come and go with unexplained presence and irrelevance. Some good thoughts and insights into how acting relates and connects with our humanity and how we can live our lives better. Some very different perspectives that can only come from someone in this industry which makes up the majority of the value of this book. A different view at a mid-life crisis.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse
jyaremchuk's review against another edition
4.0
ok - hated the autobiographical protagonist/anti-hero, but he also hated himself and played the "bad guy" in a Shakespeare production. It was meant to be.... Also hated the treatment of women/female characters, and the children were unbelievable, but again.... Excellent writing and marvelous depiction of what it means to be an actor, on and off the stage.
brinysea's review against another edition
4.0
I didn’t feel much for the protagonist, but there’s some real fine writing here. Loved the prayers to St. Christopher.
cheyannenx's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
didn’t know ethan hawke was an author as well until i saw this in the library. it was interesting to say the least and definitely had to be somewhat semi-autobiographical as i thought a few themes in the book tied in with his own personal life. the book is a bit drawn out at stages but there are some funny moments that make up for it. overall a decent book
yasy_yasy16's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Reading this book felt really special. I enjoyed the writing of this book way more than I thought I would; I look forward to reading more of Ethan Hawke’s writing.
mbowenn's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
megs_bok's review against another edition
4.5
one of the most entertaining audiobook performances I’ve ever experienced!
amy_heferen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
olivia_lauren_reads's review against another edition
2.0
Was expecting more out of this novel. I’m assuming this is semi-autobiographical? Main character cheats on his famous wife when they have two small children. He then suffers the consequences in the public’s eye, rightly so.
The sex scenes were male chauvinist cliché drivel that seem to be written by a high schooler. All the women characters were just bodies and their only dimension was wanting to have sex with the main character, married or not, they were willing. If I read one more line about a woman’s “giant heaving breasts”, I may have thrown the book in the bonfire.
Also, I think Hawke must not have interacted with his children much because 3 and 5 year old children do NOT have the prolific conversations that they had with their Dad in this book.
A BIG “don’t waste your time or money” from me. However, if I could have ripped every tasteless sex scene from this book and kept the rest, my review maybe would go up by another star.
The sex scenes were male chauvinist cliché drivel that seem to be written by a high schooler. All the women characters were just bodies and their only dimension was wanting to have sex with the main character, married or not, they were willing. If I read one more line about a woman’s “giant heaving breasts”, I may have thrown the book in the bonfire.
Also, I think Hawke must not have interacted with his children much because 3 and 5 year old children do NOT have the prolific conversations that they had with their Dad in this book.
A BIG “don’t waste your time or money” from me. However, if I could have ripped every tasteless sex scene from this book and kept the rest, my review maybe would go up by another star.