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A review by jenbsbooks
Being Henry: The Fonz . . . and Beyond by Henry Winkler
3.25
I liked this ... I really had no trouble finishing it (listening to the audio) and enjoyed learning a little more about Mr. Winkler. Happy Days was a little before my time, but I have vague memories of it, maybe catching some re-runs once it was in syndication? I had caught Henry in Arrested Development, and in Barry. I also think I have a Hank Zipzer book in our home library (I have five boys, reluctant readers ... I don't think we ever got to the book though).
I was able to grab the audio and the kindle copy from my library - I went with the audio. Never really needed to turn to the kindle (I like to have it for reference if I get a little lost, or to make notes/highlights). One thing I noticed, as that Henry drops his "H"s at the beginning of words. I'm now wondering if it did that in the shows he was in too? I found it very noticeable 'ere.
As with most memoirs/autobiographies, this was first person, past tense. He starts off his story in 1973 at his audition for "The Fonz" ... he then shifts back to younger years. While overall, staying somewhat chronological, he'd also stop and recount memories from childhood, give some family history. There was a shift to present tense. Little sections, in Kindle, broken up by ****** as he'd jump from various topics. 12 chapters, no headings, although they did indicate some "section" topics.
I like people's life stories. It was interesting to hear his acting training, leaving NY for Hollywood, going on auditions, getting Happy Days. I had heard "jump the shark" and knew it was tied to that episode. Knowing some of his later work, I was waiting to hear how those happened. He never mentioned getting his "star" ... I thought that would have made it into a life story.
There was some proFanity (x14) and some talk of sex, nothing explicit.
There were some sections featuring his wife - and she wrote them (her POV) for the book, and narrated them in audio.
One's memories are always a bit subjective ... while he tries to be fair, the parents come off badly, as do a few others he mentions by name. There are others he specifically does NOT mention ... seeming to allow them anonymity, while not caring as much for some who had died, who he REALLY didn't like. HE comes off quite well, almost TOO perfect in some instances. He does seem like a likeable guy.
I was able to grab the audio and the kindle copy from my library - I went with the audio. Never really needed to turn to the kindle (I like to have it for reference if I get a little lost, or to make notes/highlights). One thing I noticed, as that Henry drops his "H"s at the beginning of words. I'm now wondering if it did that in the shows he was in too? I found it very noticeable 'ere.
As with most memoirs/autobiographies, this was first person, past tense. He starts off his story in 1973 at his audition for "The Fonz" ... he then shifts back to younger years. While overall, staying somewhat chronological, he'd also stop and recount memories from childhood, give some family history. There was a shift to present tense. Little sections, in Kindle, broken up by ****** as he'd jump from various topics. 12 chapters, no headings, although they did indicate some "section" topics.
I like people's life stories. It was interesting to hear his acting training, leaving NY for Hollywood, going on auditions, getting Happy Days. I had heard "jump the shark" and knew it was tied to that episode. Knowing some of his later work, I was waiting to hear how those happened. He never mentioned getting his "star" ... I thought that would have made it into a life story.
There was some proFanity (x14) and some talk of sex, nothing explicit.
There were some sections featuring his wife - and she wrote them (her POV) for the book, and narrated them in audio.
One's memories are always a bit subjective ... while he tries to be fair, the parents come off badly, as do a few others he mentions by name. There are others he specifically does NOT mention ... seeming to allow them anonymity, while not caring as much for some who had died, who he REALLY didn't like. HE comes off quite well, almost TOO perfect in some instances. He does seem like a likeable guy.