simplymegy 's review for:

My Next Breath: A Memoir by Jeremy Renner

3.0

inspiring medium-paced

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I actually admire Jeremy Renner as an actor, and always thought of him as an absolute legend each time he portrayed a character.

I still admire him. But after this book, I’m equal parts amazed and annoyed. 

Let’s start with the amazing bit. 

I’m amazed because of what he’d overcome and how his mindset works. From what I’ve read, I can see how much he valued his family and how loving he is as a father. He essentially suffers the most horrific life threatening injuries you can imagine, and instead of breaking him, it propelled him to become more “soft”, and less caring about trivial things. 

He shares a lot of inspiring wisdom such as talking to his broken leg as if it were his friend, encouraging it. He shares about breathing, of the mind-body connection, etc. Nothing you haven’t heard before, but inspiring nonetheless.

But not gonna lie, I’m annoyed because he sometimes comes off as egotistical and preachy.

He repeatedly goes on about how he “literally died on the ice”. I’m not belittling his injuries by any means, but if you’re going to go on about a resurrection over and over, you have to make sure it’s accurate. Jeremy, in fact, goes into bradycardia at 18 bpm. Yes he was in shock and yes he nearly dies. But officially, he never flatlines and never had to be resuscitated. So no, Jeremy, you didn’t die.

He also seems like a very annoying patient. To his credit, at least he admits he’s the worst patient ever (he probably is).

It’s a lot of ramblings on positivity and how amazing he is to be able to just “get on with life”- dude, you literally have millions of dollars at your disposal for meds, physio, medical equipment, the whole 9 yards as they say in America. Of course you can get on with anything. At some point his voice becomes annoying to listen to, but maybe that’s just me.

Overall, an inspiring story, but not the best memoir.