Greenlights
[{'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Amazing book, clever and funny. Not your typical memoir, by design. As a huge fan, I enjoyed it very much. Also just got the audiobook because he narrates it and I wanna give it another round listening to him. If you like him, you’re sure to love it.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Already received and enjoying it immensely. Beautifully written with candor, humor and reflective insight. A great read.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Excellent book !! Matthew is far more complex than I ever realized. “ Y’all quit bitching about the dust jacket “ seriously cmon y’all'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-4 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Greenlights is a remarkable first book from an already renowned artist. Kind of a mashup of Anthony Bourdain with Ernest Hemingway, McConaughey tells stories with the aplomb of accomplished raconteur. Part memoir, part life guide and part ethic Greenlights is worth reading for many beyond McConaughey’s fan base; basically anyone who likes a good man’s man adventure story.\n\nBorn into the lower middle class in East Texas, McConaughey looks back nostalgically at a childhood few would envy. His parents divorced and remarried each other twice, he was subject to corporal punishment and money was always an issue. Yet he doesn’t complain about disadvantage. In fact he honors his parents despite their shortcomings. He adheres to a philosophy of choosing to recalibrate what seems like the inevitable until it turns into a green light or way forward in life.\n\nAfter a rite of passage involving brawling with a barroom bouncer, McConaughey pursued acting with the drive and hard work ethic that was instilled into him. Finding early success, he choose to live in a way directly opposite to the Hollywood scene. Traveling the country with his dog, going off on expeditions to the middle of Africa and South America, McConaughey sees livin (drop the g to indicate it’s always a verb) as more than just the material success and creature comforts many of us settle on.\n\nFinally, after years of womanizing, McConaughey settled into a successful monogamous relationship and fulfilled his life long ambition of being a father. Nearly simultaneously he chose to walk away from lucrative rom-coms to focus on something more artistic. Initially successful in winning an Oscar for the Dallas Buyers Club, McConaughey admits that he hasn’t achieved the popular success he envisioned. But that is all grist for the mill, experiments in livin that are ongoing.\n\nIf this is the kind of man you would like to read about, Greenlights will be an enjoyable and inspirational read. It’s rare that a successful actor has such a distinctive off air personality. But if you’re turned off by physical conflict, wild adventures and a man who brags about rarely showering alone than Greenlights is not for you.\n\nPersonally, while not finding all parts of McConaughey’s biography admirable, I found enough of him to be so different than what Hollywood typically churns out that the book was worth reading. Recommended to all who feel they’re similarly traveling in unmapped regions and want to gather around the campfire to hear a fellow wanderer’s tales.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': 'I knew I needed to read this memoir. Didn’t know why though? But I think I do now. Just finished it. I didn’t grow up with a mentor. A baby needs it’s mother. A boy needs his father. I don’t blame my own for not being there. He was later in life... and that counts for a hell of a lot. Never felt comfortable around men growing up. Didn’t feel a part of the club. Had an incredibly strong mother though. She filled both roles best she could. Did a damn fine job considering. I found myself attaching to characters in films. Actors. They were the only teachers I could learn from that didn’t ask questions at the end of the lesson. I could be a silent student of how a man should conduct himself. I probably built my entire structure of self from a collage of characters in films circa 1983-2003. Of course I had NO IDEA who I was until I was 35. And let me tell you.... I didn’t like the guy that I “thought” I was. I was all the darkness and brood of all of my favorite lost, troubled characters with tiny remnants of light shining through the more redeeming, shiny honorable ones. Of course it would only make sense that I would need another actors book to lead me to the next ascension of my “manhood”. He made it basic with his approach. I’m going to tell you this story. You’re going to read along. You’re either going to connect the dots and apply... or simply turn the page and move on. I realized that I seriously lack the hard work and conviction to truly climb my mountaintop. Let me tell you... I have some high peaks set for myself. With absolutely NO climbing experience. Want to soar through the clouds like a hawk but I’m scared of heights. Of course I’ve learned a few tricks along the way. I’ve lived a damn fine life by some standards. A calamitous train wreck by others. Earned my scars. Tattooed my place like only a beating chest man can. But deep down inside I still feel like a boy. A boy in a rudderless sailboat. Seasick. Vertigoed. Virgo-ed. (See what I did there;) Back to the book. I read of a man that I had little interest in. Matthew McConaughey. Always seemed abit too cleancut for me. A bit too All-American. The quarterback. The outdoorsey, fisherman. Cool southern drawl with a laissez faire attitude. Crossbred with a stoned surfer So-Cal vibe. Nah, not for me. I like my actors to be a little rougher around the edges. Razor edges at that. Near death even. *im working on changing that appeal* But his work in True Detective especially perked my ears and eyes. Maybe there’s something more to this Hollywood cowboy. Speaking of Hollywood~ I lived there for 9 years and 8 months. I’m proud of that. Not so proud of my lack of productivity whilst living there but that’s another story for another time. Anyhow, the reason I write this is that I can’t say enough about “Greenlights”. I laughed, I cried, I thought a lot about my life and how it went all wrong. I mean... i don’t want anyone else’s life. I want my own. I just want to taste the sweet, cold mountain air of that damned peak I wish to summit. I just don’t have the tools yet. But I’m acquiring them. This year has been hell for many. But it’s been healing for me. I’ve let go of some serious flaws. Really worked on letting go of that boyish mindset. (While keeping some of the fun parts;) I guess the main truth that I took away from the read was that I have to be MY OWN HERO. The lead of MY MOVIE. Rooting for ME to conquer the mountain. Stop being a silent observer. Waiting for the perfect time. The time is NOW. J K LIVIN. Maybe for those of you that need the same thing in your lives.... That nudge in the right direction. This book can help put things into perspective. It’s written by a man who wants to help his fellow man. Yes, a man that’s lived an extraordinary life. But his story didn’t start out extraordinary. He MADE IT extraordinary. With a little help from some friends~ greenlights *one word*'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': 'All races matter. We’ve all experienced discrimination. But, this statement takes the cake. Wow!\n“All lives can’t matter until Black Lives Matter more” What? Does this make you feel better. This statement was written at the end of the book. I would not have proceeded any further had it been at the beginning.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Disjointed thoughts. Pointless. I don’t get it. Rambling. Ridiculous waste of time. I can’t find 8 more words to describe this nonsense. Just disappointed'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-1 review-rating', 'review_body': 'Question! Why is the dust cover at least an inch shorter than the book . Looks weird. Since it’s for a gift I’m concerned. And it’s a bit curled up at the edge.'}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-2 review-rating', 'review_body': "The writing is entertaining, but the message is disturbing. Written by an abused, resilient, survivor who credits his abusers with his success. A better name would have been gaslight, because that's what he's done to himself to justify the horrors of his life. I'm sorry for the pain he went through, but this is not a playbook that anyone ought to follow."}, {'review_meta': 'Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2020', 'review_star': 'a-icon a-icon-star a-star-5 review-rating', 'review_body': "This book is one thing without a doubt: Genuine.\n\nMatthew McConaughey has lived an incredible life, and within this book he shares both the low points and high points of his life so far. This includes vulnerable journal entries he's written over the course of his lifetime. They were never meant to be immaculate revelations that were polished or edited. They are raw for a reason. Those journal entries are proof that this man has the courage to piece together a larger puzzle, to ponder his existence and self reflect on his actions. It's cathartic, it's something we should all do. Throughout the book Matthew is proud he didn't take on the role of victim despite certain misfortunes out of his control. He's mature enough to recognize he has his advantages, such as natural good looks and god given charisma. Throughout his life he's taken real risks and he shares those with the reader. To me if you view Matthew's earnest revelations, and willingness to share his personal journal entries as anything other than commendable you have a screw loose. Learn to love others for being bold and different.\n\nTo anybody bashing this book relentlessly I ask the following: Have you traveled the world and experienced other peoples cultures (Matthew did before fame)? Have you ever taken a risk where you face total humiliation or certain glory? Have you ever dedicated your life to a craft with every ounce of your being on a daily basis despite the fear of failure? Did you eventually find success? Have you reflected again and again on why exactly you acted that way at the time only to admit you were wrong and needed to grow up? Are you striving to continuously better yourself on a mental, physical and spiritual level even though we're all headed toward a certain death? Matthew McConaughey is a commendable man and inspiration. Open your mind and heart. Go live a genuine life! You might only get one!!"}]