Last thing I knew about myself was that I would enjoy Mathew McConaughey’s Greenlights – a gross, manly, “boys will be boys” kinda account! But this is not the only surprise this book held for me! I walked into this book knowing almost nothing about Mr. McConaughey except that I remembered him from Time to Kill (not because I liked him but because I love Grisham), and few romcoms (because there wasn’t anything better to choose at the time). I have heard my boys raving about Gentlemen but I haven’t watched it yet. So, to who do I owe the pleasure of introducing me to this book? That would be my dear husband (who kept on talking about the book) and Audible (did not have enough credits available at that time to download new book – so, you know might as well!). I reluctantly started the book and …it turned out to be an extremely enjoyable and serendipitous experience! McConaughey morphs from a typical movie star, with a flat personality (at least to me) to a dynamic, adventurous, tough, erudite and a literary person in his autobiography!
First things first- the extent of humor is a very personal thing! What amuses someone can blush another and offend a third. If salty humor, rude vocabulary, and blunt words don’t sit well with you (they don’t with me), you might want to ignore these while reading or listening to the book (that’s what I did) because behind all expletives and gross humor is a genuine human being with great integrity!
Secondly, it’s not a typical celebrity memoir of a star climbing the opulent Hollywood ladder. The essential thought behind the book is very graceful and gentlemanly (yes even with all the frank language) – you will not find juicy stories or stardom gossip here. Mathew is not out to prove anyone else wrong or bring anyone down nor did he try to prove or up himself. He opened up about his own life, not others’.
McConaughey sums up his 50 years in this book, recounting his childhood, family (and who does not have a crazy family?), schooling, struggle – his love, success, share of failures and how he dealt with them. He imbues (enriches) the stories with humor, but the evidence of honesty and dignity clearly peeks through all of them. The book is punctuated with preambles and conclusions, which he calls “Bumper stickers, Greenlights, prescriptions, Notes to Self, Poems…” – his casual way of imparting words of wisdom and profound understanding of life. It’s a modest chronicle of his personal adventures, misadventures (granted with added spice, which just gives an insight into his creative and witty side). I found his memoir moving, touchy, humorous, serious, and inspiring. He acquainted himself with the reader in a blunt and raw way but provided so much food for thought. His life story brought out lots of dimensions of his personality- positive, bold, exciting, artistic, and very intelligent.
What’s brilliant about this book is the quality of a flowing story which keeps one engaged throughout – not only because of the way it’s told but also because it has a bold, unguarded and open characteristic to it. Matthews comfort with his life events, situation and fate is obvious in the story-telling. He does not hesitate to bring himself down (not at the account of anyone else! which is so admirable). He feels comfortable with his (sustainablity of his emotions) very secure and confident, bold and brazen. He
This fun, short and brilliant memoir receives a solid 5/5 from me. Matthew is not only a great author (no ghost writer involved, I am told), he is also a brilliant storyteller, delivering the story in the charming southern vernacular, making 6 hours and 42 minutes a true auditory delight! It’s the only book that I listened without tampering with the speed on Audible. I ordered the physical copy to enjoy hand-written journals and pictures. Whether you read it or listen to it, the book will remain in your memory! For me, this will always be part of my audible and physical library and for sure one I will get back to over and over again!
The book is full of beautiful quotes~
“Travel and humanity have been my greatest educators. They have helped me understand the common denominator of mankind. Values.”
Some of the quotes I loved from his books are:
“Life is our resume. It is our story to tell, and the choices we make write the chapters. Can we live in a way where we look forward to looking back?”
“It is not about win or lose, it is about do you accept the challenge,”
“The sooner we become less impressed with our life, our accomplishments, our career, our relationships, the prospects in front of us—the sooner we become less impressed and more involved with these things—the sooner we get better at them. We must be more than just happy to be here.”
“We cannot fully appreciate the light without the shadows.”
I have heard good things about Will by Will Smith.
What am I currently reading? Hell of a Book (for a book club)
Vanity Fair (you will see this on my list for a long time!) for my own pleasure of a classic literature dose.
What is possibly next on the list: Free Food for Millionaire
Are you on instagram? Here is my #bookstagram!
