Greenlights
Ratings179
Average rating4.2
What a great storyteller. Some great insights and wild stories. There are a lot of things he says that feel very privileged and noncommittal, but I'm down with the philosophy for the most part. If you like audio books, this is a good one - narrated by McConaughey of course.
This works really well as an audiobook. McConaughey will shout, use Australian accents (actually quite well - I'm impressed) and at times it felt almost poetic.
At 6 hours in length, I think this would be way too short (and all over the place) to read as a conventional novel and I would probably dock it a star or two if I did.
Строго для фанатов актера. Я вот люблю с ним фильмы смотреть, но биография его мне до фени. В этой же книги биография очень подробная. Интересно будет тем, кто фанатеет от ММ и тем, кого интересует жизнь и ценности белого американца из Техаса. Мне вот не очень интересно как у них там принято ссать выше роста, например. Так что, я не осилил, но честно читал часа два, так что даже, если дальше и лучше мы это не узнаем. Бестселлер в России.
А называется так, потому что — как вижу — хотел Макконахи написать автобиографию, потому что дневник ведет с 12 лет, но издатели сказали: это круто, но чтобы мы могли продать в 5 раз больше, давай там будет какая-то тема задвинута, как в книге «Секрет». Чтобы не просто факты жизни, а про преодоление и стремление и видение. Ты же не Стив Джобс, чтобы просто биография была.
Вот он стал меня лечить зеленым светом. Наверное, кому-то это поможет, но мне не подходит.
Like a good southern boy should, I'll start with my mom. She's a true baller, living proof that the value of denial depends on one's level of commitment to it.
I've always preached audiobooks for biographies but Mathew's storytelling is on another level, get the audiobook!
A great book about self and identity and the storytelling is honest, crude, and just out there.
What I liked:
The chronological order, word choice, and the story telling. You'd think that someone from his background would be preaching hard truths with conviction, but he's just sharing his experiences.
Who should read it?
Literally anyone, especially people struggling with their identity and purpose.
1-line summary:
“Just keep living”
This was not what I expected and I absolutely loved it. We don't often get an honest glimpse into an actor's life so this was refreshing, chaotic, fun and engaging. This man has definitely had some crazy times but he also knew how to spend that time and make the most of life. After reading this, I have much more love for Matthew McConaughey and can only wonder what further adventures he will embark upon.
Random thoughts as I literally just finished listening to “Greenlights,” but need to continue on with my day:1) Outside of watching a few of his movies, Matthew McConaughey has never been on my radar, so I hadn't been compelled to read his memoir when it was published in 2020. 2) A friend (who is uninterested in self-development and spirituality) told me to read this book two years ago. She said I'd love it. I tucked away the suggestion and only recently decided to borrow it from the library because I caught a bit of his “Art of Living” YouTube presentation. (I think that's what it was called.)3) Normally I need to speed up the narrators, but I had to slow Matthew down. 4) He made me laugh so hard too many times to count, and half the time it wasn't even what he was saying, it was in his enthusiasm saying it. (Which is what I initially discovered when watching his YouTube presentation.)5) I have never heard someone talk about wet dreams as much as he did—even in books about puberty. Lol. 6) The physical book is incredibly interesting to look at—it's wonderfully creative. I'd like to get a copy, take off the sleeve with his face on it (my apologies, Matt) in order to showcase the cool green lights, and display it on my coffee table. However, I want it in good condition and for at least 40% off. Hello, new book hunt! 7) “We don't live longer when we try not to die. We live longer when we're too busy living.” Yes!8) Matthew is a fascinating person. I know myself enough to understand that if I don't write anything down now, I likely will never write anything down. There are too many books calling for me to open them, and my willpower is weak. It's difficult for me to choose writing over reading.
9) My Goodreads friend (I wish we could tag each other) Jennifer Welsh included these sentences in her outstanding review: “At first, this struck me as more of a fun, autobiographical stand-up routine than a memoir. Yet I Wondered if he was aware of how abusive his parents seemed as he told his crazy stories and declared how much love was in their household.”
I thought the same thing. I am endlessly amazed how people are unable to (or refuse to) recognize abusive family dynamics, and often justify it. It is mind boggling.
