A Bright Ray of Darkness | 
pick3.5/5 🌟
Ending 2023 with this impassioned book centered around an actor navigating a divorce. Truth be told, I picked it up solely because it's Ethan Hawke! While some parts captured my interest, the sections focusing on the Shakespearean play were just passable for me, given my lack of interest in theater or acting. Overall, it's a decent read. The audiobook, narrated by Ethan himself, is fantastic!
Happy New Year, everyone! 🎉🥂
so-soThis book features:
-An utterly despicable, spoiled man-child of a narrator
-Fragile masculinity and misogyny galore
-A 5-year-old child who says that "morning is healing" and describes the weather as "breathtaking"
-Not one female character who ever behaves like an actual human being instead of a pair of sentient breasts
But it also includes the passage outlined above and goddamn if my idealistic, theatre-loving heart didn't cry when I read it.
What inanimate item are we being compared to today, ladies? Key lime pie? Fabulous! 🙄 (I can't believe this is real, and I can't believe I continue to read it.) #MenWritingWomen
so-soA story by the real Hollywood actor and director, of a fictional actor who cheats on his wife and then seeks out drugs, sex, and a powerful performance of Shakespeare‘s Henry IV (as Hotspur) on Broadway to redeem himself. It‘s an average read about a whiny protagonist who blames everyone else for the mess he has created. But the passion for theatre and Shakespeare is evident and added to the story.
#BookReport for August. The Stone Angel and A Bright Ray of Darkness are my top 2 for the month.
pickWilliam, a youngish movie star, is making his Broadway debut as Hotspur in a production of Henry IV Pts 1&2 just as his marriage ends & his private life becomes tabloid fodder. The story follows his journey through rehearsals, previews & the run of the play, while he mourns his marriage & tries to be a good father to his 2 young children. I loved it, especially the stuff about the play & the theatre.👇 #Bookspin
Starting this one tonight.
pickI was pleasantly surprised by how deep this book was. A film actor attempts Shakespeare on Broadway as his marriage implodes and in the end he learns a lot about his own selfish tendencies (or does he?).
It‘s my 3 year #Litsyversary!
Happy anniversary, fellow “Litsy Leo” fam (is that a thing? I‘m making it one.)
pickLove the Shakespeare scenes, hated the main character. Of course, he is supposed to be plummeting. Still, I wanted to like the Ethan Hawkeish character.
pickI loved this story. It‘s authentic and very real. The things we do to deal with our very human problems. Mix in a little Shakespeare and you got a damn fine novel.
