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I admit it—I had a raging crush on Andrew McCarthy when I was in middle school 😍 So I may be biased, but I found “Brat” a tight little memoir covering the period from his discovering theater in high school through the height of the Brat Pack days up to the unlikely success of Weekend at Bernie‘s. Just the right mix of self-analysis, celebrity gossip, and behind-the-scenes details of moviemaking. Self-deprecating, wry and full of heart.

Just finished listening to this audiobook on Libby. I‘m not sure I would have enjoyed reading it as much as I did hearing Andrew tell his story. I think I he has spent a lot of time reflecting on that chaotic time and he‘s come to terms with the role alcohol played in his young adult life. In some ways he skims along the surface but that‘s his call - I think there‘s a lot more left unsaid about his personal relationships. Pick with reservations

Bk2 for June is done! If my readings not quite back to what it was, at least there‘s light at the end of the tunnel now thank god👍I enjoyed this memoir more than I thought I would, bring back so many memories of what the 80s were like for a teenager. Though for an actor that looked so cool onscreen, he was a total mess off it. Highly recommend. #BookspinBingo #BigJuneReadathon #NonFictionBingo #ImASurvivor #Pop21 #Booked2022 #ByAJournalist

Currently 2/3 of the way through this ebook. The autobiography of the 80s Brat Pack member, it‘s hooked me far more than I thought it would at first. Maybe it‘s the fact I was an 80s girl & most of his movies are ones that bring back a time when perms, bows, RaRa skirts & fishnet gloves were my daily armour. Ah, teenager life! For an actor that seems to have it together onscreen, he was a mess off it. #OnceAn80sGirlAlwaysAn80sGirl

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I went into this without expectations, and while I feel some parts could have had a bit more depth, I really enjoyed McCarthy's writing. You get the sense that he didn't always get along with certain people he worked with, but he writes in an eloquent and respectful way that surprised me. Mostly you get a feeling for who he is and how he navigated his early success. If you were an 80's child, I highly recommend this one (get the audio).

Not at all what I expected and I completely forgot he was in Weekend at Bernie‘s.

If you aren‘t familiar with McCarthy or didn‘t grow up in the ‘80s, I‘m not sure this memoir would hold your interest. But I really enjoyed it. It was interesting to find out he was just as insecure and clueless about where he was going or what he was doing as any of the rest of us.
#GenX #1980s #BratPack #PrettyInPink #StElmosFire

21 #100 Finished the last book of the year. Lucky 100.

This was perfectly fine with a touch of 8O‘s movie nostalgia but like the characters Andrew played, there was a sense of detachment and seclusion. Although labeled a member of the popular 80‘s “Brat Pack” McCarthy shares he felt more like a Hollywood outsider, which led to his dependency on drugs & alcohol. Not my favorite listen, #MoreMehThanYeah A low pick. This was 3hours and 55 minutes @Andrew65 #20in4 and 6 words found #TreasureHunt

Just got the word #December 😁#TreasureHunt @Andrew65 audio is enjoyable although so far story is pretty dry

I was a teenager in the 80‘s…John Hughes films and the Brat Pack were a big deal back then. This was a quick and fun read. I enjoyed it and am happy to hear that he came out the other side and is doing just fine.

I am a child of the 80‘s and Andrew McCarthy was always my favourite 💕 Starting this one today!

10-25-21: My 106th finished book of 2021! I have always loved Andrew McCarthy. Who doesn‘t love Blane in Pretty in Pink? This quick read is all about his rise to fame, his bout of alcoholism, and his path to finding himself behind the veil of the Brat Pack label. He really seems like a nice guy. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 👍🏼📖#️⃣1️⃣0️⃣6️⃣

I have always liked Andrew McCarthy and enjoyed this memoir of his childhood and 80s acting years. He gives some hints of what lays beyond, but largely confines this to the era, including his rise as an actor, devolution into alcoholism, and gradual movement away from the spotlight. He comes across as a decent guy.

Confession: I grew up on John Hughes movies and saw St. Elmo‘s Fire at least 3 times in college. When I heard McCarthy would be publishing a memoir of the 80s, I knew it‘d be a must-read ( he may be one of the few celebrities who‘s gone on to have a solid writing career). Not a lot of juicy gossip here, if you‘re looking for a tell-all, But a breezy and engaging read—one of the few that I wish had been longer.

I enjoyed his movies in the 1980's so was interested in his story. Overall, some interesting stories of his past but I would have also like to hear how he has moved into directing but that was not at all part of the book. A decent read.

Started this on my walk

Not very gossip-y, but McCarthy is very honest and real about his life - his time in the spotlight during the 80s, his alcohol and drug use, his complicated relationship with his father, and the aftermath of his fame. His writing was eloquent and I really enjoyed this. And for sure, I will be watching Pretty In Pink tonight! 😂

#bookspinbingo

Overall Rating 3¾⭐ | Narration 😁 = Very Good

It‘s odd to rate a memoir… it‘s sort of like you‘re rating their life. So, I guess my rating is a reflection of my level of entertainment. This was truly well written and even interesting at times...but kind of boring or easy to tune out at other times. Despite the level of writing, I think I wanted a tad more depth than what was presented here.

Really enjoyed this one although it‘s not too gossipy if you are looking for that.

I had the biggest crush on him in the 80‘s. Can‘t wait to dive in ❤️

Loved him in Pretty in Pink!

Last Brat-related post: @kamoorephoto recommended I check out Rob Lowe‘s podcast (Literally!) interview with Andrew McCarthy. It was a good conversation/catch-up between friends.

Finished this memoir about 32 hours after picking it up from the library. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ McCarthy is open about his struggles, his insecurities, his response to the ‘80s. I feel like a McCarthy Movie Marathon is in my future.

This library hold just came in...looking forward to hearing McCarthy talk about his 80s experience.

While not a name-dropping, soapy delight like Rob Lowe‘s first memoir, this was a good read. Andrew McCarthy is a thoughtful writer who takes the reader through the beginning of his acting career through his celebrity peak and its aftermath. What resonated most with me was his relationship with the acting teacher who saw something in him and continued to support his work. I hope everyone has someone like that in life.

4🌟I really enjoyed this one! Longtime fan of McCarthy's I appreciated his honesty and insight into acting and his own journey in the business.Told with humor and vulnerability, at its heart I found this to be the story of a shy young man searching to find himself. I initially wanted to read this for the insider details on some of my favorite movies growing up which I did get but I also got so much more out of it too. #bookreview #bookblogger

I can promise you, Weekend at Bernie‘s the movie does not hold up, but I will watch it everyone time I see it streaming.🤣 I started the book, thinking it was boring and it‘s just not a juicy celebrity memoir but the truth is, it‘s great. Perfect length, perfect amount of gossip & well written. Over all, I say YES, I just had to stop being so judgmental.

Now for something fun and dishy.

Not much tea is spilled but McCarthy‘s writing is as spot on as ever. I loved this one.

I didn‘t love this memoir at first, but I came to appreciate Andrew‘s quiet reflection on his 80s career. He had no trajectory then and lost a lot of the decade to a sea of drinking, but he certainly has a unique perspective on the inception of the teen movie and the teen heartthrob. A #BorrowNotBuy in my opinion. #audiobook

Full review here: http://girlwellread.blogspot.com/2021/05/brat-80s-story-by-andrew-mccarthy.html.

Had heard before that Molly Ringwald and Andrew McCarthy didn't gel with Jon Cryer and McCarthy confirms that saying Cryer had a very annoying laugh and the scene where Duckie says Blane is a name for an appliance and spoken in anger is completely said in the anger and dislike they all had for one another.

He writes eloquently but I guess we should expect it since he spent 15 years as a travel writer. It was surprising to read of how little he connected with any of the actors he starred with in his famous movies from the 80s. He was an alcoholic and drug abuser of which he speaks about quite frankly. Similar to Val Kilmer's memoir he has devoted many pages to talking about the complicated relationship with his father.

McCarthy suffered from what so many feel is socially unacceptable....being an introvert. Saying he needed to "overcome" and "work through it".

Best bookmail ever!! "What about prom Blaine?!" is a favourite line! Totally loved the 80s, Pretty in Pink and Andrew McCarthy. This looks to be a dishy memoir on being a Brat Pack member.

I did not expect to love this like I did.
It was quite wonderful.
Or he rattles on like I do when telling a story and I was enamored with it 🤍
Lots of insight.
Very honest in my opinion.
Makes me want to watch all his 80s movies again.