Scan barcode
grace_ann's review against another edition
3.0
There is no shortage of narcissistic male protagonists out there, what sets this book apart is that it doesn’t stay there. What follows is unfolding character development and an honest demonstration of how challenging the journey of being present and honest with ourselves can be.
.
Hawke has distilled his acute understanding of what it means to be an artist and performer into the book’s protagonist, William, rendering him eerily real and exceptionally believable.
.
I was, however, put off by the graphic sexual depictions sprinkled throughout. They were unnecessary and soiled the effort Hawke made to deliver an otherwise stunning book.
.
Hawke has distilled his acute understanding of what it means to be an artist and performer into the book’s protagonist, William, rendering him eerily real and exceptionally believable.
.
I was, however, put off by the graphic sexual depictions sprinkled throughout. They were unnecessary and soiled the effort Hawke made to deliver an otherwise stunning book.
theatretenor's review against another edition
5.0
Gosh this book had me captivated from page 1. It’s not often I buy a book I want to read and then actually read it right away! It happened to work for this book.
Ethan Hawke can WRITE. Who knew?! Not me! He has written three other novels, but he hasn’t written one in 20 years until A Bright Ray of Darkness.
Let’s be clear - this book is SO autobiographical. I found myself stopping to google so many things about Ethan and saying, “Did this thing really happen to him?!” And yes it did a fair amount of times.
But more than that, and I’m sure there was probably something cathartic to him about writing this, he also focuses on his life on stage. Particularly doing Henry IV on Broadway and playing Hotspur. He goes into the head of the actor and what they feel. What they feel on stage and off stage and in rehearsals and it just filled me up as I am also an actor! Unfortunately not for Broadway, but still. I connected so hard with his actor feelings and even parts of what it’s like to live your life while being an actor. I feel some of those things. And even all that aside, just to get a glimpse into his actor brain and how he feels and how he prepares and how he gets into character and into a scene. I was into it. As with googling his life, I found myself researching the play Henry IV because while I’ve done two Shakespeare shows I don’t know squat about Shakespeare’s history shows cause they seemed boring and inaccessible to me.
Ok, I’m done. I’m just rambling. I suck at reviews. It was fucking good and I fucking loved it, ok?!
Ethan Hawke can WRITE. Who knew?! Not me! He has written three other novels, but he hasn’t written one in 20 years until A Bright Ray of Darkness.
Let’s be clear - this book is SO autobiographical. I found myself stopping to google so many things about Ethan and saying, “Did this thing really happen to him?!” And yes it did a fair amount of times.
But more than that, and I’m sure there was probably something cathartic to him about writing this, he also focuses on his life on stage. Particularly doing Henry IV on Broadway and playing Hotspur. He goes into the head of the actor and what they feel. What they feel on stage and off stage and in rehearsals and it just filled me up as I am also an actor! Unfortunately not for Broadway, but still. I connected so hard with his actor feelings and even parts of what it’s like to live your life while being an actor. I feel some of those things. And even all that aside, just to get a glimpse into his actor brain and how he feels and how he prepares and how he gets into character and into a scene. I was into it. As with googling his life, I found myself researching the play Henry IV because while I’ve done two Shakespeare shows I don’t know squat about Shakespeare’s history shows cause they seemed boring and inaccessible to me.
Ok, I’m done. I’m just rambling. I suck at reviews. It was fucking good and I fucking loved it, ok?!
zander_cz's review against another edition
4.0
A Bright Ray of Darkness is a short but great reflection on fame and the pit that is celebrity. Hawke grapples with sex, drugs, acting and family in a range of thought provoking monologues built on the structure of a shakespeare play. Its fast but fascinating. I guess it does prove that writing what you know works.
hamster02's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bookfellaspizza's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
inceptionistbooks's review against another edition
I actually admire his writing style, that aspect I enjoyed a lot. His narration style for the audiobook was also great (I would definitely listen to more audiobooks narrated by him). But at this moment I have no patience for the man angst of the protagonist, I might pick this book up again at a later time.
bassant's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0