dpiegaro's review against another edition
1.0
Oh man, good thing this was free, Audible. This was a really weird memoir(?) about Alan Arkin’s journey to become self aware. He talks about gurus and self introspection so much that I couldn’t stop rolling my eyes. 🙄
andi16's review against another edition
2.0
Quite all over the place with stories and lack of purpose or main idea.
faisman's review against another edition
5.0
Very neat and introspective book where Alan describes some small formative experiences through his years which had an impact on him. Various events, mostly small, which had an impact and shaped his perception of himself and the world. For example, when he started panicking before plays, or how his feelings about mediation have evolved through time, or weird coincides he's encountered which made him wonder about reality and the world.
It's not a full memoir, but it is a collection of bright impressions and moments from his long life. Very short and highly readable, can read through in a single sitting without much trouble if you're not going anywhere.
It's not a full memoir, but it is a collection of bright impressions and moments from his long life. Very short and highly readable, can read through in a single sitting without much trouble if you're not going anywhere.
tarana's review against another edition
3.0
First half is very interesting. The second other stranger occurrences. I don't discount them, as many people have had several unexplainable things happen to them in their lifetimes. Narrated by Alan Arkin.
joshrskinner's review against another edition
2.0
2-3*
Summary:
I was sure I was right and told everyone, but I was wrong.
I was sure I was right and told everyone, but I was wrong.
Now I am sure that no one can be sure, but I don't tell anyone...except that I am still sure that I am right and I am going to release an Audible freebie for everyone to hear.
Okay, my summary is slightly tongue-in-cheek and certainly exaggerated, but not by a lot. There is wisdom bubbling up throughout this recording, but that wisdom is often overshadowed by the plethora of post hoc and an exaltation of personal experience/testimony.
Arkin's book seems to suffer from genre dysphoria--be a memoir or be a self-help, but the mixing of the two detracts from each.
Summary:
I was sure I was right and told everyone, but I was wrong.
I was sure I was right and told everyone, but I was wrong.
Now I am sure that no one can be sure, but I don't tell anyone...except that I am still sure that I am right and I am going to release an Audible freebie for everyone to hear.
Okay, my summary is slightly tongue-in-cheek and certainly exaggerated, but not by a lot. There is wisdom bubbling up throughout this recording, but that wisdom is often overshadowed by the plethora of post hoc and an exaltation of personal experience/testimony.
Arkin's book seems to suffer from genre dysphoria--be a memoir or be a self-help, but the mixing of the two detracts from each.
kvanderbeek21's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
This was really interesting and much more spiritual than I anticipated - not in a bad way either. He's very open minded. Some of it was a big far fetched for me (not that I don't believe him, just that it's not within my scope of reality), but I'm glad I listened to it.
wolverinefactor's review against another edition
1.0
Remember that time Alan Arkin used his mental powers to heal his sons sunburn?!?
What a waste of 2 hours. Thank god it was free
What a waste of 2 hours. Thank god it was free