A review by judyward
My Anecdotal Life: A Memoir by Carl Reiner

2.0

I really wanted to like this book. Unfortunately, I had to force myself to finish it which I found really disappointing. Organized as a series of unrelated chapters of anecdotes, there was a very disjointed feeling to the book. But then the author is 80 years old. Was there no editorial input from the publishers? Reiner obviously has a healthy respect for his humor, creative energy, and writing ability. The book contained some interesting stories about show business personalities such as Mickey Rooney, Dick Van Dyke, Mary Tyler Moore, Mel Brooks, and many others. I felt as if the author was trying very hard to entertain, but at the same time keep an emotional barrier between himself and the reader. The only time that I felt Reiner really exposed his inner feelings was when he was writing about his mother, father, and brother. Those sections of the book were very moving.