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A Bright Ray of Darkness
The first novel in nearly twenty years from the acclaimed actor/writer/director is a book about art and love, fame and heartbreak - a blistering story of a young man making his Broadway debut in Henry IV just as his marriage implodes.
A bracing meditation on fame and celebrity and the redemptive, healing power of art; a portrait of the ravages of disappointment and divorce; a poignant consideration of the rites of fatherhood and manhood; a novel soaked in rage and sex, longing and despair; and a passionate love letter to the world of theatre, A Bright Ray of Darkness showcases Ethan Hawke's gifts as a novelist as never before.
Hawke's narrator is a young man in torment, disgusted with himself after the collapse of his marriage, still half-hoping for a reconciliation that would allow him to forgive himself and move on as he clumsily, and sometimes hilariously, tries to manage the wreckage of his personal life with whisky and sex. What saves him is the in particular, the challenge of performing the role of Hotspur in a production of Henry IV under the leadership of a brilliant director, helmed by one of the most electrifying - and narcissistic - Falstaff's of all time. Searing, raw, and utterly transfixing, A Bright Ray of Darkness is a novel about shame and beauty and faith, and the moral power of art.
A bracing meditation on fame and celebrity and the redemptive, healing power of art; a portrait of the ravages of disappointment and divorce; a poignant consideration of the rites of fatherhood and manhood; a novel soaked in rage and sex, longing and despair; and a passionate love letter to the world of theatre, A Bright Ray of Darkness showcases Ethan Hawke's gifts as a novelist as never before.
Hawke's narrator is a young man in torment, disgusted with himself after the collapse of his marriage, still half-hoping for a reconciliation that would allow him to forgive himself and move on as he clumsily, and sometimes hilariously, tries to manage the wreckage of his personal life with whisky and sex. What saves him is the in particular, the challenge of performing the role of Hotspur in a production of Henry IV under the leadership of a brilliant director, helmed by one of the most electrifying - and narcissistic - Falstaff's of all time. Searing, raw, and utterly transfixing, A Bright Ray of Darkness is a novel about shame and beauty and faith, and the moral power of art.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2021
507 people are currently reading
27846 people want to read
About the author
Ethan Hawke
34 books1,272 followersEthan Green Hawke is an American actor, author, and film director. He made his film debut in Explorers (1985), before making a breakthrough performance in Dead Poets Society (1989). Hawke starred alongside Julie Delpy in Richard Linklater's Before trilogy from 1995 to 2013. Hawke received two nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Training Day (2001) and Boyhood (2014) and two for Best Adapted Screenplay for co-writing Before Sunset (2004) and Before Midnight (2013). Other notable roles include in Reality Bites (1994), Gattaca (1997), Great Expectations (1998), Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007), Maggie's Plan (2015), First Reformed (2017), The Black Phone (2021), and The Northman (2022).
Hawke directed the narrative films Chelsea Walls (2001), The Hottest State (2006), and Blaze (2018) as well as the documentary Seymour: An Introduction (2014). He created, co-wrote and starred as John Brown in the Showtime limited series The Good Lord Bird (2018), and directed the HBO Max documentary series The Last Movie Stars (2022). He starred in the Marvel television miniseries Moon Knight (2022) as Arthur Harrow.
In addition to his film work, Hawke has appeared in many theater productions. He made his Broadway debut in 1992 in Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play in 2007 for his performance in Tom Stoppard's The Coast of Utopia. In 2010, Hawke directed Sam Shepard's A Lie of the Mind, for which he received a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Director of a Play. In 2018, he starred in the Roundabout Theater Company's revival of Sam Shepard's play True West.
He has received numerous nominations including a total of four Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award.
Hawke directed the narrative films Chelsea Walls (2001), The Hottest State (2006), and Blaze (2018) as well as the documentary Seymour: An Introduction (2014). He created, co-wrote and starred as John Brown in the Showtime limited series The Good Lord Bird (2018), and directed the HBO Max documentary series The Last Movie Stars (2022). He starred in the Marvel television miniseries Moon Knight (2022) as Arthur Harrow.
In addition to his film work, Hawke has appeared in many theater productions. He made his Broadway debut in 1992 in Anton Chekhov's The Seagull, and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play in 2007 for his performance in Tom Stoppard's The Coast of Utopia. In 2010, Hawke directed Sam Shepard's A Lie of the Mind, for which he received a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Director of a Play. In 2018, he starred in the Roundabout Theater Company's revival of Sam Shepard's play True West.
He has received numerous nominations including a total of four Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,466 reviews
February 2, 2021
Finally, a novel about the travails of a successful White guy! What could pull the heartstrings of our afflicted nation tighter than a story of brief, emotional setback suffered by a handsome movie star?
Ethan Hawke has got a lot of nerve.
But he’s also got a lot of talent.
The actor and director, who made his screen debut at 15, has published several books during his acclaimed Hollywood career, and he recently produced and starred in a spectacular TV adaptation of James McBride’s “The Good Lord Bird.”
But Hawke is also known as the man who cheated on Uma Thurman and offered loutish excuses about the sexual needs of great men like Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and him.
Now, some 15 years after all that cosmic embarrassment, Hawke has published a novel called “A Bright Ray of Darkness.” It’s about a young movie star who got caught cheating on his stunningly gorgeous wife. This recycled gossip is tiresome, but what’s most irritating about “A Bright Ray of Darkness” is that it’s really good. If you can ignore the author’s motive for creating such a sensitive and endearing cad, you’ll find here a novel that explores the demands of acting and the delusions of manhood with tremendous verve and insight. . . .
To read the rest of this review, go to The Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entert...
Ethan Hawke has got a lot of nerve.
But he’s also got a lot of talent.
The actor and director, who made his screen debut at 15, has published several books during his acclaimed Hollywood career, and he recently produced and starred in a spectacular TV adaptation of James McBride’s “The Good Lord Bird.”
But Hawke is also known as the man who cheated on Uma Thurman and offered loutish excuses about the sexual needs of great men like Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and him.
Now, some 15 years after all that cosmic embarrassment, Hawke has published a novel called “A Bright Ray of Darkness.” It’s about a young movie star who got caught cheating on his stunningly gorgeous wife. This recycled gossip is tiresome, but what’s most irritating about “A Bright Ray of Darkness” is that it’s really good. If you can ignore the author’s motive for creating such a sensitive and endearing cad, you’ll find here a novel that explores the demands of acting and the delusions of manhood with tremendous verve and insight. . . .
To read the rest of this review, go to The Washington Post:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/entert...
August 28, 2021
Only a rich movie star could get away with this. Ethan Hawke really has got some fuckin balls, writing a novel in 2021 about the plight of the wealthy white man.
But, God, it's good.
Ethan Hawke is an author. Yes, yes, yes, I know he's actually an actor. A very fine actor. A twice Oscar-nominated actor (he has two Oscar nominations for writing, too). But he is also, without doubt, an author. That's about as good a compliment as you can pay to anyone switching crafts like this. He's an artist, if you will. This is no vanity project; it's a proper, high-quality novel.
Hawke is exactly the right person to give us an insight into the craft of acting and the realities of fame - his narrator is a movie star who, just as his marriage is falling apart, is poised to make his Broadway debut. The only actor in the production not traditionally trained, he is desperate not to appear as a ticket pull for tourists. At the same time, he's drinking too much, fearful of losing his kids and stumbling from one damaging sexual encounter to the next.
What we get is a subtle and realistic character arc as William starts to grow up, both professionally and personally. He starts to take some responsibility for himself but, more than that, sees himself for who he is once the narcissism is stripped away.
A very impressive novel. I hope this isn't just a one off. He's got it.
But, God, it's good.
Ethan Hawke is an author. Yes, yes, yes, I know he's actually an actor. A very fine actor. A twice Oscar-nominated actor (he has two Oscar nominations for writing, too). But he is also, without doubt, an author. That's about as good a compliment as you can pay to anyone switching crafts like this. He's an artist, if you will. This is no vanity project; it's a proper, high-quality novel.
Hawke is exactly the right person to give us an insight into the craft of acting and the realities of fame - his narrator is a movie star who, just as his marriage is falling apart, is poised to make his Broadway debut. The only actor in the production not traditionally trained, he is desperate not to appear as a ticket pull for tourists. At the same time, he's drinking too much, fearful of losing his kids and stumbling from one damaging sexual encounter to the next.
What we get is a subtle and realistic character arc as William starts to grow up, both professionally and personally. He starts to take some responsibility for himself but, more than that, sees himself for who he is once the narcissism is stripped away.
A very impressive novel. I hope this isn't just a one off. He's got it.
March 23, 2021
Just wanted to notate some of the quotes from this book I particularly enjoyed.
"When you finish a movie, they always forget to call you a car. When you are starting a movie, everything runs perfectly--town cars, hotel rooms, per diem--but once the film ends they couldn't give a shit."
"I'd forgotten what a kiss was like; I'd forgotten what it wwas like to hold someone who wanted to be held; who wanted you to launch your hnd up under her skirt; who was hpoing you would reach a little bit further; push a little harder; someone who made little noises. Now, I'm smart enough to know that blind pursuit of these kinds of shenanigans doesn't lead you to any kind of authentic, substantive, enlightened existence. I guess I know that. I mean, maybe I know that. Or I should say I had long held that to be true, but in that moment, I would have rather died--had a bullet zip right through my cerebral cortex and my blood splash out onto the asphalt--thn let go of that girl's hand. She felt like an instrument of the Divine."
"I learned quickly of the power, the absolute nuclear power, of the deceit attached to any kind of storytelling."
"I gathered that all my cast mates were weak-minded morons who spent the night online reading about our show. They were not the blue-jumpsuit-fucking Zen monk that I was."
"Shakespeare could do anything with words. You are not more intelligent than he--so don't try to fix his writing. Try to understand it. If the language is clumsy or contradictory--consider why? Every word was deliberately chosen. Trust me."
"When you finish a movie, they always forget to call you a car. When you are starting a movie, everything runs perfectly--town cars, hotel rooms, per diem--but once the film ends they couldn't give a shit."
"I'd forgotten what a kiss was like; I'd forgotten what it wwas like to hold someone who wanted to be held; who wanted you to launch your hnd up under her skirt; who was hpoing you would reach a little bit further; push a little harder; someone who made little noises. Now, I'm smart enough to know that blind pursuit of these kinds of shenanigans doesn't lead you to any kind of authentic, substantive, enlightened existence. I guess I know that. I mean, maybe I know that. Or I should say I had long held that to be true, but in that moment, I would have rather died--had a bullet zip right through my cerebral cortex and my blood splash out onto the asphalt--thn let go of that girl's hand. She felt like an instrument of the Divine."
"I learned quickly of the power, the absolute nuclear power, of the deceit attached to any kind of storytelling."
"I gathered that all my cast mates were weak-minded morons who spent the night online reading about our show. They were not the blue-jumpsuit-fucking Zen monk that I was."
"Shakespeare could do anything with words. You are not more intelligent than he--so don't try to fix his writing. Try to understand it. If the language is clumsy or contradictory--consider why? Every word was deliberately chosen. Trust me."
March 3, 2026
I admit that I’m fascinated by Ethan Hawke: he acts, directs, writes and whenever I’ve seen him interviewed he’s come across as an engaging raconteur, articulate and thoughtful and with some interesting views on life. He hadn’t written a book in twenty years but in this new novel he documents the plight of a screen actor who is simultaneously dealing with the breakdown of his marriage whilst making his Broadway debut in Shakespeare’s Henry IV.
William Harding is married to a beautiful rock star and has two young children who he loves dearly, but he’s been unfaithful, and his infidelity has been outed by the press and publicised across social media. It’s not clear whether he still loves his wife, but the thought that he will lose his constant contact with his children is hurting him deeply. Can he somehow mend this? And then there’s the play, in which he’s to act the part of Sir Henry Percy (known as Hotspur), a role Hawke himself played on stage back in 2003. It’s a demanding part, and the production’s director is a supremely driven, hard-nosed veteran who will accept nothing less than total focus on producing the very best performance from his cast.
There’s a section where the director lands his opening spiel on the cast as they gather together for the first time, I found it astounding in its power and impact. It reminded me of Alec Baldwin’s furious rant in the film version of Mamet’s play Glengarry Glen Ross. Then there’s the fact that Hawke himself narrates the audio version I listened to – he’s electric in his unforgiving delivery.
The two elements of this story unfold side by side: Harding’s angst ridden struggle to deal with the fact that he’s brought the collapse of his marriage on himself and his desperate effort to deliver a performance worthy of the illustrious cast of seasoned stage actors he’s surrounded by. I loved the way that Hawke was able to bring the theatre scenes alive – both onstage and offstage – it’s brilliantly done. Between performances, Harding drinks, fears for his voice, frets for his marriage, and yet still finds time to fornicate further. It’s hard to see how he can possibly hold it all together.
This is one of those books that grabbed me from the beginning and never let go. I do believe that the power of the words will shine through in the written text, but I’m totally convinced the way to go with this one is to listen to the reading of the book by the gravelly voiced man himself. Miss it if you dare.
William Harding is married to a beautiful rock star and has two young children who he loves dearly, but he’s been unfaithful, and his infidelity has been outed by the press and publicised across social media. It’s not clear whether he still loves his wife, but the thought that he will lose his constant contact with his children is hurting him deeply. Can he somehow mend this? And then there’s the play, in which he’s to act the part of Sir Henry Percy (known as Hotspur), a role Hawke himself played on stage back in 2003. It’s a demanding part, and the production’s director is a supremely driven, hard-nosed veteran who will accept nothing less than total focus on producing the very best performance from his cast.
There’s a section where the director lands his opening spiel on the cast as they gather together for the first time, I found it astounding in its power and impact. It reminded me of Alec Baldwin’s furious rant in the film version of Mamet’s play Glengarry Glen Ross. Then there’s the fact that Hawke himself narrates the audio version I listened to – he’s electric in his unforgiving delivery.
The two elements of this story unfold side by side: Harding’s angst ridden struggle to deal with the fact that he’s brought the collapse of his marriage on himself and his desperate effort to deliver a performance worthy of the illustrious cast of seasoned stage actors he’s surrounded by. I loved the way that Hawke was able to bring the theatre scenes alive – both onstage and offstage – it’s brilliantly done. Between performances, Harding drinks, fears for his voice, frets for his marriage, and yet still finds time to fornicate further. It’s hard to see how he can possibly hold it all together.
This is one of those books that grabbed me from the beginning and never let go. I do believe that the power of the words will shine through in the written text, but I’m totally convinced the way to go with this one is to listen to the reading of the book by the gravelly voiced man himself. Miss it if you dare.
February 22, 2021
I wish I had a dollar for every self-indulgent, white, male, narcissistic, misogynist protagonist I’m supposed to find sympathetic because they’re an “artist.” This reads like Kerouac fan fiction, the kind of crap that only got published because the author is famous. So, so much faux-deep philosophizing on the nature of fame/meaning of life—like drunk conversations at a Hollywood party. The female characters, unsurprisingly, desperately want to A. Have sex with the protagonist, B. Mommy the protagonist, or C. All of the Above. I could live the rest of my days without reading another woe-is-me, pretentious, downward-spiral novel written by a white, cis, hetero man.
February 12, 2021
This is one of those novels, upon reading the first pages, I was completely caught up in the life of the protagonist. It's a gift to be able to write and reach someone that way. It's a treasure to be lost in a story where time seems to stop. Very much like the the creative process itself, I found flow.
April 4, 2021
this is why i’m scared of men
March 13, 2021
Was expecting more out of this novel. I’m assuming this is semi-autobiographical? Main character cheats on his famous wife when they have two small children. He then suffers the consequences in the public’s eye, rightly so.
The sex scenes were male chauvinist cliché drivel that seem to be written by a high schooler. All the women characters were just bodies and their only dimension was wanting to have sex with the main character, married or not, they were willing. If I read one more line about a woman’s “giant heaving breasts”, I may have thrown the book in the bonfire.
Also, I think Hawke must not have interacted with his children much because 3 and 5 year old children do NOT have the prolific conversations that they had with their Dad in this book.
A BIG “don’t waste your time or money” from me. However, if I could have ripped every tasteless sex scene from this book and kept the rest, my review maybe would go up by another star.
The sex scenes were male chauvinist cliché drivel that seem to be written by a high schooler. All the women characters were just bodies and their only dimension was wanting to have sex with the main character, married or not, they were willing. If I read one more line about a woman’s “giant heaving breasts”, I may have thrown the book in the bonfire.
Also, I think Hawke must not have interacted with his children much because 3 and 5 year old children do NOT have the prolific conversations that they had with their Dad in this book.
A BIG “don’t waste your time or money” from me. However, if I could have ripped every tasteless sex scene from this book and kept the rest, my review maybe would go up by another star.
October 30, 2022
Oh lord, can Ethan Hawke write. I kind of wish he weren’t a well-known actor because that gets in the way of him receiving the well-deserved literary admiration people have for, say, Jess Walter and Steve Toltz, whose books I would put on the same shelf next to this one.
Hawke isn’t just funny. He is wildly hilarious and literate. He tells a great story that ripples with all that human intestinal squishy stuff we don’t want anybody else to see.
I spent many years in the theater as an actor and playwright, so the world of A Bright Ray of Darkness is one I know well. This is one of the best pieces of writing I’ve ever read to convey the art of pretending to be somebody else in a made-up story in front of hundreds of people who, in the best case, suspend their belief that you are really a regular schlub. Add to that the raucous insanity of a bunch of people whose real emotions don’t know the difference between what they’re pretending and being a regular schlub, and even if they do, sometimes they get overwhelmed by the professionally evoked stuff, but, unlike regular schlubs everywhere, these schlubs get distorted by all the applause, so they think what they do is a matter of life and death.
But you don’t need a theater background to enjoy this first-person tale of a self-involved drug-addled film actor who’s destroyed his marriage by cheating and, in the throes of anxiety and self-pity, is making his Broadway debut in a production of Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2. One of the things I love most is that while protagonist William Harding’s behavior is out of control, it is matched by what cumulatively feels like a chorus of equally addled advisors who deliver increasingly wise wisdom: a coked-up actor; a poor dresser who is just trying to get William on stage so he (the dresser) doesn’t get fired; William’s coked-up mother who babysits his children at the Mercury (god of messages; there is no such place in real life) Hotel where he’s bunkered during the run of his play; and so many others. Over and over narcissism and drugs are married to wisdom, or, as in the title, there’s dissonance that makes a bigger truth, and it is hilarious. Also, there are often scene-ending out-of-left-field lines that kill with poignancy.
This book is an absolute joy and there is plenty to sink into for those inclined to contemplation.
Hawke isn’t just funny. He is wildly hilarious and literate. He tells a great story that ripples with all that human intestinal squishy stuff we don’t want anybody else to see.
I spent many years in the theater as an actor and playwright, so the world of A Bright Ray of Darkness is one I know well. This is one of the best pieces of writing I’ve ever read to convey the art of pretending to be somebody else in a made-up story in front of hundreds of people who, in the best case, suspend their belief that you are really a regular schlub. Add to that the raucous insanity of a bunch of people whose real emotions don’t know the difference between what they’re pretending and being a regular schlub, and even if they do, sometimes they get overwhelmed by the professionally evoked stuff, but, unlike regular schlubs everywhere, these schlubs get distorted by all the applause, so they think what they do is a matter of life and death.
But you don’t need a theater background to enjoy this first-person tale of a self-involved drug-addled film actor who’s destroyed his marriage by cheating and, in the throes of anxiety and self-pity, is making his Broadway debut in a production of Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2. One of the things I love most is that while protagonist William Harding’s behavior is out of control, it is matched by what cumulatively feels like a chorus of equally addled advisors who deliver increasingly wise wisdom: a coked-up actor; a poor dresser who is just trying to get William on stage so he (the dresser) doesn’t get fired; William’s coked-up mother who babysits his children at the Mercury (god of messages; there is no such place in real life) Hotel where he’s bunkered during the run of his play; and so many others. Over and over narcissism and drugs are married to wisdom, or, as in the title, there’s dissonance that makes a bigger truth, and it is hilarious. Also, there are often scene-ending out-of-left-field lines that kill with poignancy.
This book is an absolute joy and there is plenty to sink into for those inclined to contemplation.
June 24, 2025
¡Maravilla de novela!
Escribe sin miedo Ethan Hawke, desde una posición, diría que muy segura, no de esa forma tibia de los que quieren ser políticamente correctos siempre, que es demencial y corriente mayoritaria actualmente. El tema es atractivo, el teatro es el arte que más me gusta, tras la literatura, claro. Una gran producción de Broadway, sus intríngulis, los grandes egos de los divos, envidias, como llegar al público. Todo ello mezclado con una crisis personal del autor-actor-protagonista de tamaño mayúsculo, de esas crisis que solo logran estos artistas famosos de talla internacional, con drogas, alcohol y sexo a mansalva.
Empecé sorprendido por lo bien que arranca, al poco me entraron dudas sobre mi excesivo entusiasmo y a mitad del libro me entregué a él sin condiciones. Ante esta sorpresa inicial, me informé por Mr. Google de que se trata de un guionista de cierto reconocimiento y que ha sido nominado a premios importantes.
“La gente siempre pregunta por “todo ese texto ¿no es difícil de memorizar todo ese texto?”. Memorizar solo requiere tiempo. Pero usar el poder de la imaginación colectiva de la compañía para que el público se olvide de la quimioterapia de su hermana y se interese por lo que hace gente de hace seiscientos años que habla en verso… eso implica algo místico; y si te empiezan a temblar las manos como si estuvieras haciendo la representación oral de un libro en el instituto, seguro que Dioniso no se presenta”.
Digo que escribe bien este tipo, es rico, buen actor, dan ganas de cometer un atentado contra él. Esta novela tiene una profundidad que no se puede impostar; por lo que a la eterna pregunta sobre si hay algo de autobiografía en la novela, diría de forma categórica que sí: narra en el momento en que el protagonista tiene 32 años, la edad aproximada de cuando Hawke debutó en Broadway, he visto fotos suyas de entonces y parece un heroinómano, tal como cuenta en el libro, delgadísimo. La realidad y la ficción cambian el nombre del prota, cambia su ex esposa Uma Thurman por una mega estrella del pop, pero diría que el resto es bastante fidedigno: hasta la obra de su debut en el teatro (Enrique IV) es la misma que narra en el libro. Cambiará lo que le parezca y lo transformará en ficción, solo faltaba, pero me apostaría algo serio a que indudablemente se trata de él.
He leído libros sobre otros libros. Libros sobre películas. Libros sobre héroes reales o ficticios. Pero nunca lo había hecho sobre una obra de teatro, en este caso el Enrique IV de Shakespeare. Fabuloso.
“Solo hay dos tipos de producciones de Shakespeare: las que te cambian la vida, o las que son una mierda. Ya está. Porque si no cambia la vida del público… la producción ha sido un fracaso”.
Esta es mi particular gran sorpresa de la temporada: premio a la revelación literaria. Creo que el plus de esta buena novela se debe a la ausencia de miedo al qué dirán sobre mi libro, ni depender de críticos o ventas para sobrevivir...y encima hacerlo estupendamente bien, lo de escribir digo. Lo cual no significa que todo el que tenga la vida resuelta económicamente pueda escribir bien, no. Un ensayo novelado en torno a la sobre exposición mediática, el peso y lo inhumano de la fama, o la falta de privacidad; bastante lúcido.
“Hay una relación inversa directa entre la calidad de la película y lo que te pagan. Cuanto más estúpida es la película, más te pagan”.
Debo reconocer que tenía muchísimos prejuicios sobre el libro antes de su lectura: para un tipo/a famoso/a que escribe un libro bueno hay 100 o 200 horrorosos, y que además no están escritos por ellos. Mis prejuicios iban por aquello que comentaba antes, es como si un chico o chica famosos, no pudieran tener talento en otros ámbitos por el mero hecho de ser conocidos. Recomendable.
Escribe sin miedo Ethan Hawke, desde una posición, diría que muy segura, no de esa forma tibia de los que quieren ser políticamente correctos siempre, que es demencial y corriente mayoritaria actualmente. El tema es atractivo, el teatro es el arte que más me gusta, tras la literatura, claro. Una gran producción de Broadway, sus intríngulis, los grandes egos de los divos, envidias, como llegar al público. Todo ello mezclado con una crisis personal del autor-actor-protagonista de tamaño mayúsculo, de esas crisis que solo logran estos artistas famosos de talla internacional, con drogas, alcohol y sexo a mansalva.
Empecé sorprendido por lo bien que arranca, al poco me entraron dudas sobre mi excesivo entusiasmo y a mitad del libro me entregué a él sin condiciones. Ante esta sorpresa inicial, me informé por Mr. Google de que se trata de un guionista de cierto reconocimiento y que ha sido nominado a premios importantes.
“La gente siempre pregunta por “todo ese texto ¿no es difícil de memorizar todo ese texto?”. Memorizar solo requiere tiempo. Pero usar el poder de la imaginación colectiva de la compañía para que el público se olvide de la quimioterapia de su hermana y se interese por lo que hace gente de hace seiscientos años que habla en verso… eso implica algo místico; y si te empiezan a temblar las manos como si estuvieras haciendo la representación oral de un libro en el instituto, seguro que Dioniso no se presenta”.
Digo que escribe bien este tipo, es rico, buen actor, dan ganas de cometer un atentado contra él. Esta novela tiene una profundidad que no se puede impostar; por lo que a la eterna pregunta sobre si hay algo de autobiografía en la novela, diría de forma categórica que sí: narra en el momento en que el protagonista tiene 32 años, la edad aproximada de cuando Hawke debutó en Broadway, he visto fotos suyas de entonces y parece un heroinómano, tal como cuenta en el libro, delgadísimo. La realidad y la ficción cambian el nombre del prota, cambia su ex esposa Uma Thurman por una mega estrella del pop, pero diría que el resto es bastante fidedigno: hasta la obra de su debut en el teatro (Enrique IV) es la misma que narra en el libro. Cambiará lo que le parezca y lo transformará en ficción, solo faltaba, pero me apostaría algo serio a que indudablemente se trata de él.
He leído libros sobre otros libros. Libros sobre películas. Libros sobre héroes reales o ficticios. Pero nunca lo había hecho sobre una obra de teatro, en este caso el Enrique IV de Shakespeare. Fabuloso.
“Solo hay dos tipos de producciones de Shakespeare: las que te cambian la vida, o las que son una mierda. Ya está. Porque si no cambia la vida del público… la producción ha sido un fracaso”.
Esta es mi particular gran sorpresa de la temporada: premio a la revelación literaria. Creo que el plus de esta buena novela se debe a la ausencia de miedo al qué dirán sobre mi libro, ni depender de críticos o ventas para sobrevivir...y encima hacerlo estupendamente bien, lo de escribir digo. Lo cual no significa que todo el que tenga la vida resuelta económicamente pueda escribir bien, no. Un ensayo novelado en torno a la sobre exposición mediática, el peso y lo inhumano de la fama, o la falta de privacidad; bastante lúcido.
“Hay una relación inversa directa entre la calidad de la película y lo que te pagan. Cuanto más estúpida es la película, más te pagan”.
Debo reconocer que tenía muchísimos prejuicios sobre el libro antes de su lectura: para un tipo/a famoso/a que escribe un libro bueno hay 100 o 200 horrorosos, y que además no están escritos por ellos. Mis prejuicios iban por aquello que comentaba antes, es como si un chico o chica famosos, no pudieran tener talento en otros ámbitos por el mero hecho de ser conocidos. Recomendable.
January 5, 2026
Wow this was an absolute breath of fresh air! I adore Ethan Hawke's work as an actor, and how he discusses his craft and the power of literature. So, this was one of those rare occasions I felt pretty certain that an actor trying that hand at a novel would end in success. A Bright Ray of Darkness is a brilliant story full of power and vitality and melancholy and humour and philosophy. It truly is a rare creature.
“I looked around me and absorbed the peace of a sprawling bustling city stopped dead, socked in snow. My puppy jumped and barked, twisting and sliding. I was instantly wildly grateful just to be awake and witness all this stillness. I don’t ever want to die, I thought, I want to live forever.”
We jump into the life of William Harding, a film star whose life is crashing down after the newspapers found out he had an affair on his rockstar wife. Just as his marriage and home life are imploding, he is making his Broadway debut in Henry IV.
There are so many components to this novel this review will not even come close to exploring its depth and range with any sense of justice. Ethan Hawke's strength is his characterisation and his ability to make his characters very flawed yet compelling. William Harding is an adulterer and this is never justified, and at times has too much self-pity, but through exploring elements of his childhood, his insecurity at his career and his sense of purpose in his current project, his humanity moves the reader. What is perhaps more impressive is the almost episodic encounters and sudden explorations of the depths of the characters surrounding William Harding. Co-stars who suddenly open up, legends he bumps into at bars, reunions with family members and more. Each character is so richly designed. It is truly masterful.
I will not talk about much of what made A Bright Ray of Darkness so magnificent because I believe much of the joy of reading this was the journey and not knowing what was coming next. But I will take a moment to dwell over the sheer passion for literature and performance. Ethan Hawke in my opinion has always straddled the perfect line between exploring the power of literature and performance, whilst not straying into the pretentious or air of self-importance. A Bright Ray of Darkness examines how not only can literature and performance enhance and save the lives of the audience, but it can act as a heart of solace for a cast, whilst simultaneously acting as a seductive, dangerous, addictive trap that leaves you empty and terrified once the project is over.
“Music is constructed in notes. Language in words. Both are communicating. Music is a language of feeling, the heart. Words are the music of the mind. Theatre is their marriage.”
A Bright Ray of Darkness is written with a sensitivity and tenderness that is at times marked by explosive emotion and true, unfiltered passion. Ethan Hawke's ability to not only discuss understandingly and persuasively the importance of theatre and real human relations, but power to provoke your mind indirectly through the actions of his characters is just brilliant. It not only crafts an overarching melancholy tone with many splashes of anger, love and joy, but from beginning to end is filled with a wry humour that reflects life. Even at the worst moments, there is room for an unexpected laugh or joke. Hawke catches the unpredictability of life and entwines it with human emotion. It is bold, creative, confident and distinctive.
“I feel the same about cocaine as I do about eating meat,” she said. “It’s vile and ultimately morally reprehensible, but as long as I don’t pay for it—I find it quite enjoyable.”
I also loved the Dead Poet's Society reference...
I sounded my barbaric yawp”
Please pick this up. It is a short read that is so smooth. It sucks you into a soft embrace that will truly deliver the full rollercoaster of emotions. The fear of failing in front of a thousand people, the loneliness of being in a house on your own, the surge of appreciation for a friend, and so much more is covered in an incredible amount of individual moments.
“I looked around me and absorbed the peace of a sprawling bustling city stopped dead, socked in snow. My puppy jumped and barked, twisting and sliding. I was instantly wildly grateful just to be awake and witness all this stillness. I don’t ever want to die, I thought, I want to live forever.”
We jump into the life of William Harding, a film star whose life is crashing down after the newspapers found out he had an affair on his rockstar wife. Just as his marriage and home life are imploding, he is making his Broadway debut in Henry IV.
There are so many components to this novel this review will not even come close to exploring its depth and range with any sense of justice. Ethan Hawke's strength is his characterisation and his ability to make his characters very flawed yet compelling. William Harding is an adulterer and this is never justified, and at times has too much self-pity, but through exploring elements of his childhood, his insecurity at his career and his sense of purpose in his current project, his humanity moves the reader. What is perhaps more impressive is the almost episodic encounters and sudden explorations of the depths of the characters surrounding William Harding. Co-stars who suddenly open up, legends he bumps into at bars, reunions with family members and more. Each character is so richly designed. It is truly masterful.
I will not talk about much of what made A Bright Ray of Darkness so magnificent because I believe much of the joy of reading this was the journey and not knowing what was coming next. But I will take a moment to dwell over the sheer passion for literature and performance. Ethan Hawke in my opinion has always straddled the perfect line between exploring the power of literature and performance, whilst not straying into the pretentious or air of self-importance. A Bright Ray of Darkness examines how not only can literature and performance enhance and save the lives of the audience, but it can act as a heart of solace for a cast, whilst simultaneously acting as a seductive, dangerous, addictive trap that leaves you empty and terrified once the project is over.
“Music is constructed in notes. Language in words. Both are communicating. Music is a language of feeling, the heart. Words are the music of the mind. Theatre is their marriage.”
A Bright Ray of Darkness is written with a sensitivity and tenderness that is at times marked by explosive emotion and true, unfiltered passion. Ethan Hawke's ability to not only discuss understandingly and persuasively the importance of theatre and real human relations, but power to provoke your mind indirectly through the actions of his characters is just brilliant. It not only crafts an overarching melancholy tone with many splashes of anger, love and joy, but from beginning to end is filled with a wry humour that reflects life. Even at the worst moments, there is room for an unexpected laugh or joke. Hawke catches the unpredictability of life and entwines it with human emotion. It is bold, creative, confident and distinctive.
“I feel the same about cocaine as I do about eating meat,” she said. “It’s vile and ultimately morally reprehensible, but as long as I don’t pay for it—I find it quite enjoyable.”
I also loved the Dead Poet's Society reference...
I sounded my barbaric yawp”
Please pick this up. It is a short read that is so smooth. It sucks you into a soft embrace that will truly deliver the full rollercoaster of emotions. The fear of failing in front of a thousand people, the loneliness of being in a house on your own, the surge of appreciation for a friend, and so much more is covered in an incredible amount of individual moments.
April 28, 2024
A philosophical dance told through the eyes of an actor
With two Oscar nominations for screenplays and likewise for his acting, it's obvious this was one of Ethan's more personal stories. Having been delighted by his performance in The Good Lord Bird, and learning of his writing accolades, I was compelled to read this story. Like himself, the protagonist is a movie star struggling with marriage to a rock queen while he begins rehearsals for "Henry IV", his first Shakespeare play on Broadway. Several cast members serve as metaphor while they share insights about life and relationships with script dialog that magnifies its importance. Driven by themes of redemption and forgiveness, Shakespeare quotes act as a cipher while the father, cast members and friends impart wisdom. Told through the POV of the movie star, the reader is immersed into worlds unknown, unless you happen to work in Hollywood. Paced well, he engages the reader from the start and as the story plays out, deepens. Toward the end, the protagonist is witness to other's stories and life philosophies that shed light on how he might handle his personal dilemma. We don't often have the chance to get 'inside the mind' of a celebrity, and its far different from what we assume. Hawke's talent rivals the best, so those that appreciate engaging storytelling would do well to add this to their list!
With two Oscar nominations for screenplays and likewise for his acting, it's obvious this was one of Ethan's more personal stories. Having been delighted by his performance in The Good Lord Bird, and learning of his writing accolades, I was compelled to read this story. Like himself, the protagonist is a movie star struggling with marriage to a rock queen while he begins rehearsals for "Henry IV", his first Shakespeare play on Broadway. Several cast members serve as metaphor while they share insights about life and relationships with script dialog that magnifies its importance. Driven by themes of redemption and forgiveness, Shakespeare quotes act as a cipher while the father, cast members and friends impart wisdom. Told through the POV of the movie star, the reader is immersed into worlds unknown, unless you happen to work in Hollywood. Paced well, he engages the reader from the start and as the story plays out, deepens. Toward the end, the protagonist is witness to other's stories and life philosophies that shed light on how he might handle his personal dilemma. We don't often have the chance to get 'inside the mind' of a celebrity, and its far different from what we assume. Hawke's talent rivals the best, so those that appreciate engaging storytelling would do well to add this to their list!
February 24, 2021
Ethan Hawke. If that's his real name, it's a cool one. As for his movies, looking over the bio, I think I've seen only one: Dead Poets Society. And I only remember two actors from that movie -- Robin Williams as the teacher standing on the desk and the kid who ultimately offs himself at the end (tall, thin, dark haired, and most certainly not Ethan Hawke).
So why did I pick up this book? Ron Charles, Washington Post, assuring his readers it's much better than average. I don't know about the much part, and I'm even iffy on the better part, but not a total loss, and, Hey Mikey! I finished! (That's LIFE.)
It's about an actor (well, duh) performing Shakespeare (Henry IV) on Broadway as he is coming off a divorce to a big-time pop singer. He drinks, does drugs, feels sorry for himself, has two kids he loves, feels insecure about his stagework (he's a movie guy), and cheats on his soon-to-be ex-wife.
Where do you find stories like THAT? Right. National Enquirer and on the cameras of the nearest paparazzi.
So what's to like here? Mostly the insight into what it's like to be an actor, especially on the stage, especially putting up with other giant egos like your own (if you're an actor). Enough -- just -- to keep turning pages.
And what's not so much to like? Mostly the clichés of an actor's life. And a few writer clichés to boot. Like guy is ridiculously famous, guy gets girl(s) -- all of them -- guy feels sorry for himself while he struggles with fortune's whims (love-hate relationship with fame, struggles with domestic life, mostly), and guy talks about how rough it is to be roguishly handsome and 180 pounds of muscle.
Another problem? Two kids who are worse than precocious in their dialogue.
Oh. And the amount of advice on life and love and acting. Really. This guy has more Yoda-figures in his life than most of us have Chewbacca-figures on our hardwood floors (rug burn joke).
It came across like Ethan Hawke, author, has a lot of deep thoughts and decided to "hide" his wisdom in multiple side characters (who sounded similar), hoping we wouldn't notice how deep he is (hiding, not so well, behind the arras).
A final plaint: The wheels come off a bit 3/4s through when random characters (e.g. Dad) who've barely been mentioned suddenly get dropped into the narrative so they can eat up 20-30 pp. Why bother?
But still, I liked all the Shakespeare. And what life was like for auditioning, memorizing, practicing, performing, etc. Clearly Hawke knows of what he writes in that case and, for this book, there's the rub (read: value). If you read it, take it for what it is. Lights, action, READ!
Only don't forget the "light" part refers to "light reading," which has its merits. Not everything you read should be Henry IV, after all.
So why did I pick up this book? Ron Charles, Washington Post, assuring his readers it's much better than average. I don't know about the much part, and I'm even iffy on the better part, but not a total loss, and, Hey Mikey! I finished! (That's LIFE.)
It's about an actor (well, duh) performing Shakespeare (Henry IV) on Broadway as he is coming off a divorce to a big-time pop singer. He drinks, does drugs, feels sorry for himself, has two kids he loves, feels insecure about his stagework (he's a movie guy), and cheats on his soon-to-be ex-wife.
Where do you find stories like THAT? Right. National Enquirer and on the cameras of the nearest paparazzi.
So what's to like here? Mostly the insight into what it's like to be an actor, especially on the stage, especially putting up with other giant egos like your own (if you're an actor). Enough -- just -- to keep turning pages.
And what's not so much to like? Mostly the clichés of an actor's life. And a few writer clichés to boot. Like guy is ridiculously famous, guy gets girl(s) -- all of them -- guy feels sorry for himself while he struggles with fortune's whims (love-hate relationship with fame, struggles with domestic life, mostly), and guy talks about how rough it is to be roguishly handsome and 180 pounds of muscle.
Another problem? Two kids who are worse than precocious in their dialogue.
Oh. And the amount of advice on life and love and acting. Really. This guy has more Yoda-figures in his life than most of us have Chewbacca-figures on our hardwood floors (rug burn joke).
It came across like Ethan Hawke, author, has a lot of deep thoughts and decided to "hide" his wisdom in multiple side characters (who sounded similar), hoping we wouldn't notice how deep he is (hiding, not so well, behind the arras).
A final plaint: The wheels come off a bit 3/4s through when random characters (e.g. Dad) who've barely been mentioned suddenly get dropped into the narrative so they can eat up 20-30 pp. Why bother?
But still, I liked all the Shakespeare. And what life was like for auditioning, memorizing, practicing, performing, etc. Clearly Hawke knows of what he writes in that case and, for this book, there's the rub (read: value). If you read it, take it for what it is. Lights, action, READ!
Only don't forget the "light" part refers to "light reading," which has its merits. Not everything you read should be Henry IV, after all.
March 1, 2021
4.5, rounded down.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Hawke is at least as accomplished a writer as he is an actor, since this is his fifth published novel, and he's been nominated for two Oscars for his screenwriting efforts. But I had never read any of his earlier works, so was pleasantly amazed at just how excellent this book is. At least some of it is autobiographical, since this circles around a production of Shakespeare's Henry IV in which 32 y. o. protagonist, bad boy film actor William Harding is making his Broadway debut as Hotspur - and Hawke himself essayed the role in an acclaimed production at Lincoln Center at the same age. The other thread involves Harding's disintegrating marriage to his beautiful and acclaimed pop star wife - and Hawke was going through a painful divorce with HIS superstar wife Uma Thurman at the same time also.
One hopes all the bad behavior of Harding is NOT based on fact, but most probably SOME of it is. But not everything seems based on real life - the Falstaff in the book is a blowhard actor named Virgil who is immensely fat ... and bears few traces of Kevin Kline, who played it in Hawke's own 2003 production. Likewise, his Lady Percy was the estimable Audra McDonald, and she doesn't seem to fit her fictional counterpart here also.
But there is more to the book than just separating fact from fiction. This is an honest to god page turner that benefits from Hawke's insider knowledge of what goes into putting on a major production, and contains some wise and world-weary contemplations on both the profession and being human in general, My minor quibble is that such philosophizing, especially in the final section, gets a might ponderous at times, and I would have liked much more on the rehearsal period - as it is, the book jumps from first rehearsal to opening preview, and since it is a short novel (199 pages), could well have been padded out with details on that missing period. Be that as it may, I thoroughly enjoyed Hawke's tome, and am tempted to read at least some of his backlist.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Hawke is at least as accomplished a writer as he is an actor, since this is his fifth published novel, and he's been nominated for two Oscars for his screenwriting efforts. But I had never read any of his earlier works, so was pleasantly amazed at just how excellent this book is. At least some of it is autobiographical, since this circles around a production of Shakespeare's Henry IV in which 32 y. o. protagonist, bad boy film actor William Harding is making his Broadway debut as Hotspur - and Hawke himself essayed the role in an acclaimed production at Lincoln Center at the same age. The other thread involves Harding's disintegrating marriage to his beautiful and acclaimed pop star wife - and Hawke was going through a painful divorce with HIS superstar wife Uma Thurman at the same time also.
One hopes all the bad behavior of Harding is NOT based on fact, but most probably SOME of it is. But not everything seems based on real life - the Falstaff in the book is a blowhard actor named Virgil who is immensely fat ... and bears few traces of Kevin Kline, who played it in Hawke's own 2003 production. Likewise, his Lady Percy was the estimable Audra McDonald, and she doesn't seem to fit her fictional counterpart here also.
But there is more to the book than just separating fact from fiction. This is an honest to god page turner that benefits from Hawke's insider knowledge of what goes into putting on a major production, and contains some wise and world-weary contemplations on both the profession and being human in general, My minor quibble is that such philosophizing, especially in the final section, gets a might ponderous at times, and I would have liked much more on the rehearsal period - as it is, the book jumps from first rehearsal to opening preview, and since it is a short novel (199 pages), could well have been padded out with details on that missing period. Be that as it may, I thoroughly enjoyed Hawke's tome, and am tempted to read at least some of his backlist.
January 25, 2023
Since "Reality Bites," as a young teen, I've been a fan of Ethan Hawke. His angsty 90's vibe was swoon-worthy. Hawke's first book, "The Hottest State" solidified his talent. Not only was he a brilliant actor, but a talented writer.
A Bright Ray of Darkness, is an unhinged story of a famous actor married to a rock star at the cusp of divorce. His story is played out in different acts and scenes as he performs Henry IV at the theater every night. His life is chaos--between wanting to be the best actor, but not wanting to be pompous, between wanting a divorce, but losing his ego, between loving his children, and deconstructing the relationship he had with his own father--we have a layered, complex story.
This novel was a difficult read. Brutally honest, dark, chaotic experiences that felt uncomfortable. This speaks to the skill of the author. Hawke writes clean, crisp prose, and doesn't shy away from sharing the characters inner revelations, often aggressive.
Hawke spends a lot of time delving into the scenes of the protagonist on stage and the rest of the time ruminating over his broken marriage and how to handle his two children. So much of this story sounds autobiographical. What I read online, he takes parts of his life and implants it into the book. I couldn't shake the feeing of what was real and what wasn't..
A deep dive into the mind of a A-list actor trying to gather the nerves of celebrity-dom and life.
3.5/5 stars
A Bright Ray of Darkness, is an unhinged story of a famous actor married to a rock star at the cusp of divorce. His story is played out in different acts and scenes as he performs Henry IV at the theater every night. His life is chaos--between wanting to be the best actor, but not wanting to be pompous, between wanting a divorce, but losing his ego, between loving his children, and deconstructing the relationship he had with his own father--we have a layered, complex story.
This novel was a difficult read. Brutally honest, dark, chaotic experiences that felt uncomfortable. This speaks to the skill of the author. Hawke writes clean, crisp prose, and doesn't shy away from sharing the characters inner revelations, often aggressive.
Hawke spends a lot of time delving into the scenes of the protagonist on stage and the rest of the time ruminating over his broken marriage and how to handle his two children. So much of this story sounds autobiographical. What I read online, he takes parts of his life and implants it into the book. I couldn't shake the feeing of what was real and what wasn't..
...I figured I'd hit some plateau that was adulthood---where I believed things would just stay level for about forty years while I would do great work and have interesting experiences---then rather uneventfully I would begin to decay and die. But this was just not the case. I was not on a plateau. I was descending, tripping, stumbling, and burning. My whole being, or personality or self or whatever is supposed to be the seat of me, or the soul behind my eyes, was being boiled away in a giant iron cauldron like the flavor leaving a carrot
A deep dive into the mind of a A-list actor trying to gather the nerves of celebrity-dom and life.
3.5/5 stars
July 13, 2023
Ok I made it to the end. And there’s one brilliant passage on pg 127 (last paragraph) which superbly described the trepidation and guilt many of us carry with us in some particular situations, but that was it for me with Hawke’s return to novel writing.
I like the guy and really enjoyed The Hottest State and Ash Wednesday when I last read them 20 years ago or so. But it seems only one of us has moved on. And the sexist portrayal of almost all female characters in this makes like Me Too never happened.
I have no issue with unlikable characters (enjoy Bukowski/Henry Chinaski and Holden Caulfield etc.) but these are unbelievable caricatures as well as being unlikeable. I really don’t care about any of them. The kids in it are particularly unrealistic like the author never had a daughter who ended up on Stranger Things or, frankly has ever even listened to children. Perhaps he’s trying for a poetic interpretation but I don’t think so.
Disappointed.
I like the guy and really enjoyed The Hottest State and Ash Wednesday when I last read them 20 years ago or so. But it seems only one of us has moved on. And the sexist portrayal of almost all female characters in this makes like Me Too never happened.
I have no issue with unlikable characters (enjoy Bukowski/Henry Chinaski and Holden Caulfield etc.) but these are unbelievable caricatures as well as being unlikeable. I really don’t care about any of them. The kids in it are particularly unrealistic like the author never had a daughter who ended up on Stranger Things or, frankly has ever even listened to children. Perhaps he’s trying for a poetic interpretation but I don’t think so.
Disappointed.
February 13, 2021
Passion! Poetry! Punchlines! Pussy! Holy literary pugilism Batman!
I’m not gonna say the book isn’t entertaining ‘cause it is, but man-oh-man I wish EH would get out of his own way.
There are some brilliant moments about art/acting and partnering/parenting that are honest and touching, but the rambling oft cocaine fueled monologues felt self conscious and the sex scenes actually made me angry, I’ll never forget “…her arms were so thin” Ugh.
Is this a memoir or fiction or just a tug of war between the two with the occasional punch in the face of sexual aggression? Those questions left me scratching my head, and turning pages.
I’m not gonna say the book isn’t entertaining ‘cause it is, but man-oh-man I wish EH would get out of his own way.
There are some brilliant moments about art/acting and partnering/parenting that are honest and touching, but the rambling oft cocaine fueled monologues felt self conscious and the sex scenes actually made me angry, I’ll never forget “…her arms were so thin” Ugh.
Is this a memoir or fiction or just a tug of war between the two with the occasional punch in the face of sexual aggression? Those questions left me scratching my head, and turning pages.
January 29, 2021
Ethan Hawke's newest novel is a deep exploration of the philosophical thoughts of a sensitive man. It's about an actor, William, who is performing in Shakepeare's Henry IV on Broadway. He typically does movies, but he's determined to show that he's a "real" actor with real depth. But at the same time, his marriage is falling apart. From the rehearsals to performances to the teardown, we see William in the show and learning in life. It's no doubt that Ethan Hawke has real talent as a writer - my only question now is how much is fact and how much is fiction?? I doubt we'll ever truly know. But it's a fantastic read that gave me a lot of food for thought.
January 26, 2021
5+ out of 5, I was almost ready to give it a 6 and call it one of my all-time faves except for a few really truly glaring moments of mediocre prose.
But holy moly. This book is astounding in its ability to capture the visceral realities of being onstage and performing, particularly Shakespeare. The story is that of a typical White Male Fuck-Up Novel: 32-year-old movie star has slept with someone not-his-wife, and his wife (a Gaga/Beyonce-level pop star) is now leaving him as the tabloids tear him apart. And he's making his Broadway debut in an almost-four-ish-hour HENRY IV.
The way Hawke writes William's performances, the way he engages with the text and depicts so cannily how it feels to be onstage and have the world in your hand -- the way that the world, in fact, recedes as you step fully into the character, the way that your scene partners can respond to you and change what it is you are doing for the better... gosh, it is something spectacular.
And then the rest of the book, the moments outside of the theater scenes, are mainly one-on-one interactions or conversations between William and other people: other actors, his former best friend, women he picks up. There's definitely some male fantasy stuff happening re: the women in this book and there are problems to pick at this -- but also, the relationship particularly between William and the woman playing Lady Percy speaks to a depth of understanding about showmances that people outside of the theater can't ever really comprehend.
I don't know what to say except that I could ramble on forever. This book spoke searingly, brighly and darkly, right to my core. I loved it, flaws and all, just like I still (it turns out) love the theater.
But holy moly. This book is astounding in its ability to capture the visceral realities of being onstage and performing, particularly Shakespeare. The story is that of a typical White Male Fuck-Up Novel: 32-year-old movie star has slept with someone not-his-wife, and his wife (a Gaga/Beyonce-level pop star) is now leaving him as the tabloids tear him apart. And he's making his Broadway debut in an almost-four-ish-hour HENRY IV.
The way Hawke writes William's performances, the way he engages with the text and depicts so cannily how it feels to be onstage and have the world in your hand -- the way that the world, in fact, recedes as you step fully into the character, the way that your scene partners can respond to you and change what it is you are doing for the better... gosh, it is something spectacular.
And then the rest of the book, the moments outside of the theater scenes, are mainly one-on-one interactions or conversations between William and other people: other actors, his former best friend, women he picks up. There's definitely some male fantasy stuff happening re: the women in this book and there are problems to pick at this -- but also, the relationship particularly between William and the woman playing Lady Percy speaks to a depth of understanding about showmances that people outside of the theater can't ever really comprehend.
I don't know what to say except that I could ramble on forever. This book spoke searingly, brighly and darkly, right to my core. I loved it, flaws and all, just like I still (it turns out) love the theater.
October 4, 2021
Was für ein tolles Cover. Was für ein wunderschöner Titel! Und was für eine unterhaltsame, verblüffend gute Geschichte. Ich war sehr überrascht, dass Ethan Hawke so gut schreiben kann und eine Geschichte über einen weißen Mann doch überzeugend und passend herausgearbeitet hat.
Der Hauptcharakter ist ein Filmstar, der mit Anfang 30 alles zu verlieren scheint: Seine Frau (ein Mega-Star) droht mit Scheidung, er wirkt verloren in einer Theaterproduktion und verliert sich fast selbst in der Dunkelheit. Ich finde die Geschichte lebt vor allem durch die Kulisse und die unzähligen Nebencharakteren, die so lebhaft und menschlich dargestellt wurden. Es gibt keinen Charakter, der in der Geschichte verschwendet wird, und jeder hat seine Zeilen in der Geschichte verdient. Dass die Theaterproduktion und die Proben so detailliert in der Geschichte erfasst wurden, fand ich fantastisch und hat geholfen die Mentalität eines Schauspielers zu verstehen. Ich denke es zeigt sich hier deutlich, dass Ethan Hawke selbst Schauspieler ist.
Es gibt Bücher, selten aber es gibt diese, wo man sich denkt, dass es als Hörspiel, Fernsehserie oder Film besser rüberkommen würde. Diese Geschichte war an sich sehr spannend und das Ende hat mich auch berührt, auch wenn es etwas kitschig war. Ich konnte mir jede Szene vor Augen vorstellen, also hat Ethan Hawke echt einen guten Job geleistet. Aber trotzdem kann ich mir das Ganze doch besser als einen Film vorstellen.
Oder noch besser als Theaterstück; es wäre der Wahnsinn, vor allem wenn man die Inszenierung des Theaters tatsächlich auch so umsetzen könnte.
** Dieses Buch wurde mir über NetGalley als E-Book zur Verfügung gestellt **
Der Hauptcharakter ist ein Filmstar, der mit Anfang 30 alles zu verlieren scheint: Seine Frau (ein Mega-Star) droht mit Scheidung, er wirkt verloren in einer Theaterproduktion und verliert sich fast selbst in der Dunkelheit. Ich finde die Geschichte lebt vor allem durch die Kulisse und die unzähligen Nebencharakteren, die so lebhaft und menschlich dargestellt wurden. Es gibt keinen Charakter, der in der Geschichte verschwendet wird, und jeder hat seine Zeilen in der Geschichte verdient. Dass die Theaterproduktion und die Proben so detailliert in der Geschichte erfasst wurden, fand ich fantastisch und hat geholfen die Mentalität eines Schauspielers zu verstehen. Ich denke es zeigt sich hier deutlich, dass Ethan Hawke selbst Schauspieler ist.
Es gibt Bücher, selten aber es gibt diese, wo man sich denkt, dass es als Hörspiel, Fernsehserie oder Film besser rüberkommen würde. Diese Geschichte war an sich sehr spannend und das Ende hat mich auch berührt, auch wenn es etwas kitschig war. Ich konnte mir jede Szene vor Augen vorstellen, also hat Ethan Hawke echt einen guten Job geleistet. Aber trotzdem kann ich mir das Ganze doch besser als einen Film vorstellen.
Oder noch besser als Theaterstück; es wäre der Wahnsinn, vor allem wenn man die Inszenierung des Theaters tatsächlich auch so umsetzen könnte.
** Dieses Buch wurde mir über NetGalley als E-Book zur Verfügung gestellt **
August 11, 2025
Gran sorpresa, seguramente la habría descartado de no ser por la reseña de Enrique. Muy bien construida en su estilo de "auto ficción", no he podido evitar pensar que pudiera ser más biográfica que ficticia, tal vez por ello está tan bien lograda, con un tono sincero, valiente y muy expresivo, y un lenguaje directo, contundente, crudo, sin filtros, a veces visceral.
Todo confluye para conseguir una sensación de autenticidad.
A través del protagonista, estrella de Hollywood que, tras ser descubierto engañando a su esposa, se encuentra en crisis personal, explora temas como la celebridad, el divorcio y sobre todo el teatro como poder sanador que le sostiene.
Se estructura en cinco actos a modo la dramaturgia clásica, y la ambientación en que recrea su entorno es excepcional, la fama, la desesperación, su rol familiar, y las referencias al teatro para mí han sido lo mejor. Me atraparon los pasajes sobre el teatro y el mundo artístico, probablemente por la manera tan auténtica en que transmite esas sensaciones, imagino que consecuencia de una experiencia personal muy vivida.
En general esa autenticidad que comentaba aporta credibilidad y profundidad emocional, tanto a los pasajes sobre el teatro y la vida artística como a los aspectos más íntimos de su vida personal y familiar.
Todo confluye para conseguir una sensación de autenticidad.
A través del protagonista, estrella de Hollywood que, tras ser descubierto engañando a su esposa, se encuentra en crisis personal, explora temas como la celebridad, el divorcio y sobre todo el teatro como poder sanador que le sostiene.
Se estructura en cinco actos a modo la dramaturgia clásica, y la ambientación en que recrea su entorno es excepcional, la fama, la desesperación, su rol familiar, y las referencias al teatro para mí han sido lo mejor. Me atraparon los pasajes sobre el teatro y el mundo artístico, probablemente por la manera tan auténtica en que transmite esas sensaciones, imagino que consecuencia de una experiencia personal muy vivida.
En general esa autenticidad que comentaba aporta credibilidad y profundidad emocional, tanto a los pasajes sobre el teatro y la vida artística como a los aspectos más íntimos de su vida personal y familiar.
March 28, 2021
Just brilliant and I wondered how much was autobiographical.
A surprisingly good writer, I will look out for more by this talented actor.
A surprisingly good writer, I will look out for more by this talented actor.
June 21, 2022
Birdman the book
March 1, 2021
I just love Ethan Hawke books.
March 10, 2026
Cuando tengo un bloqueo lector, me doy un paseo por las estanterías de algunos lectores que sigo por aquí. Vi este libro en la estantería de Enrique y leí su reseña. Vamos allá, si a el le gusta....
Pues a mi también me ha gustado. Me ha durado 4 tardes. Cuatro ratos sumergida en las bambalinas de un teatro, en un camerino dividido en dos, entre el caos y el orden. A veces los espacios que habitamos solo son nuestro propio reflejo. Ethan escribe bien, se retrata a si mismo y yo diría que no se deja en demasiado buen lugar y no estoy hablando de sus actos sino de lo que a mi me ha dejado ver detrás de sus frases.
Siempre que escribimos en primera persona y aunque intentemos novelar nuestra vida, nuestro yo reluce, brilla en este caso en la oscuridad de las palabras. Hay párrafos que son tratados de filosofía de la vida.
Se nota que es un libro escrito en el futuro de su historia, un libro sobre un momento de la vida, que le ha enseñado muchas cosas, le ha " abierto el corazón" para poder volver a empezar, después de haber retrocedido en la incertidumbre.
Me ha encantado como ha enfrentado la filosofía de lo absurdo, con el positivismo del propio escritor. Como describe los egos, el propio y los ajenos, quizá más consciente de los últimos, o tal vez no, tal vez solo quiere retratarse a si mismo así.
Hay una parte, una gran parte de ternura en el libro. Sus niños, la perrita, su padre...todas esas piezas que conforman el puzle casi de cualquier persona.
Es una lectura ágil, liberadora, con una prosa trabajada y una cadencia que te sumerge durante ratos en otras vidas, en otras habitaciones... todo desaparece, igual que desaparece la vida cuando estás sobre un teatro.
Pues a mi también me ha gustado. Me ha durado 4 tardes. Cuatro ratos sumergida en las bambalinas de un teatro, en un camerino dividido en dos, entre el caos y el orden. A veces los espacios que habitamos solo son nuestro propio reflejo. Ethan escribe bien, se retrata a si mismo y yo diría que no se deja en demasiado buen lugar y no estoy hablando de sus actos sino de lo que a mi me ha dejado ver detrás de sus frases.
Siempre que escribimos en primera persona y aunque intentemos novelar nuestra vida, nuestro yo reluce, brilla en este caso en la oscuridad de las palabras. Hay párrafos que son tratados de filosofía de la vida.
Se nota que es un libro escrito en el futuro de su historia, un libro sobre un momento de la vida, que le ha enseñado muchas cosas, le ha " abierto el corazón" para poder volver a empezar, después de haber retrocedido en la incertidumbre.
Me ha encantado como ha enfrentado la filosofía de lo absurdo, con el positivismo del propio escritor. Como describe los egos, el propio y los ajenos, quizá más consciente de los últimos, o tal vez no, tal vez solo quiere retratarse a si mismo así.
Hay una parte, una gran parte de ternura en el libro. Sus niños, la perrita, su padre...todas esas piezas que conforman el puzle casi de cualquier persona.
Es una lectura ágil, liberadora, con una prosa trabajada y una cadencia que te sumerge durante ratos en otras vidas, en otras habitaciones... todo desaparece, igual que desaparece la vida cuando estás sobre un teatro.
December 7, 2025
I would read anything by Ethan Hawke, and this story of a failing actor in his 30s, taking one last shot at the theatre (in the form of Shakespeare's Henry plays) to see what his measure is, is about as captivating as anything else I have read this year. Hawke narrates this himself, and I highly recommend listening to it.
January 28, 2023
I liked the Shakespeare/Theater angle but the novel's climax was reached when the narrator (Hawke) has a boil lanced.
December 25, 2023
Najčešće sam pogrešio kad sam uzeo da čitam nekakve kvazi- ili prave autobiografije poznatih ljudi koji misle da moraju nešto da kažu o svom životu. Čak i kad ima tog materijala, najčešće je to ispričano potpuno prosečno. Razni glumci, reditelji, sportisti, voditelji, umetnici, retko se desi da imaju talenta za pisanu reč. Pretpostavljam da većinu tih knjiga i nisu napisali oni, već neki ghost-pisci, novinari...
Stephen Fry je jedan od izuzetaka. Njegovi podkastovi su ekstremno zabavni, što me je nateralo da čitam trilogiju na temu grčkih mitova i heroja. Odlična je, preporučujem je drugima već neko vreme. Drugi je sad Itan Hok.
Ovo je roman, mada je teško u ulozi naratora ne zamišljati Hoka, a Umu Turman kao njegovu ženu. Selebriti bračni par, neverstvo, razvod, filmski glumac koji se posvećuje pozorištu... mnogo je uzeto iz njegovog života, ali meni to ne smeta. Priča zbog toga zvuči autentično, često je zabavna, a delovi o teatru su puni strasti. Daju i nekakav uvid u funkcionisanje američkog teatra.
Stephen Fry je jedan od izuzetaka. Njegovi podkastovi su ekstremno zabavni, što me je nateralo da čitam trilogiju na temu grčkih mitova i heroja. Odlična je, preporučujem je drugima već neko vreme. Drugi je sad Itan Hok.
Ovo je roman, mada je teško u ulozi naratora ne zamišljati Hoka, a Umu Turman kao njegovu ženu. Selebriti bračni par, neverstvo, razvod, filmski glumac koji se posvećuje pozorištu... mnogo je uzeto iz njegovog života, ali meni to ne smeta. Priča zbog toga zvuči autentično, često je zabavna, a delovi o teatru su puni strasti. Daju i nekakav uvid u funkcionisanje američkog teatra.
June 16, 2022
Najnepretenciozniji i najiskreniji roman koji sam pročitao u poslednje vreme. Verovatno ne najkvalitetniji, ali najdraži roman koji ću pročitati ove godine.
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