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Baggage: Tales from a Fully Packed Life: Alan Cumming
An intimate look at the making of a man, an actor, an advocate--and most importantly--a happy human being. A wonderful book that is funny, honest, fearless, and generous in its vulnerability. --Douglas Stuart, Booker Prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain
There is absolutely no logical reason why I am here. The life trajectory my nationality and class and circumstances portended for me was not even remotely close to the one I now navigate. But logic is a science and living is an art.
The release I felt in writing my first memoir, Not My Father's Son, was matched only by how my speaking out empowered so many to engage with their own trauma. I was reminded of the power of my words and the absolute duty of authenticity.
But...
No one ever fully recovers from their past. There is no cure for it. You just learn to manage and prioritize it. I believe the second you feel you have triumphed or overcome something - an abuse, an injury to the body or the mind, an addiction, a character flaw, a habit, a person - you have merely decided to stop being vigilant and embraced denial as your modus operandi. And that is what this book is about, and for: to remind you not to buy in to the Hollywood ending.
Ironically maybe, much of Baggage chronicles my life in Hollywood and how, since I recovered from a nervous breakdown at 28, work has repeatedly whisked me away from personal calamities to sets and stages around the world. It is also about marriage(s): starting with the break-up of my first (to a woman) and ending with the ascension to my second (to a man) with many kissed toads in between! But in everything, each failed relationship or encounter with a legend (Liza! X Men! Gore Vidal! Kubrick! Spice Girls!), in every bad decision or moment of sensual joy I have endeavored to show what I have learned and how I've become who I am today: a happy, flawed, vulnerable, fearless middle-aged man, with a lot of baggage.
There is absolutely no logical reason why I am here. The life trajectory my nationality and class and circumstances portended for me was not even remotely close to the one I now navigate. But logic is a science and living is an art.
The release I felt in writing my first memoir, Not My Father's Son, was matched only by how my speaking out empowered so many to engage with their own trauma. I was reminded of the power of my words and the absolute duty of authenticity.
But...
No one ever fully recovers from their past. There is no cure for it. You just learn to manage and prioritize it. I believe the second you feel you have triumphed or overcome something - an abuse, an injury to the body or the mind, an addiction, a character flaw, a habit, a person - you have merely decided to stop being vigilant and embraced denial as your modus operandi. And that is what this book is about, and for: to remind you not to buy in to the Hollywood ending.
Ironically maybe, much of Baggage chronicles my life in Hollywood and how, since I recovered from a nervous breakdown at 28, work has repeatedly whisked me away from personal calamities to sets and stages around the world. It is also about marriage(s): starting with the break-up of my first (to a woman) and ending with the ascension to my second (to a man) with many kissed toads in between! But in everything, each failed relationship or encounter with a legend (Liza! X Men! Gore Vidal! Kubrick! Spice Girls!), in every bad decision or moment of sensual joy I have endeavored to show what I have learned and how I've become who I am today: a happy, flawed, vulnerable, fearless middle-aged man, with a lot of baggage.
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First published October 18, 2021
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About the author
Alan Cumming
72 books776 followersAlan Cumming, OBE, is a Scottish-American stage, television and film actor. His roles have included Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler in X2: X-Men United, and Fegan Floop in the Spy Kids trilogy. He has also appeared in independent films like The Anniversary Party, which he wrote, directed and starred; and Ali Selim's Sweet Land for which he won an Independent Spirit award as producer.
His London stage appearances include Hamlet, Madman in Dario Fo's Accidental Death of an Anarchist for which he received an an Olivier award, the lead in Martin Sherman's Bent and as Dionysus in The National Theatre of Scotland's The Bacchae. On Broadway he has appeared as Mac the Knife in The Threepenny Opera and the Emcee in Cabaret for which he won the Tony in 1998.
Cumming has also written a novel, Tommy's Tale, contributed to many publications, and performs with his band I Bought A Blue Car Today on a regular basis.
His London stage appearances include Hamlet, Madman in Dario Fo's Accidental Death of an Anarchist for which he received an an Olivier award, the lead in Martin Sherman's Bent and as Dionysus in The National Theatre of Scotland's The Bacchae. On Broadway he has appeared as Mac the Knife in The Threepenny Opera and the Emcee in Cabaret for which he won the Tony in 1998.
Cumming has also written a novel, Tommy's Tale, contributed to many publications, and performs with his band I Bought A Blue Car Today on a regular basis.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 519 reviews
January 18, 2023
I am quite amused at some reactions from other on-line "reviewers" who think this is lightweight, fluffy, and presents Mr. Cumming as a man who undeservedly thinks highly of himself. Why else read an autobiography if not to learn about the subject themselves? I can only say, that is their opinion but possibly, they haven't seen him perform. Witnessed his range. Been impressed by his honesty and generosity, introspection, kindness, and evolving strengths in overcoming some issues. The book is subtitled "Tales from a fully packed life," which couldn't be more accurate. He's met Everyone, counts them as intimates, and for someone who has played some pretty iconic roles and made them his own, lovingly says that his favorite movie acting experience was Spice World, presenting a sweet portrait of each of the Spice Girls. As one who has had the pleasure of seeing his turn as Cabaret's Master of Ceremonies three times as well as having him smile into my face as he signed one of his books, I can vouch that in person he radiates charisma, vulnerability, warmth. And I love his choice of his trademark glasses which he shares in this book.
January 29, 2022
I admit that I am not usually interested in autobiographies, but I love Alan Cumming. After listening to him narrate this audiobook, I still find him charming and interesting, but at times this felt like a slog through role after role. There were some amusing anecdotes and a lot of introspection. He must keep a very detailed diary or he has an amazing memory for minor incidents involving former lovers or famous people.
July 7, 2022
5 Stars for Baggage: Tales from a Fully Packed Life (audiobook) by Alan Cumming read by the author.
This was a lot of fun. I read Not My Father’s Son and it was rather dark so this was a nice treat for me. I enjoyed learning about how AC got into acting and how he moved through theater, TV, and movies. His personal life was kind of fascinating too.
And can you believe that he has gotten to dance with Mikhail Baryshnikov and the Spicy Girls. He really has some great stories.
This was a lot of fun. I read Not My Father’s Son and it was rather dark so this was a nice treat for me. I enjoyed learning about how AC got into acting and how he moved through theater, TV, and movies. His personal life was kind of fascinating too.
And can you believe that he has gotten to dance with Mikhail Baryshnikov and the Spicy Girls. He really has some great stories.
October 31, 2021
*audiobook read by the author, audible credit*
Can I keep Alan?:)
Had a good time 🌃 listening to him talk about his life. I'm amazed and glad for him he came out as good as he did. Not a perfect guy but a good person.
I was excited when he talked about playing Nightcrawler but had no idea about everything that went down behind the scenes. My jaw dropped a few times. (I didn't pay attention to that stuff back then and never looked it up as an adult).
I don't know if be would play Nightcrawler again but I would love to see him in another Xmen film.
Would highly recommend 👌 👍:)
Can I keep Alan?:)
Had a good time 🌃 listening to him talk about his life. I'm amazed and glad for him he came out as good as he did. Not a perfect guy but a good person.
I was excited when he talked about playing Nightcrawler but had no idea about everything that went down behind the scenes. My jaw dropped a few times. (I didn't pay attention to that stuff back then and never looked it up as an adult).
I don't know if be would play Nightcrawler again but I would love to see him in another Xmen film.
Would highly recommend 👌 👍:)
September 24, 2021
Baggage is Alan Cumming's memoir about being himself, an actor in the 90s and early aughts.
Cumming was a young boy in Scotland when he realized he had a knack for acting that could take him beyond the stages of Edinburgh and Glasgow. His recounting of his acting experiences takes him from the stages of London - where he learned to embrace his Scottishness - to the stages of New York's Broadway. On Broadway he became a breakaway star as the Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret and eventually would become a regular in a number of Hollywood films.
Alan Cumming always seemed to me to be an edgy, interesting, and unique queer figure. But this book made me realize that he thinks far higher of himself than is warranted. Much of Baggage is Cumming going on about how famous he is . . . over and over again. There are nuggets of the book where Cumming explores the people that populate his life - Gore Vidal, Liza Minelli, and his partner - where this annoying self-indulgence disappears. But far too much of the book is the product of self-promotion to make this memoir memorable.
Cumming was a young boy in Scotland when he realized he had a knack for acting that could take him beyond the stages of Edinburgh and Glasgow. His recounting of his acting experiences takes him from the stages of London - where he learned to embrace his Scottishness - to the stages of New York's Broadway. On Broadway he became a breakaway star as the Master of Ceremonies in Cabaret and eventually would become a regular in a number of Hollywood films.
Alan Cumming always seemed to me to be an edgy, interesting, and unique queer figure. But this book made me realize that he thinks far higher of himself than is warranted. Much of Baggage is Cumming going on about how famous he is . . . over and over again. There are nuggets of the book where Cumming explores the people that populate his life - Gore Vidal, Liza Minelli, and his partner - where this annoying self-indulgence disappears. But far too much of the book is the product of self-promotion to make this memoir memorable.
November 17, 2021
I tend to gravitate toward a particular type of celebrity memoir. Not the tell-all, not the exploration of trauma, and not the serious tome. I like the light ones, and I like them on audio where you get the celeb's personality as part of the package. This fit the bill.
I purposely avoided Cumming's previous memoir about his abusive father for the reasons given above. (I generally avoid most memoirs about abuse, tbh.) But I've always liked Cumming, particularly his role in Cabaret and eventually being one of my favorites on The Good Wife. This book starts when he's already become relatively successful as an actor, from the early 90's forward, as he began to take on more film roles. It is a natural starting point for him, because it was the time where he really tapped into the issues with his father that he wrote about in his previous book, and decided to take his life in a different direction.
The book itself follows love affairs and movie productions. It doesn't always go in order and he can be both very open and quite coy. Really, it's a book for people who like him. (I noted a Goodreads review complaining that he thought quite highly of himself. Well yes! Celebrities writing about themselves generally do!) There were plenty of movies and plays here I wasn't all that familiar with, and many I'd forgotten he was in, but I just liked having him around as I listened. The Scottish accent and the occasional extra-long-rolled-r alone were enough to satisfy me.
The one thing that surprised me is how rarely Cumming mentioned his status as an openly queer actor, which was quite unusual in the late 90's and the 00's. I really wondered how it impacted his career. He never mentions coming out in this book, though he is always frank about his queer identity and its importance to him.
I purposely avoided Cumming's previous memoir about his abusive father for the reasons given above. (I generally avoid most memoirs about abuse, tbh.) But I've always liked Cumming, particularly his role in Cabaret and eventually being one of my favorites on The Good Wife. This book starts when he's already become relatively successful as an actor, from the early 90's forward, as he began to take on more film roles. It is a natural starting point for him, because it was the time where he really tapped into the issues with his father that he wrote about in his previous book, and decided to take his life in a different direction.
The book itself follows love affairs and movie productions. It doesn't always go in order and he can be both very open and quite coy. Really, it's a book for people who like him. (I noted a Goodreads review complaining that he thought quite highly of himself. Well yes! Celebrities writing about themselves generally do!) There were plenty of movies and plays here I wasn't all that familiar with, and many I'd forgotten he was in, but I just liked having him around as I listened. The Scottish accent and the occasional extra-long-rolled-r alone were enough to satisfy me.
The one thing that surprised me is how rarely Cumming mentioned his status as an openly queer actor, which was quite unusual in the late 90's and the 00's. I really wondered how it impacted his career. He never mentions coming out in this book, though he is always frank about his queer identity and its importance to him.
November 17, 2021
I have to start by saying that this is a very different book to Not My Father’s Son. I thought that was a truly unique and captivating celebrity memoir, in that it at times felt more like a work of fiction. His storytelling ability is really second to none.
Baggage is much more what you would expect from a celebrity memoir; he describes his career to date with a lot of detail in certain parts, some gossip, some fun anecdotes, and regular updates on his emotional state over the years as he dealt with the trauma of his childhood abuse.
It’s both light and fluffy, and at times heavy, and very real.
I listened on audio; his voice is truly a balm.
I really enjoyed this and didn’t want to finish it; I think I could happily keep listening to Alan’s stories, but I think you need to go into this seeing it as a fresh book, separate to his first. They’re very different memoirs and comparing them doesn’t really work, in my opinion.
Baggage is much more what you would expect from a celebrity memoir; he describes his career to date with a lot of detail in certain parts, some gossip, some fun anecdotes, and regular updates on his emotional state over the years as he dealt with the trauma of his childhood abuse.
It’s both light and fluffy, and at times heavy, and very real.
I listened on audio; his voice is truly a balm.
I really enjoyed this and didn’t want to finish it; I think I could happily keep listening to Alan’s stories, but I think you need to go into this seeing it as a fresh book, separate to his first. They’re very different memoirs and comparing them doesn’t really work, in my opinion.
March 30, 2023
4 stars
Being a long time fan of Alan Cumming, I have now read two of his three nonfiction books. He is open, honest and telling in his life story. This book details more of his life after he leaves home and his abusive father. He doesn't shirk the facts of his life and tells not only of his achievements and loves, but of his mistakes and anguish.
We follow Alan through the 1990's and early 2000's in this book, as he glided between both continents and acting jobs. His crazy wild years are verified, along with some of his romantic exploits. Work and fellow actors has consumed most of his life and he had to virtually call a halt for relaxation, after sometimes doing three separate jobs at one time - flying across the world day after day to maintain his commitments.
This is a man of many many skills and he has finally begun to except his lot with the courage and self confidence that was taken from him as a child. His life told in his words paints a vivid, remarkable, always changing portrait of a man of strength and ambition. Cheers to him for finally knowing and accepting exactly who he is.
Being a long time fan of Alan Cumming, I have now read two of his three nonfiction books. He is open, honest and telling in his life story. This book details more of his life after he leaves home and his abusive father. He doesn't shirk the facts of his life and tells not only of his achievements and loves, but of his mistakes and anguish.
We follow Alan through the 1990's and early 2000's in this book, as he glided between both continents and acting jobs. His crazy wild years are verified, along with some of his romantic exploits. Work and fellow actors has consumed most of his life and he had to virtually call a halt for relaxation, after sometimes doing three separate jobs at one time - flying across the world day after day to maintain his commitments.
This is a man of many many skills and he has finally begun to except his lot with the courage and self confidence that was taken from him as a child. His life told in his words paints a vivid, remarkable, always changing portrait of a man of strength and ambition. Cheers to him for finally knowing and accepting exactly who he is.
December 6, 2021
I'm not sure why I consider myself a big fan of Alan Cumming. I think I've only seen one movie he was in ("Goldeneye" and I don't recall the film all that well or the role he played.) I never watched "The Good Wife" on TV or saw him in the theater. (I do watch and enjoy his occasional introductions on PBS's Masterpiece Mystery.) But after reading his incredible memoir "Not My Father's Son" which was so disturbing and brutally honest about his upbringing in Scotland by an abusive father, I became a fan. When I saw his second memoir "Baggage" was out, I grabbed it immediately. In a way it picks up where his first autobiography left off and follows his career as an adult actor, writer and activist. While reading it, I felt much the same way I did reading his first, like I was sitting in a room alone with Alan chatting with me as an old friend. The subject matter is mostly lighter fare, much like other celebrity memoirs and you get some inside glimpses into Hollywood and the London and Broadway stage. You also get a little TMI on Alan's personal life (fair warning, it's often on the bawdy side to put it mildly.) It's a very enjoyable read, once again very open and honest. I don't do audiobooks but heard that he reads this himself, I think that would just add to the charm. Either format, it's an enjoyable account of a very interesting life and career thus far.
January 5, 2022
I wanted to like this. I have long admired Cumming's bravery and innovation on the stage and screen, as well as in his personal life. But this celebrity dish memoir left much to be desired--where was the introspection, the insight, the emotion? Instead of examining his charmed life and sharing something personal with us, he chooses instead to celebrity name-drop at a rate that almost had me laughing out loud. I was wondering when he wouldn't begin talking about that one time he had cocktails at some trendy NYC bar with Jesus Christ, the Buddha, and Mohammed. Sorry, Alan, but this 'performance' was forgettable.
February 4, 2022
A bit of a let down after the fantastic “Not my Father’s Son” . While Cumming has seen and done a lot of great and interesting things (Bryan Singer’s abuse, bizarre eating habits of the stars, being in Manhattan during 9/11) the book just doesn’t come together and is a bit of a mess. His early stories including some truly bizarre photo comics from a teen magazine are great. Unfortunately the book goes down hill after he becomes a big star thanks to Cabaret (dear god dies he go on about Cabaret). Much of the humility from the first book is lost here. Cumming is now famous and gets to do lots of cool stuff with other famous people. On top of all that, Josie and the Pussycats only gets a paragraph!
April 8, 2023
interesting and something funny memoir from Scottish actor about stories from childhood in Scotland, working in Dundee and some of his acting,
February 9, 2022
Alan Cumming is like a gay Scottish Ado Annie. He just cain't say no.
The dude certainly has a flair for the dramatic.
3.25 stars
June 23, 2022
I read Alan Cummings first memoir Not My Father’s Son and loved it. It was very moving. So when I heard he had written this one, I got it from the library as soon as I could. This memoir has a lot more show biz stories which I enjoyed. It just isn’t quite as good as his first book. I can still recommend it though, especially for fans of Alans. He’s a good writer and has led an interesting life.
April 23, 2022
My mom recommended this one, and I'm glad I listened.
I often skim reviews after I read a book. And I came upon one that said all Alan Cumming does in Baggage is talk about how awesome he is, and that's just not true. In fact, the thing I most admired Cumming is his acceptance of himself. One of my pet peeves is false modesty. So often people don't let their inner light shine because they're scared what others might think. Alan Cumming has obviously worked through that and sparkles.
(Random—but my favorite part of this memoir were his asides about the American culture. Seeing American culture through his eyes illuminated things I never thought about.)
Will definitely be reading his prior Memoir.
I often skim reviews after I read a book. And I came upon one that said all Alan Cumming does in Baggage is talk about how awesome he is, and that's just not true. In fact, the thing I most admired Cumming is his acceptance of himself. One of my pet peeves is false modesty. So often people don't let their inner light shine because they're scared what others might think. Alan Cumming has obviously worked through that and sparkles.
(Random—but my favorite part of this memoir were his asides about the American culture. Seeing American culture through his eyes illuminated things I never thought about.)
Will definitely be reading his prior Memoir.
November 9, 2021
I listened to the audiobook, and give Mr. Cumming 5 stars for his narration. I loved hearing him tell his own story. He is a joy.
Unfortunately I didn't love the book nearly as much as the previous one, Not My Father's Son, which was much more personal, honest, and made me feel as though he and I were sharing a meal and chatting like friends. In that book he shared his experiences with an alcoholic, angry and abusive man, and how he learned to move forward. This book is about his experiences in the world of Hollywood. But it doesn't feel chatty of gossipy enough. I wanted to feel like he was sharing inside stories. It just wasn't very personal.
Unfortunately I didn't love the book nearly as much as the previous one, Not My Father's Son, which was much more personal, honest, and made me feel as though he and I were sharing a meal and chatting like friends. In that book he shared his experiences with an alcoholic, angry and abusive man, and how he learned to move forward. This book is about his experiences in the world of Hollywood. But it doesn't feel chatty of gossipy enough. I wanted to feel like he was sharing inside stories. It just wasn't very personal.
November 25, 2021
puzzled
I quite enjoyed reading Alan’s story, but it left me thinking that there must be a chapter missing. Unless I missed it, he makes no mention of why he suddenly changed tack from being married to and then engaged to women, we next spend the rest of the book reading about his sexual exploits with men. I had to ‘google’ his history to find an explanation, very strange!
I quite enjoyed reading Alan’s story, but it left me thinking that there must be a chapter missing. Unless I missed it, he makes no mention of why he suddenly changed tack from being married to and then engaged to women, we next spend the rest of the book reading about his sexual exploits with men. I had to ‘google’ his history to find an explanation, very strange!
January 20, 2023
I made it halfway through this before I realized I'd never actually watched GoldenEye, so I rectified that as soon as I got home from the office yesterday. Excellent film.
Alan seems to be one of those people who will never run out of stories. If he feels like talking, I'll happily listen.
Alan seems to be one of those people who will never run out of stories. If he feels like talking, I'll happily listen.
July 10, 2022
I could listen to Alan Cummings talk about his life all day
June 24, 2024
Alan is delish! I wish I could know him in real life. Super audiobook read by the author. ✍️
He is eclectic, genuine and shows us his authentic self. Highly recommended!
He is eclectic, genuine and shows us his authentic self. Highly recommended!
December 20, 2021
Baggage: Tales From a Fully Packed Life is the follow up to Alan Cumming's previous memoir Not My Father's Son which took readers through Cumming's horrific childhood at the hands of his abusive father. It was an emotional read and one of my all-time favourite memoirs. Yup, it was that amazing. This new book picks up his life story as he begins his career as a stage actor, Hollywood movie star and simply a young man trying to figure out his way in life and love.
Cumming is an engaging, charming storyteller. He is frank, funny, and humble as he tells the story of his ups and downs as a celebrity with funny anecdotes, often with his famous friends (wee gripe - I wish he had dished a bit about his time on The Good Wife - a role that I loved him in!). And although this book is more focused on his life on stage, he also shares his personal life - loves, losses, marriages, his pride in his Scots heritage and his experiences in Hollywood as an openly queer actor.
I had borrowed both the print and eAudiobook from my public library and although I enjoyed the pictures in the hardcover, I opted to listen to Alan tell his story in the audiobook. I get all swoony for a Scots accent and always prefer having the author read their memoir to me. I loved his easy-going, conversational tone and Cumming once again proves he is a compelling writer who skillfully balances emotional aspects with humour.
This was a great memoir, but I'll admit that I liked his first memoir a bit more. If you're looking to pick this book up, I strongly recommend reading Not My Father's Son first so you understand more about Cumming's childhood and how and why it continues to permeate his adult life.
This memoir is a blend of Hollywood who's who, an honest portrayal of his struggles and successes with a hearty dose of humourous anecdotes as Alan Cumming (no 's' at the end, if you please!) describes his life in and out of Hollywood.
December 24, 2021
Alan Cumming is one of the most magnetic and enchanting performers I've ever seen live on stage. I also find him as both an actor and a famous person fascinating. While he first came on my radar when I watched him in Spy Kids growing up, I became a full-on fangirl after seeing him as the Emcee in Roundabout's revival-of-a-revival of Cabaret in 2014; that is one of the most stunning performances I have seen in a musical, and Cumming was so utterly captivating.
With Baggage, Cumming once again proves that he's a compelling writer as he also did with his first memoir Not My Father's Son. While that first memoir focused on Cumming's incredibly complicated relationship with his abusive and toxic father, Baggage is a more traditional memoir in the sense that it focuses on Cumming's life and prolific career as an actor on stage, screen, and film.
Though the format may feel more traditional, the memoir is entirely unique just like Cumming himself. This book feels like quintessential Alan Cumming: He comes across as confident and self-assured, unabashed about the great success he has achieved as a steadily working actor, but he's also honest, vulnerable, and forthcoming (He's perhaps too forthcoming with details about his sex life, on that note, but that also speaks to the personal brand that Cumming has created for himself).
This is a real page turner, and I think Cumming has really poured himself into this book. I also LOVED all of the wonderful anecdotes he included about his celebrity friends and encounters with other famous people over the years.
With Baggage, Cumming once again proves that he's a compelling writer as he also did with his first memoir Not My Father's Son. While that first memoir focused on Cumming's incredibly complicated relationship with his abusive and toxic father, Baggage is a more traditional memoir in the sense that it focuses on Cumming's life and prolific career as an actor on stage, screen, and film.
Though the format may feel more traditional, the memoir is entirely unique just like Cumming himself. This book feels like quintessential Alan Cumming: He comes across as confident and self-assured, unabashed about the great success he has achieved as a steadily working actor, but he's also honest, vulnerable, and forthcoming (He's perhaps too forthcoming with details about his sex life, on that note, but that also speaks to the personal brand that Cumming has created for himself).
This is a real page turner, and I think Cumming has really poured himself into this book. I also LOVED all of the wonderful anecdotes he included about his celebrity friends and encounters with other famous people over the years.
August 6, 2021
Loved it! I've always thought Alan Cumming would be great at any kind of party, with his lively banter and entertaining stories. This book just cemented that idea for me, with several stories (and especially the way he tells them) that had me actually laughing out loud. He's had quite a life so far, and doesn't hold back about anything: love, marriage, children, sex, drugs, being Scottish, his luck in Hollywood, but also how the memories of his bad relationship with his father still come up from time to time and haunt him. But he's no victim; he lives life to the fullest. I love how he describes star power, and says it can be found in common people, often more than in highly paid celebrities. And how his husband is quoted (in the acknowledgments at the back) as saying that "Alan is a butterfly and we have to let him fly." I think that pretty much says it all.
(The acknowledgments also say that the original delivery date from him for this book was October of 2016, but he just needed more time. Now its due out in October of 2021, but I was lucky enough to find an advance reader's edition in a "donate what you can" bin at a bookstore, and jumped on it!)
(The acknowledgments also say that the original delivery date from him for this book was October of 2016, but he just needed more time. Now its due out in October of 2021, but I was lucky enough to find an advance reader's edition in a "donate what you can" bin at a bookstore, and jumped on it!)
January 1, 2022
I liked the last book I read by Cumming (Not My Father's Son) and have been waiting for BAGGAGE to be released. I was not disappointed. I am struck by the fact that Cumming is an amazing actor - successful in so many very different roles. . .and also a very accomplished writer! Multi-talented.
Hard not to envy him - but for the fact that - he reveals himself to be so likable, and subject to the ups and downs we all are. This book is true to its title - Cumming writes about his career; it has been fully packed. I would say any blinders I had about being "a star" or being in demand - came off. Cumming writes about the demands on his time, the trips back and forth between coasts and to Europe as well. He does a very good job of describing work he loves and values, and work he does "just to fill the coffers". He never ever was a starving artist as his talent was recognized very early.
He also describes his search for a personal relationship - a healthy one. I'd recommend this book!
Hard not to envy him - but for the fact that - he reveals himself to be so likable, and subject to the ups and downs we all are. This book is true to its title - Cumming writes about his career; it has been fully packed. I would say any blinders I had about being "a star" or being in demand - came off. Cumming writes about the demands on his time, the trips back and forth between coasts and to Europe as well. He does a very good job of describing work he loves and values, and work he does "just to fill the coffers". He never ever was a starving artist as his talent was recognized very early.
He also describes his search for a personal relationship - a healthy one. I'd recommend this book!
April 28, 2022
This may have cured me of my inexplicable weakness for celebrity memoirs.
July 18, 2025
the ending felt rushed which is the only reason it’s not a 5 for me — i find Alan so charming. his vulnerability, pride and candor is magic!
June 5, 2023
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and enjoyed it just as much as his earlier memoir.
December 4, 2021
I gave this book 5 stars because it was refreshingly funny and interesting. I’ve seen Alan Cumming on the screen a million times but never really knew much about him as a person. He is an amazingly happy and intelligent person who is able to see the Joy in life from such a solid place of self reflection. I really enjoyed his writing, his journey, and His path to a well rounded life.
try-again-later-me-not-the-book
November 23, 2021I don’t have it in me to listen to something this difficult right now, and it has a lot of holds in my library system, so I’m sending it back. Alan Cumming's audiobook performance is almost too good, because it was so easy for me to get caught up in his words and his story. What I did hear was beautiful and heart-wrenching in equal measure, very similar in tone to his previous memoir “Not My Father’s Son”.
May 20, 2022
I have a lot of respect for Alan Cumming, and I think he’s awesome, but this book just felt like a lot of name dropping and gushing to me. I haven’t read his more famous title ‘Not My Fathers Son’, but from what I hear it’s really moving, and likely a better book due to the emotionality of the story. ‘Baggage’ however is a tad fluffy and light. In terms of autobiographies, this one is a bit on the indulgent side. It was readable and enjoyable though!
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