Not My Father's Son question

I'm surprised that people didn't enjoy Alan Cumming's autobiography. I don't particularly have any feelings about him as an actor but, having read his book, my heart really went out to him. The relationship he had with his father was awful and he was completely candid about that and the ongoing relationship that he had with his mother was quite beautiful. I have been called hard hearted but I just don't understand how anyone couldn't have been touched by such a frank, well written, touching autobiography

I disagree. I liked the book and felt it gave me insight into him as a person and an actor.

I think most popular books are overrated but not this one IMHO....

I agree totally with Not My Father's Son, I was embarrassed when I convinced my little library to order it...

I disagree. I loved Alan Cumming's writing style; I liked the suspense in his story telling, and I liked his humility and detachment when writing about some very personal emotional disappointments.

I never liked him much as the host of MYSTERY! but this book made me reconsider his acting career.

This an era when every rock star is writing their memoir; many of them are "as told to," and lack any compelling tone whatsoever. Alan Cumming's book stood above that trend for sure.

I wouldn't say it was over-rated just because I didn't have any particular expectations when I picked it up.

However, I do think I would have enjoyed the one hour episode of Who Do You Think You Are over the rendering of the story on the page.

But what bothered me most about the book was the pass he gave his mother. Sure she loved Alan and stayed in a loveless marriage for the sake of the kids. But why? As soon as Alan was old enough to leave home she left as well and did ok on her own. I get that some parents may stay in a relationship for the sake of the kids over their own needs, but when one of the parents is physically abusive, then staying in the relationship for any reason can't be condoned.

Wow I never thought of this book as overrated and in fact I couldn't put it down. I only really knew Alan's work from "The Good Wife" and I found his story completely heartbreaking. I admire him for going through so much trauma in his childhood and with his abusive father. It was interesting to see how he coped and dealt with such a terrible situation.

Cumming wrote a book about abuse and survival as opposed to your typical celebrity ramblings on their success or their struggle. So, no, not overrated at all.

I just read this book and I really enjoyed it. In fact, it was the first non-fiction book I've read in more than thirty years and I think I will try to read more non-fiction.

I liked the way the two stories were intertwined and even though there were many difficult times, there's humor and love between his mother and brother. They were all doing their best to survive and there were psychological scars left with them.

I think his mother stuck it out to have the financial independence away from his father [and it's clear that was the best thing she could do because she could walk away free of him] and it took her that long to gain it with his father negating any improvements she tried to make to improve her situation very difficult [the sheep birthing incident as she was leaving for night school?].

And we're looking at Alan's childhood with 21st Century eyes, times were much different for women and children in abusive homes in the 70's and they were living in a remote area where there was most likely little to no emotional or safety net support.

All in all, this is one of my top 2016 reads.