There are so many lovely things about this book. I love Cumming's relationship with his granny (and I can SO relate), his mother and his brother, Tom. His father's treatment of both sons is unconscionable in its brutality and I applaud his decision to confront him and then be done with him. It's also frequently a really funny book as well as a sad one and a thoughtful one. It's also a lovely audio performance. This was pretty disappointing. Cumming clearly had a lousy childhood and I found him at his most articulate and interesting talking about the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father, but the rest of it just made me dislike him. It seems bizarre to criticize a memoir for being too self-involved, but that's definitely what this felt like. There was a focus on minute details here that felt self-absorbed, like we were supposed to care about what happened at what time, and which episode preceded which at which precise moment only because it was Alan Cumming, not because it was actually interesting or he had taken the time to make it so through his writing. It may be just the way he wrote about his life, but I got the unfortunate impression that pretty much everything revolves around him, that during parties at any of the three Cumming residences, one just sits around and listens to him tell stories about himself. It was unpleasant. I've always been a fan of his acting (especially on The Good Wife, the best television show currently on the air; I said it), but this book did not endear him to me. Instead it felt self-indulgent. I understand that memoirs are self-indulgent pretty much by definition but the best ones manage to make you forget that.
What do You think about Not My Father's Son (2014)?
Christmas present from Melissa she bought at a signing. It says: "Hello Liz." Haha.
—jay
A poignant and well written meditation on violence and its effects.
—soumyo
It was wonderful to get a glimpse of his life. Well written.
—Layla
a very solid 3.75 but i'm feeling generous.
—smy02
