Still Growing: An Autobiography (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
I bought Still Growing as one of the first reads on my new e-reader. WHAT A WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY! I loved Kirk Cameron growing up, but this book was awful. I was hoping for a good Hollywood autobiography and this wasn't even close. It was whiny and preachy. Just such a disappointment. I might have enjoyed it more if he had talked about the camp he runs, it's such a great cause, but he just preached about his faith through the whole book. I can't believe that I wasted a vaction reading this book... Wouldn't not recommend. I was never a big Growing Pains fan nor a Kirk Cameron fan. I read this book because I am a devoted Christian and virtually the same age as Kirk Cameron. I know him to be dedicated Christian and was interested in his spiritual journey and view of the world as a fellow brother in Christ. Also the perspective he had through his celebrity upbringing as well as his incidents of wanting a more "moral" show once he converted. I was deeply disappointed on all levels.This book is very scant and safe. It reveals very little. I am not looking for a gossip or a tell-all book. But there is no substance or depth to this book. It floats along on little details that Cameron probably thinks the reader wants to know about the show and some little funny tidbits about his life in the 80's; that people will want to hear these fun little silly stories as a quick escape. He spends lots of time talking about his childhood, his family life as a kid, how he got into showbiz, his early commercial days, auditions etc. None of this is interesting. It's like a "what-I-did" list rather than any insight of items of interest. He then talks about working on the show, which is not all that great either.Here is what is missing. There is no discussion about the struggle and conflict about what he faced as a new believer. His conversion story is vague and undetailed. He discusses for a chapter about the great cosmic questions that every atheist has to ask. But how id he get there to Christianity? What about the other religions and did he expose himself to them? I did. Was there some great moment or event that poushed him to Christianity? What specifically about Jesus did he fall for? God is one hudle, Jesus is quite anothe. It took me another 7 years before I committed to Jesus. And so what about that for him? SilenceALso what did his mom think about his conversion? Sisters? Father? After the difficult marriage, did his father also convert to Christianity? And the lack of discussion on the moral clash he had witht he Growing Pains cast and producvers/ From what I read, he even asked the producers and fellow actors on how to dress and on storylines. In otherwords, he seemed to want the show to reflect his values under the guise of "I cannot paticipate in this" This is a fascinating issue. Understanding his age and recent found conversion. what it sounds like Cameron was doing was a form of totalitarianism. maybe he didn't mean it or realize it, but it was exactly that. any reflection on that rather than some general candy coated "I could have handled it with more grace?' There is no such soul searching. we chritians are supposed to be responsible and taake ownership of our actions. did Cameron do that? This is a central issue and he avoids it comepltete.yEven as he discusses his marriage, he is vague. This leaves readers fristrated with so much more common sense questions. how devoted of a Christian was Chelsea? what kind of discussions about Jesus did they have? How did the show end? No discussion of this. what was life like afterwards? how did he financially support himself? what did he then want to do with his life? more acting? ministry? why decide to only act on Chrisitna movies or projects/ why not still do mainstream but still be a Chritian? He also seem to virtually worship Chelsea. he sees her as some pure as snow angel. he describes their dating and courting process as too ideal and sacred. you know this is exaggerated and maybe that's how he sees it. That's unhealthy. The adoption process also seems to be skimmed over. From what I know, that is a long, arduous, drawn out prcess and they made it sound to easy like picking up milk from the local market. what was life like after the show and how did he adjust? what did he an CHelsea do for 5 years after they got married? did other Hollywood projects come knocking? what does he think of Mel Gibson? does he think he was too judgemenatla during his fame days? what is his view of someone who's best days are behind him and he is only living off his former glory days? does he really love acting? how can he be used and that talent be used for Christ? Such Christian creative persis rare in Hollywood. what perspective or thoughts about that does he have? what life goal doe she have? what is his main passions? how does he support his 6 kids ? as a man, we are cons=cerned about such things. These kind sof holes also miss an opportunity for seekers to understand and see us believers as human and credible. But now without the explaination and transparency, Cameron looks as weird and biazzre as ever, making our faith more alien to the potential seekers.None of these have been amswred
What do You think about Still Growing: An Autobiography (2008)?
Recommended by Duncanville Public Library (Duncanville, Texas).
—Brandy
Excellent book, especially for his "die-hard" fans. :)
—Uney
Very interesting. He didn't even WANT to be an actor!
—GingerBabe22
