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Greenlights
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Memoir & Autobiography (2020)From the Academy Award®–winning actor, an unconventional memoir filled with raucous stories, outlaw wisdom, and lessons learned the hard way about living with greater satisfaction.
I’ve been in this life for fifty years, been trying to work out its riddle for forty-two, and been keeping diaries of clues to that riddle for the last thirty-five. Notes about successes and failures, joys and sorrows, things that made me marvel, and things that made me laugh out loud. How to be fair. How to have less stress. How to have fun. How to hurt people less. How to get hurt less. How to be a good man. How to have meaning in life. How to be more me.
Recently, I worked up the courage to sit down with those diaries. I found stories I experienced, lessons I learned and forgot, poems, prayers, prescriptions, beliefs about what matters, some great photographs, and a whole bunch of bumper stickers. I found a reliable theme, an approach to living that gave me more satisfaction, at the time, and still: If you know how, and when, to deal with life’s challenges - how to get relative with the inevitable - you can enjoy a state of success I call “catching greenlights.”
So I took a one-way ticket to the desert and wrote this book: an album, a record, a story of my life so far. This is fifty years of my sights and seens, felts and figured-outs, cools and shamefuls. Graces, truths, and beauties of brutality. Getting away withs, getting caughts, and getting wets while trying to dance between the raindrops.
Hopefully, it’s medicine that tastes good, a couple of aspirin instead of the infirmary, a spaceship to Mars without needing your pilot’s license, going to church without having to be born again, and laughing through the tears.
It’s a love letter. To life.
It’s also a guide to catching more greenlights - and to realizing that the yellows and reds eventually turn green too.
Good luck.
I’ve been in this life for fifty years, been trying to work out its riddle for forty-two, and been keeping diaries of clues to that riddle for the last thirty-five. Notes about successes and failures, joys and sorrows, things that made me marvel, and things that made me laugh out loud. How to be fair. How to have less stress. How to have fun. How to hurt people less. How to get hurt less. How to be a good man. How to have meaning in life. How to be more me.
Recently, I worked up the courage to sit down with those diaries. I found stories I experienced, lessons I learned and forgot, poems, prayers, prescriptions, beliefs about what matters, some great photographs, and a whole bunch of bumper stickers. I found a reliable theme, an approach to living that gave me more satisfaction, at the time, and still: If you know how, and when, to deal with life’s challenges - how to get relative with the inevitable - you can enjoy a state of success I call “catching greenlights.”
So I took a one-way ticket to the desert and wrote this book: an album, a record, a story of my life so far. This is fifty years of my sights and seens, felts and figured-outs, cools and shamefuls. Graces, truths, and beauties of brutality. Getting away withs, getting caughts, and getting wets while trying to dance between the raindrops.
Hopefully, it’s medicine that tastes good, a couple of aspirin instead of the infirmary, a spaceship to Mars without needing your pilot’s license, going to church without having to be born again, and laughing through the tears.
It’s a love letter. To life.
It’s also a guide to catching more greenlights - and to realizing that the yellows and reds eventually turn green too.
Good luck.
289 pages, Hardcover
First published October 20, 2020
About the author
Matthew McConaughey
12 books24.9k followersAcademy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey is a married man, a father of three children, and a loyal son and brother. He considers himself a storyteller by occupation, believes it's okay to have a beer on the way to the temple, feels better with a day's sweat on him, and is an aspiring orchestral conductor.
In 2009, Matthew and his wife, Camila, founded the just keep livin Foundation, which helps at-risk high school students make healthier mind, body, and spirit choices. In 2019, McConaughey became a professor of practice at the University of Texas at Austin, as well as Minister of Culture/M.O.C. for the University of Texas and the City of Austin. McConaughey is also brand ambassador for Lincoln Motor Company, an owner of the Major League Soccer club Austin FC, and co-creator of his favorite bourbon on the planet, Wild Turkey Longbranch.
In 2009, Matthew and his wife, Camila, founded the just keep livin Foundation, which helps at-risk high school students make healthier mind, body, and spirit choices. In 2019, McConaughey became a professor of practice at the University of Texas at Austin, as well as Minister of Culture/M.O.C. for the University of Texas and the City of Austin. McConaughey is also brand ambassador for Lincoln Motor Company, an owner of the Major League Soccer club Austin FC, and co-creator of his favorite bourbon on the planet, Wild Turkey Longbranch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35,510 reviews
October 27, 2020
A rambling book with great stories but flawed execution. McConaughey was a C student in college, claiming he was normally an A student but wanted to devote time to real world instead of books, and at the end of this books says he'd rather "take an experienced C over an ignorant A any day." Well, this book is a C at best and could have been an A if he would have been less self-satisfied and allowed others to guide him to objective conclusions. Instead it's all about subjective Matthew living his life only as he wants.
The good parts are very good--he is a gifted storyteller and this is one of the rare Hollywood memoirs that has a lot of great personal stories in it. Most of them occur before he becomes famous, but halfway through the book something changes. He goes from an average guy to a movie star, and that's when the book (and possibly his personal character) starts to fall apart.
If you're looking for insights into his movies you won't find any here. He just lists most of them, more interested in his life experiences. He's like a playful pup that doesn't want to be tied down and runs away to avoid being bored. It's fun to read about his decision to drive an RV around the country and his settling in Austin, Texas. I admire his belief in God, his somewhat conservative nature, and his very pro-life stance in wanting children.
There are also many negatives. The title and structure of the book are ridiculous. A waste of a misguided concept. He focuses on supposed "greenlights," yet he doesn't define them clearly and claims everything is a greenlight, whether he manipulates a situation or things just happen to him. Then the pages are filled with his scribbling, journal entries, and one-sentence sayings that often make little sense. This guy is very self-involved and while he does say some interesting nuggets you have to dig through all the crap to get to them. Almost nothing about girlfriends, sex, dealing with other performers, and drug use. And at the start he mentions in a list of life experiences being blackmailed to have sex for the first time and being molested by a man at age 18, then he never says anything about it again.
McConaughey also paints a very negative picture of his bizarre parents. He talks positively about them but then gives stories of how mean, rude, violent, immoral, and insulting they were. How he is having his mother live with him now is hard to believe--she comes across as a crazed liar who couldn't be trusted, slamming him even more as he became famous.
Which brings us to the biggest problem in the book--the author's belief that lying is totally acceptable, as is stealing, backing out of commitments, and using others for personal gain. His parents taught him all that. He calls it "outlaw" rules, where the only right and wrong involves getting caught. So he brags about doing many bad things, and only regrets the few times he is caught. This immoral justification of lying and cheating coming from a guy who claims to be living an honest life. He is delusional but appears to have convinced many others who admire his charming ways of getting what he wants.
He's quite a character, and the book is very entertaining. But as he gets near the end he skips most of the last seven years of his life, summarizing it into a couple pages. And the conclusions he draws ignore many of the truths that become obvious to an objective reader of the book--that McConaughey doesn't really have any objective truths he holds to and is just making things up as he goes. While I admire his attractive ability to pivot and go with the flow, it's hard to justify his drug use, thoughtlessness, selfishness, and defense of lying. He needed to notice many more redlights in his life and not interpret so many as greenlights.
The good parts are very good--he is a gifted storyteller and this is one of the rare Hollywood memoirs that has a lot of great personal stories in it. Most of them occur before he becomes famous, but halfway through the book something changes. He goes from an average guy to a movie star, and that's when the book (and possibly his personal character) starts to fall apart.
If you're looking for insights into his movies you won't find any here. He just lists most of them, more interested in his life experiences. He's like a playful pup that doesn't want to be tied down and runs away to avoid being bored. It's fun to read about his decision to drive an RV around the country and his settling in Austin, Texas. I admire his belief in God, his somewhat conservative nature, and his very pro-life stance in wanting children.
There are also many negatives. The title and structure of the book are ridiculous. A waste of a misguided concept. He focuses on supposed "greenlights," yet he doesn't define them clearly and claims everything is a greenlight, whether he manipulates a situation or things just happen to him. Then the pages are filled with his scribbling, journal entries, and one-sentence sayings that often make little sense. This guy is very self-involved and while he does say some interesting nuggets you have to dig through all the crap to get to them. Almost nothing about girlfriends, sex, dealing with other performers, and drug use. And at the start he mentions in a list of life experiences being blackmailed to have sex for the first time and being molested by a man at age 18, then he never says anything about it again.
McConaughey also paints a very negative picture of his bizarre parents. He talks positively about them but then gives stories of how mean, rude, violent, immoral, and insulting they were. How he is having his mother live with him now is hard to believe--she comes across as a crazed liar who couldn't be trusted, slamming him even more as he became famous.
Which brings us to the biggest problem in the book--the author's belief that lying is totally acceptable, as is stealing, backing out of commitments, and using others for personal gain. His parents taught him all that. He calls it "outlaw" rules, where the only right and wrong involves getting caught. So he brags about doing many bad things, and only regrets the few times he is caught. This immoral justification of lying and cheating coming from a guy who claims to be living an honest life. He is delusional but appears to have convinced many others who admire his charming ways of getting what he wants.
He's quite a character, and the book is very entertaining. But as he gets near the end he skips most of the last seven years of his life, summarizing it into a couple pages. And the conclusions he draws ignore many of the truths that become obvious to an objective reader of the book--that McConaughey doesn't really have any objective truths he holds to and is just making things up as he goes. While I admire his attractive ability to pivot and go with the flow, it's hard to justify his drug use, thoughtlessness, selfishness, and defense of lying. He needed to notice many more redlights in his life and not interpret so many as greenlights.
Read
November 22, 2020My suggestion is to listen to the audiobook so that you can get wrapped up in that warm, friendly, country-boy voice of his as if he is talking directly to you. My suggestion is also to listen in a quiet environment because Matthew is not an overbearing narrator.
What you'll get are some the wonderful interjections of laughter and a few "wooo"s to let you know that Matthew is a genuine human being, very humble of his own fame. Even better, he's very intelligent. There are many passages that can teach everyone a lesson on a number of topics.
Just a little personal, second-degree moment I can tell you from a friend who met him once. She was working for Air Canada in Vancouver, and Matthew was there waiting for a flight out. He asked her to open the bar while he waited. She sheepishly declined, saying that the bar was closed as it was being renovated. His eyes narrowed down to her, cocking an eyebrow, he said, "Do you know who I am?" She said, hoping not to offend, "Yes.. you're Matthew McConaughey--" He said, "That's right, and I'm saying I don't care if it's being renovated. Open. The. Bar." She said, "I'm sorry, but we just can't," she was nearing peeing her pants out of fear for disappointing a famous, well-loved celebrity. Finally he broke out into an evil chuckle and said, "Oh I'm just joking! I understand. It's okay, I'll find somewhere else to wait. Don't you worry about a thing." She blew a sigh of relief. They parted with some nice words for each other. He laughed as he walked away from her. He had fun teasing her. Something tells me he's like that all the time.
What you'll get are some the wonderful interjections of laughter and a few "wooo"s to let you know that Matthew is a genuine human being, very humble of his own fame. Even better, he's very intelligent. There are many passages that can teach everyone a lesson on a number of topics.
Just a little personal, second-degree moment I can tell you from a friend who met him once. She was working for Air Canada in Vancouver, and Matthew was there waiting for a flight out. He asked her to open the bar while he waited. She sheepishly declined, saying that the bar was closed as it was being renovated. His eyes narrowed down to her, cocking an eyebrow, he said, "Do you know who I am?" She said, hoping not to offend, "Yes.. you're Matthew McConaughey--" He said, "That's right, and I'm saying I don't care if it's being renovated. Open. The. Bar." She said, "I'm sorry, but we just can't," she was nearing peeing her pants out of fear for disappointing a famous, well-loved celebrity. Finally he broke out into an evil chuckle and said, "Oh I'm just joking! I understand. It's okay, I'll find somewhere else to wait. Don't you worry about a thing." She blew a sigh of relief. They parted with some nice words for each other. He laughed as he walked away from her. He had fun teasing her. Something tells me he's like that all the time.
October 21, 2020
I LOVED IT!!!!!!
isn’t that enough? FANTASTIC storytelling...
MEMORABLE STORIES you ‘won’t’ forget.
Mathew is not only a great actor, he’s a GREAT AUTHOR!!!
HE CAN WRITE!!!!
For readers who think this book isn’t for you—-you just might surprise yourself.
Its soooooo engaging!!!
I didn’t want miss a word!!!!
I loved, loved, loved, loved it!!!!
YOU’ll LOVE IT!!!!! I Promise!!!!!!
“Greenlights”..... 🟢 is a wonderful gift to ‘thyself’.
🟢Greenlight 🟢 Greenlight 🟢 Greenlight 🟢
Thank you, Mathew.......
......you’re a mensch of a man!
isn’t that enough? FANTASTIC storytelling...
MEMORABLE STORIES you ‘won’t’ forget.
Mathew is not only a great actor, he’s a GREAT AUTHOR!!!
HE CAN WRITE!!!!
For readers who think this book isn’t for you—-you just might surprise yourself.
Its soooooo engaging!!!
I didn’t want miss a word!!!!
I loved, loved, loved, loved it!!!!
YOU’ll LOVE IT!!!!! I Promise!!!!!!
“Greenlights”..... 🟢 is a wonderful gift to ‘thyself’.
🟢Greenlight 🟢 Greenlight 🟢 Greenlight 🟢
Thank you, Mathew.......
......you’re a mensch of a man!
Read
April 8, 2021On the one hand, I read this book in less than two days over the course of a rainy weekend.
On the other hand, I have been keeping notebooks in which I wax poetic since I was eighteen and this book has inspired me to never ever share them with anyone.
On the other hand, I have been keeping notebooks in which I wax poetic since I was eighteen and this book has inspired me to never ever share them with anyone.
November 30, 2020
You lost me on the third wet dream, Matthew.
Talk about oversharing your self-centred story.
Talk about oversharing your self-centred story.
November 4, 2020
Really enjoyed this one. I really love Matthew McConnaughey as a human and as an actor so I was really excited to hear he wrote a book! I listened to the audiobook and his narration is absolutely fantastic, if you decide to read this book you HAVE to go with the audiobook, his voice is amazing and his narration was so fun I was smiling like an idiot most of the time reading this.
Only reason I knocked off a star is because I wasn’t a huge fan of the self-help parts of this book, I was more interested in hearing his interesting life stories and learning more about his roles and his family and I could’ve done without the strange generic bumper sticker quotes haha.
But I love this! If you are a fan of his I’d definitely recommend checking this one out! I loved hearing more behind the scenes things about his career.
Only reason I knocked off a star is because I wasn’t a huge fan of the self-help parts of this book, I was more interested in hearing his interesting life stories and learning more about his roles and his family and I could’ve done without the strange generic bumper sticker quotes haha.
But I love this! If you are a fan of his I’d definitely recommend checking this one out! I loved hearing more behind the scenes things about his career.
October 28, 2020
Oh lord, was this annoying. I love a good celebrity memoir, but not when riddled with self-help tidbits. If McConaughey had stuck to personal essays without all the cheesy, self-satisfactory interjections (“prescription!” and “note to self!” and “bumper sticker!”), I’d have liked it more, even though the stories themselves felt very anecdotal and lacked depth. Unless you’re a massive fan, I can’t recommend.
December 19, 2020
What a disappointment.. was soooo looking forward to this!! UGH seriously probably 2.5 ⭐ for me but it's a biography and I feel harsh lowball scoring someone's life thoughts lol so I rounded up.. I realize a lot of people loved this but truly not sure what to say about that.
Also not too sure where to start here but will make it brief. My final thoughts are that I guess you should leave your Hollywood crushes alone and not read about their lives in case you end up here, where I am... I loved Matthew McConaughey's vibe, his kind of random, crazy coolness, ugh ya, that's gone, like no. This was like being stuck at a party or on a date with someone you thought would be fun and then you wonder when they will stop talking. I loveeee his voice and was so pleased to get a skip the line audiobook copy from my library, narrated by the man himself! but sadly, I now do NOT love his voice... I listen to audiobooks while I cook dinner and putter around and the kids kept coming out of their rooms to ask who I was saying "omg please SHUT UPPPP, I'm begging you" to. I pulled my headphones out of my ears multiple times saying "I am done with you" and my personal favourite me quote "say 'wet dream' one more time McConaughey, I dare you" sadly, he dared.. Suffice to say that it took me two skip the lines at the library and a lot of self talk to get through this book.
I have seen reviews where people wanted more from him, he mentions he has experienced sexual assaults but doesn't elaborate, people wanted less of his parents and their abusive behaviours, people wanted more detail on all of his movies and interactions with other stars, this is NOT where the book fell apart for me. I have no issue with people discussing what they want about their lives, sharing what they will and wont, it's their story to tell and I was fine with this.
What I did have a problem with was, as my husband would say, he has "I like me a little bit of me" syndrome. He reallyyy likes himself and I am still so done with that I want to scream. He presents it in a way that looks super introspective and really like he challenges himself to grow and live his best life and that's good he thinks so, but I got the opposite impression, I feel like he glazes the top coat and then sands it off once in a while to reapply and make is shine again. Just blech. Sorry, ugh, and keep in mind, I am(?) a fan.
There are points when he talks about lying and says that he was raised that it doesn't matter if you tell a big lie, as long as you believe it and it helps you, who cares and that's his personal choice but my thought on that throughout the book was what my parents taught me, "once a liar, always a liar" and "don't retell a lairs tale" so why was I reading one? To me this could have been a great story that he embellished and concocted and those are fine for bar tales but this is a biography and after he said that, it just didn't come off as honest to me.
There were a few points where I cringed, I didn't love him and his brother screwing around feigning blindness with a hotel manager as the butt of the joke. I didn't love his get out of jail bongo tale, too many people don't get that privilege.. I dont know, maybe those would have been funny stories if I liked the rest.. probably not, just not for me I guess..
It's too bad because I LOVED his philosophy of looking for the greenlights. If you are faced with a red, it will go green, and even if you feel you are in a red zone of negativity, there is likely something there that you can grasp on to that will show you the green. The "keep it positive" look for the good philosophy. But somewhere in the middle that got lost for me.. It may be around the time that I wished he would stop shouting, literally shouting, his catchphrases in my ear "greenlight" "prescription" "poem" stop shouting... please... Oh boy, I was supposed to make this brief lol and am ranting..
I also loved, although not in my style of expression (but to each their own) his love for his family and children and wife. Beautiful. But still not enough to make me greenlight this book Matthew.. sorry 🚦 I hugged my husband when I was done and thanked him for proving that I don't have completely awful taste!😅
Also not too sure where to start here but will make it brief. My final thoughts are that I guess you should leave your Hollywood crushes alone and not read about their lives in case you end up here, where I am... I loved Matthew McConaughey's vibe, his kind of random, crazy coolness, ugh ya, that's gone, like no. This was like being stuck at a party or on a date with someone you thought would be fun and then you wonder when they will stop talking. I loveeee his voice and was so pleased to get a skip the line audiobook copy from my library, narrated by the man himself! but sadly, I now do NOT love his voice... I listen to audiobooks while I cook dinner and putter around and the kids kept coming out of their rooms to ask who I was saying "omg please SHUT UPPPP, I'm begging you" to. I pulled my headphones out of my ears multiple times saying "I am done with you" and my personal favourite me quote "say 'wet dream' one more time McConaughey, I dare you" sadly, he dared.. Suffice to say that it took me two skip the lines at the library and a lot of self talk to get through this book.
I have seen reviews where people wanted more from him, he mentions he has experienced sexual assaults but doesn't elaborate, people wanted less of his parents and their abusive behaviours, people wanted more detail on all of his movies and interactions with other stars, this is NOT where the book fell apart for me. I have no issue with people discussing what they want about their lives, sharing what they will and wont, it's their story to tell and I was fine with this.
What I did have a problem with was, as my husband would say, he has "I like me a little bit of me" syndrome. He reallyyy likes himself and I am still so done with that I want to scream. He presents it in a way that looks super introspective and really like he challenges himself to grow and live his best life and that's good he thinks so, but I got the opposite impression, I feel like he glazes the top coat and then sands it off once in a while to reapply and make is shine again. Just blech. Sorry, ugh, and keep in mind, I am(?) a fan.
There are points when he talks about lying and says that he was raised that it doesn't matter if you tell a big lie, as long as you believe it and it helps you, who cares and that's his personal choice but my thought on that throughout the book was what my parents taught me, "once a liar, always a liar" and "don't retell a lairs tale" so why was I reading one? To me this could have been a great story that he embellished and concocted and those are fine for bar tales but this is a biography and after he said that, it just didn't come off as honest to me.
There were a few points where I cringed, I didn't love him and his brother screwing around feigning blindness with a hotel manager as the butt of the joke. I didn't love his get out of jail bongo tale, too many people don't get that privilege.. I dont know, maybe those would have been funny stories if I liked the rest.. probably not, just not for me I guess..
It's too bad because I LOVED his philosophy of looking for the greenlights. If you are faced with a red, it will go green, and even if you feel you are in a red zone of negativity, there is likely something there that you can grasp on to that will show you the green. The "keep it positive" look for the good philosophy. But somewhere in the middle that got lost for me.. It may be around the time that I wished he would stop shouting, literally shouting, his catchphrases in my ear "greenlight" "prescription" "poem" stop shouting... please... Oh boy, I was supposed to make this brief lol and am ranting..
I also loved, although not in my style of expression (but to each their own) his love for his family and children and wife. Beautiful. But still not enough to make me greenlight this book Matthew.. sorry 🚦 I hugged my husband when I was done and thanked him for proving that I don't have completely awful taste!😅
October 26, 2020
Another narcissistic actor who loves to hear himself talk! This book was very preachy and about as deep as a paper cut! What have I learned about Matthew? I've learned that I never want to be stuck in a room with him!
December 3, 2020
Ahhhhhh...I am totally listening to Matthew McConaughey! ❤️ Holy crap! So there is something to be said for a memoir where the author reads you their story. You all know the voice...but do you know the story?
So I think there are two types of memoirs. One where the author paints the picture they want you to see, their public persona. Then there is the type where they actually let you get a glimpse of their life. Their outlook, thoughts and of course the path they have taken to get where they are at. This right here is the second type...the type I like..
Matthew couldn't be much open with us the readers. He shared alot..and I mean alot...Things that we think we knew about...umm the bongo incident...sure we all have heard about it. Yet, we don't really know what lead up to it and exactly how it all went down...do we? Well now we do. He floored me with how he traveled to RV parks with his dog. You don't get more down to earth than that. He shares why we don't see him in rom-coms anymore....Honestly...I wish he would do a rom-com, I do miss those!
A great, entertaining read! Bumper sticker! Green Light! If you are a fan, you will surely enjoy this.
So I think there are two types of memoirs. One where the author paints the picture they want you to see, their public persona. Then there is the type where they actually let you get a glimpse of their life. Their outlook, thoughts and of course the path they have taken to get where they are at. This right here is the second type...the type I like..
Matthew couldn't be much open with us the readers. He shared alot..and I mean alot...Things that we think we knew about...umm the bongo incident...sure we all have heard about it. Yet, we don't really know what lead up to it and exactly how it all went down...do we? Well now we do. He floored me with how he traveled to RV parks with his dog. You don't get more down to earth than that. He shares why we don't see him in rom-coms anymore....Honestly...I wish he would do a rom-com, I do miss those!
A great, entertaining read! Bumper sticker! Green Light! If you are a fan, you will surely enjoy this.
November 1, 2020
Unexpectedly tiresome, self centered, self righteous, disturbing on so many levels, condones corporal punishment, physical abuse...a letter to Narcissism.
October 22, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alright alright alright...5 easy breezy stars. It felt like I sat around with him over a glass of scotch and he told me stories of his life. He’s witty, funny, smooth, and worked his literary skills through my heart. I laughed out loud, I paused to write down deep truths that resonated with me, and I face palmed at some of his antics. Do yourself a favor and listen to the Audible, he narrates! Oh yes!!!
His life has been interesting, to say the least. I love his passion to constantly be seeking more but also be content in the present. Due to the easy candor of his voice, one could miss the nuggets of wisdom he drops. The 5th and final star for me always boils down to one thing, did I want the book to end? No, no I did not.
“Reach beyond your grasp. Have immortal finish lines and turn your red light green because a roof is a man made thing.” -MM
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Alright alright alright...5 easy breezy stars. It felt like I sat around with him over a glass of scotch and he told me stories of his life. He’s witty, funny, smooth, and worked his literary skills through my heart. I laughed out loud, I paused to write down deep truths that resonated with me, and I face palmed at some of his antics. Do yourself a favor and listen to the Audible, he narrates! Oh yes!!!
His life has been interesting, to say the least. I love his passion to constantly be seeking more but also be content in the present. Due to the easy candor of his voice, one could miss the nuggets of wisdom he drops. The 5th and final star for me always boils down to one thing, did I want the book to end? No, no I did not.
“Reach beyond your grasp. Have immortal finish lines and turn your red light green because a roof is a man made thing.” -MM
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
December 19, 2020
Green lights:
- Matthew McConaughey is a self-proclaimed optimist. It’s refreshing to see the perspective of someone whose glass is so full.
- The way he reads the audiobook is pretty darn funny, making me spontaneously laugh many times.
- There are some pieces of good advice, like standing firm with your decisions to forego the easy paths while you wait for the right one.
Yellow lights:
- M.M. is a weird dude, but if you opt to listen to or read his book you probably already know that.
- There are lots of stories about his bodily fluids and touching himself. Not one, not two, but three anecdotes about (earmuffs kids) wet dreams.
Red light:
- I was seriously creeped out by his description of the night he met his wife. They were at a bar, and when it closed he invited her back to his place for a drink. She declined, but when it turned out her car had been towed he asked her again to come over for one drink, after which his limo driver would take her home. She then accepted, but when she was ready to leave oh darn his limo was mysteriously no longer available. And gosh darn it, that late at night no cab companies were still open. So she was then basically trapped there and had to stay the night. Call me a snowflake, but NOT COOL MATTHEW, NOT COOL! But she obviously disagreed since she married him.
- Matthew McConaughey is a self-proclaimed optimist. It’s refreshing to see the perspective of someone whose glass is so full.
- The way he reads the audiobook is pretty darn funny, making me spontaneously laugh many times.
- There are some pieces of good advice, like standing firm with your decisions to forego the easy paths while you wait for the right one.
Yellow lights:
- M.M. is a weird dude, but if you opt to listen to or read his book you probably already know that.
- There are lots of stories about his bodily fluids and touching himself. Not one, not two, but three anecdotes about (earmuffs kids) wet dreams.
Red light:
- I was seriously creeped out by his description of the night he met his wife. They were at a bar, and when it closed he invited her back to his place for a drink. She declined, but when it turned out her car had been towed he asked her again to come over for one drink, after which his limo driver would take her home. She then accepted, but when she was ready to leave oh darn his limo was mysteriously no longer available. And gosh darn it, that late at night no cab companies were still open. So she was then basically trapped there and had to stay the night. Call me a snowflake, but NOT COOL MATTHEW, NOT COOL! But she obviously disagreed since she married him.
November 16, 2021
Celebrity memoirs can be gratuitous or self-aggrandizing, which I can put up with, but I draw the line at not one but THREE references to having a wet dream. Yes, you read that correctly. I just can't even fathom why he felt that was essential to include. And for the record I started reading this before he was all over the news recently about not wanting to vaccinate his kids. So that didn't help my impression of him either while I was reading this. Some parts of this book was interesting/funny, especially since I listened to the audiobook which he narrates. But overall I can't really recommend this book because even putting aside the wet dreams, it became readily apparent this is just a weird guy who isn't nearly as interesting as he thinks he is. Talented, sure, but very very weird. Not to mention how he describes how he met his wife (purposely stranding her at his place) and the dynamic with his parents (physical altercations) - seriously, just red flags all over the place.
June 21, 2021
Alright, alright, alright.
As Matthew himself declares, there are liars and then there are bullshitters; the liar tries to hide his misrepresentations while the bullshitter will readily and openly admit he is not telling the truth. I have the strong impression that Matthew is a champion level bullshitter as I’m not sure how many of these stories and anecdotes I fully believe, but I liked the way he told the tall tales and this book is entertaining.
I like to find out about an author to better understand their perspective. Turns out I am about a month older than McConaughey, we were both raised in the south (him in Texas, me in Tennessee) and we both liked watching the Incredible Hulk in the 70s starring Lou Ferrigno. Our high school experiences were similar, hell, my best friend in HS could have been Matthew.
This is just MM telling us about his childhood, growing up, acting, life lessons, what makes him tick. The idea about “greenlights” is moments in his life that have helped him to move forward, as opposed to yellow or red lights that provide caution or slow you down. There also “NOTES TO SELF!” and Bumper stickers. All told with wit, humor and Wooderson charm.
One negative reviewer I read complained that this was “self centered” … well yeah, it’s a memoir. If you like McConaughey, you will likely find this to be an enjoyable book; he comes across as a vibrant, charismatic man who loves life.
BTW – the “alright, alright, alright” scene from Dazed and Confused has a very funny backstory.
Lyn’s Top five Matthew McConaughey films:
1. Sing
2. Reign of Fire
3. Dazed and Confused
4. Lincoln Lawyer
5. Failure to Launch
Fun book about an interesting person.
As Matthew himself declares, there are liars and then there are bullshitters; the liar tries to hide his misrepresentations while the bullshitter will readily and openly admit he is not telling the truth. I have the strong impression that Matthew is a champion level bullshitter as I’m not sure how many of these stories and anecdotes I fully believe, but I liked the way he told the tall tales and this book is entertaining.
I like to find out about an author to better understand their perspective. Turns out I am about a month older than McConaughey, we were both raised in the south (him in Texas, me in Tennessee) and we both liked watching the Incredible Hulk in the 70s starring Lou Ferrigno. Our high school experiences were similar, hell, my best friend in HS could have been Matthew.
This is just MM telling us about his childhood, growing up, acting, life lessons, what makes him tick. The idea about “greenlights” is moments in his life that have helped him to move forward, as opposed to yellow or red lights that provide caution or slow you down. There also “NOTES TO SELF!” and Bumper stickers. All told with wit, humor and Wooderson charm.
One negative reviewer I read complained that this was “self centered” … well yeah, it’s a memoir. If you like McConaughey, you will likely find this to be an enjoyable book; he comes across as a vibrant, charismatic man who loves life.
BTW – the “alright, alright, alright” scene from Dazed and Confused has a very funny backstory.
Lyn’s Top five Matthew McConaughey films:
1. Sing
2. Reign of Fire
3. Dazed and Confused
4. Lincoln Lawyer
5. Failure to Launch
Fun book about an interesting person.
December 4, 2020
I love Matthew as an actor, I didn’t love this book like I was hoping. And that’s ok 😉
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
December 20, 2020
Not just DNF, but could not finish. For a man who prides himself on reflection, this book contains very little. Between excusing domestic violence, child abuse, and just plain unethical parenting and his weird predatory behavior that somehow seduced Camila Alves to think, "Yep, that's the one!" this book really lost me. I love MM's acting, but now I feel like I know too much. The only greenlight I enjoyed was the one that led me to stop reading this book.
February 7, 2021
Alright, alright, alright...
Greenlights is exactly what you’d expect a memoir from Matthew McConaughey to be like, and that’s pretty great.
I’ve been a McConaughey fan since he appeared as Drew Barrymore’s boyfriend in the movie Boys on the Side . Aside from his obvious aesthetic gifts (I saw him once in person during his dirty, shoeless days in Austin and he was still totally magnetic) and his acting talent, I’ve always thought him to be one of the bluntest, funniest, most cerebral celebrities out there. (Look up his Oscar acceptance speech on YouTube to see what I mean.)
Greenlights is, as he puts it, “fifty years of my sights and seems, felts and figured-outs, cools and shamefuls. Graces, truths, and beauties of brutality. Getting away withs, getting caughts, and getting wets while trying to dance between the raindrops. It’s a love letter. To life.”
This is at turns funny, blunt, insightful, emotional, and even so outrageous you wonder if he’s being completely truthful (although it wouldn’t surprise you if he is). But while he’s definitely a what-you-see is what-you-get type of guy, what you get is a man who clearly operates by the strong code of morals and behaviors he was raised with.
I thought this was such a great read, but don’t go in expecting a tell-all: he has nothing to say about any of his costars or collaborators. And that honestly was fine with me, because I wouldn't expect him to be that type of guy.
I’m not normally an audiobook guy, but how could I pass up buying the audio of this to hear that voice read his own words? Obviously if you're not a fan of his this may not work, but I really enjoyed it. And I don't read very many memoirs at all!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Greenlights is exactly what you’d expect a memoir from Matthew McConaughey to be like, and that’s pretty great.
I’ve been a McConaughey fan since he appeared as Drew Barrymore’s boyfriend in the movie Boys on the Side . Aside from his obvious aesthetic gifts (I saw him once in person during his dirty, shoeless days in Austin and he was still totally magnetic) and his acting talent, I’ve always thought him to be one of the bluntest, funniest, most cerebral celebrities out there. (Look up his Oscar acceptance speech on YouTube to see what I mean.)
Greenlights is, as he puts it, “fifty years of my sights and seems, felts and figured-outs, cools and shamefuls. Graces, truths, and beauties of brutality. Getting away withs, getting caughts, and getting wets while trying to dance between the raindrops. It’s a love letter. To life.”
This is at turns funny, blunt, insightful, emotional, and even so outrageous you wonder if he’s being completely truthful (although it wouldn’t surprise you if he is). But while he’s definitely a what-you-see is what-you-get type of guy, what you get is a man who clearly operates by the strong code of morals and behaviors he was raised with.
I thought this was such a great read, but don’t go in expecting a tell-all: he has nothing to say about any of his costars or collaborators. And that honestly was fine with me, because I wouldn't expect him to be that type of guy.
I’m not normally an audiobook guy, but how could I pass up buying the audio of this to hear that voice read his own words? Obviously if you're not a fan of his this may not work, but I really enjoyed it. And I don't read very many memoirs at all!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2019 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2019.html.
Check out my list of the best books of the decade at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2020/01/my-favorite-books-of-decade.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
December 19, 2020
2.5 stars
I have liked him as an actor and that’s what he should stick with!
I have liked him as an actor and that’s what he should stick with!
November 28, 2020
This was really disappointing. A narcissist trip into making me dislike an actor I always liked.
Self absorbed, preachy and irritating..
NOTE TO SELF...Be grateful that I didn’t have to pay for this book!
Self absorbed, preachy and irritating..
NOTE TO SELF...Be grateful that I didn’t have to pay for this book!
November 23, 2020
I rolled my eyes during this entire book. All the chapters were full of privilege and his stories just spoke of his egotism. Also, I would have been better off not hearing about his multiple wet dreams as an adult. Do not recommend.
January 3, 2021
Matthew McConaughey has the gift of gab. He could easily be a preacher. I can’t imagine choosing to read the physical book and missing out on hearing him narrate. Is what he’s saying worth listening to? Sometimes.
At first, this struck me as more of a fun, autobiographical stand-up routine than a memoir. Yet I wondered if he was aware of how abusive his parents seemed as he told his crazy stories and declared how much love was in their household.
He does things in his book that made me roll my eyes. Each time he presents a string of good luck (and there are many), he ends the string by flicking out the word “greenlight,” as punctuation. He also moves back from the microphone at intervals, and shouts, “Note to Self!” These notes, and in a similar fashion, his “Prescriptions” and “Bumper Stickers” are where he sums up his experiences into bits of advice. Most of these moments sound deeper than they are because of the quality of his presence and how it resonates in his voice. He talks a lot about soul searching, and his actions are evidence that he took this seriously, that he experienced pain and healing, but he doesn’t really ever let you that far in, and I wonder how far he’s even let himself in.
What I found most illuminating was how McConaughey dealt with adversity: rather than kowtow to others’ commands when he didn’t believe in them, or react with impulsive defense, McConaughey sees multiple sides of situations, roots himself in what he believes, and with as much respect as possible for all involved, stands his ground. It is this strength and integrity, along with his gifts of performance and humor that made Greenlights a worthwhile read.
At first, this struck me as more of a fun, autobiographical stand-up routine than a memoir. Yet I wondered if he was aware of how abusive his parents seemed as he told his crazy stories and declared how much love was in their household.
He does things in his book that made me roll my eyes. Each time he presents a string of good luck (and there are many), he ends the string by flicking out the word “greenlight,” as punctuation. He also moves back from the microphone at intervals, and shouts, “Note to Self!” These notes, and in a similar fashion, his “Prescriptions” and “Bumper Stickers” are where he sums up his experiences into bits of advice. Most of these moments sound deeper than they are because of the quality of his presence and how it resonates in his voice. He talks a lot about soul searching, and his actions are evidence that he took this seriously, that he experienced pain and healing, but he doesn’t really ever let you that far in, and I wonder how far he’s even let himself in.
What I found most illuminating was how McConaughey dealt with adversity: rather than kowtow to others’ commands when he didn’t believe in them, or react with impulsive defense, McConaughey sees multiple sides of situations, roots himself in what he believes, and with as much respect as possible for all involved, stands his ground. It is this strength and integrity, along with his gifts of performance and humor that made Greenlights a worthwhile read.
April 29, 2022
Greenlights, Matthew McConaughey
McConaughey began writing when he was fourteen years old. He described the book as a collection of stories, prayers, poems, people and places and a whole bunch of bumper stickers. The book includes stories and insights from McConaughey's life in chronological order. It has been described as a memoir but McConaughey has called it an "approach book".
عنوانهای چاپ شده در ایران: «چراغ سبزها»؛ «چراغ سبز»؛ «چراغهای سبز»؛ نویسنده: متیو مککانهی؛ تاریخ نخستین خوانش روز بیست و هفتم ماه آوریل سال2022میلادی
عنوان: چراغ سبزها؛ نویسنده: متیو مککانهی؛ مترجم: سمانه پرهیزکاری؛ تهران، انتشارات میلکان؛ چاپهای اول تا سوم سال1399؛ در320ص؛ شابک9786222540487؛ چاپ ششم سال1400؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان ایالات متحده آمریکا - سده21م
عنوان: چراغ سبز؛ نویسنده: متیو مککانهی؛ مترجم: عطیه الحسینی؛ تهران، نشر حوض نقره، سال1399؛ در382ص؛ شابک9786001944888؛
عنوان: چراغ سبزها؛ نویسنده: متیو مککانهی؛ مترجم: نرگس کریمیان؛ تهران، نشر شور آفرین؛ سال1400؛ در250ص؛ شابک9786222590758؛
عنوان: چراغ سبزها؛ نویسنده: متیو مککانهی؛ مترجم: بهاره مظاهری؛ تهران، نشر آسمان نیلگون؛ سال1400؛ در80ص؛ شابک9786227633559؛
عنوان: چراغهای سبز؛ نویسنده: متیو مککانهی؛ مترجم: محدثه خوشکام؛ ویراستار: زهره روحانیفرد؛ تهران، نشر نون، سال1400؛ در368ص؛ شابک9786227566239؛
کتاب «چراغ سبزها» نوشتاری از «متیو مک کانهی»، هنرپیشه ی نامدار و برنده ی «جایزه اسکار» است؛ ایشان در این کتاب در کنار بازگویی داستان زندگی پر فراز و نشیب خویش، جهان بینی خویش و نگاهش به زندگی را نیز مینگارند، و بی آنکه اندرز دهند، واژ های ایشان درسهایی برای زندگی کردن به خوانشگر میدهد
نقل از متن: (پنجاه سال است که در این زندگیام، چهل و دو سال است که سعی میکنم معمای آن را حل کنم، و سی و پنج سال است که از سرنخهایی که برای حل آن پیدا میکنم یادداشت برمیدارم؛ یادداشتهایی درباره ی موفقیتها و شکستها، شادیها و غمها، چیزهایی که باعث شگفتیام شدهاند، و چیزهایی که به خندهام انداختهاند؛ سیوپنج سال فهمیدن، به خاطر سپردن، تشخیص دادن، جمع کردن، و نوشتنِ چیزهایی که برایم تکاندهنده یا جذاب بوده است؛ اینکه چطور عادل باشم...؛ چطور استرس کمتری داشته باشم...؛ چطور خوش بگذرانم...؛ چطور کمتر به آدمها آسیب بزنم...؛ چطور آدم خوبی باشم...؛ چطور چیزیکه میخواهم را به دست بیاورم...؛ چطور در زندگی به معنا برسم...؛ چطور خودِ واقعیام باشم
همزمان که مامان، اگزیستانسیالیسمیِ بیپرواگونهای ر،ا به ما میآموخت، بابا به ما یاد میداد عقلِ سلیم داشته باشیم؛ او مردی بود که برای آقا و خانم گفتنها، انضباط، وفاداری، تسلیم نشدن، و پول درآوردن ـ به اندازهای که بتوان برای خانواده امنیت ایجاد کرد ـ ارزش زیادی قائل بود؛ او نقاشی هم میکشید، کلاس باله میرفت، برای تیم فوتبال «گرین بِی پکرز» بازی میکرد، تاسبازی را دوست داشت، اسیرِ ترفند پانزی بود، و بیشترِ اوقات به جای اینکه چیزی بخرد آن را برنده میشد، او آرزو داشت یک وقت شانساش بگیرد، و پول زیادی برنده شود، تا خودش را بازنشسته کند، و یک مغازه ی «پُرکن بخور» در ساحل «فلوریدا» بزند؛ بابا که برای ساختارمند کردنِ سه پسرش ساختارِ آنها را میشکست، برای چراغزردها احترام زیادی قائل بود، و میخواست حتماً اول اصول را یاد بگیریم، و بعد فردگراییِ خودمان را مطرح کنیم؛ به قول فوتبالیها اول دفاع و تَکل را یادمان داد، تا بعد بتوانیم حمله کنیم؛ همه میدانستند مردِ خانه چه کسی است و اگر هر کدام از سه پسرش میخواستند این مفهوم را به چالش بکشند، میگفت: «میدونی کجا میتونی پیدام کنی!» ما از او میترسیدیم؛ نه به این خاطر که به ما آسیب رسانده یا اذیتمان کرده باشد، فقط به این دلیل که پدرمان بود؛ ما او را الگوی خودمان میدانستیم؛ او از قانون و حکومت بالاتر بود، و احمقها را اذیت نمیکرد، مگر اینکه اعتراف میکردید احمقاید! مردی با ظاهرِ یک خرس که دلش برای آدمهای فقیر و ضعیف میسوخت، و همیشه درباره ی خودش و دنیا بذله گویی میکرد؛ مثلاً میگفت: «ترجیح میدم پولم رو صرف خوشگذرونی کنم تا اینکه سرِ پول درآوردن حوصلهم سر بره.» پدرم مردی بود که به خودش افتخار میکرد و اگر کسی به او فرصتِ دوباره میداد، هرگز این لطف را فراموش نمیکرد؛ یکبار اواخر دهه ی هشتاد، بعد از اینکه یک کارمند بانک درخواستِ واماش را رد کرده بود ـ وامی که میتوانست او را از زیرِ بارِ قرض بیرون بیاورد ـ گفته بود: «الان یا میتونی در رو روی من ببندی، یا میتونیم با هم از در بریم بیرون!» در نهایت هم وام را گرفت و او و کارمند بانک با هم از در رفتند بیرون؛ او عاشقِ مهمانیگرفتن بود، عاشق خوشنوشی، و داستانتعریفکردن؛ انصافاً هم که به هر سهشان حسابی مسلط بود.)؛ پایان نقل
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 08/02/1401هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
McConaughey began writing when he was fourteen years old. He described the book as a collection of stories, prayers, poems, people and places and a whole bunch of bumper stickers. The book includes stories and insights from McConaughey's life in chronological order. It has been described as a memoir but McConaughey has called it an "approach book".
عنوانهای چاپ شده در ایران: «چراغ سبزها»؛ «چراغ سبز»؛ «چراغهای سبز»؛ نویسنده: متیو مککانهی؛ تاریخ نخستین خوانش روز بیست و هفتم ماه آوریل سال2022میلادی
عنوان: چراغ سبزها؛ نویسنده: متیو مککانهی؛ مترجم: سمانه پرهیزکاری؛ تهران، انتشارات میلکان؛ چاپهای اول تا سوم سال1399؛ در320ص؛ شابک9786222540487؛ چاپ ششم سال1400؛ موضوع داستانهای نویسندگان ایالات متحده آمریکا - سده21م
عنوان: چراغ سبز؛ نویسنده: متیو مککانهی؛ مترجم: عطیه الحسینی؛ تهران، نشر حوض نقره، سال1399؛ در382ص؛ شابک9786001944888؛
عنوان: چراغ سبزها؛ نویسنده: متیو مککانهی؛ مترجم: نرگس کریمیان؛ تهران، نشر شور آفرین؛ سال1400؛ در250ص؛ شابک9786222590758؛
عنوان: چراغ سبزها؛ نویسنده: متیو مککانهی؛ مترجم: بهاره مظاهری؛ تهران، نشر آسمان نیلگون؛ سال1400؛ در80ص؛ شابک9786227633559؛
عنوان: چراغهای سبز؛ نویسنده: متیو مککانهی؛ مترجم: محدثه خوشکام؛ ویراستار: زهره روحانیفرد؛ تهران، نشر نون، سال1400؛ در368ص؛ شابک9786227566239؛
کتاب «چراغ سبزها» نوشتاری از «متیو مک کانهی»، هنرپیشه ی نامدار و برنده ی «جایزه اسکار» است؛ ایشان در این کتاب در کنار بازگویی داستان زندگی پر فراز و نشیب خویش، جهان بینی خویش و نگاهش به زندگی را نیز مینگارند، و بی آنکه اندرز دهند، واژ های ایشان درسهایی برای زندگی کردن به خوانشگر میدهد
نقل از متن: (پنجاه سال است که در این زندگیام، چهل و دو سال است که سعی میکنم معمای آن را حل کنم، و سی و پنج سال است که از سرنخهایی که برای حل آن پیدا میکنم یادداشت برمیدارم؛ یادداشتهایی درباره ی موفقیتها و شکستها، شادیها و غمها، چیزهایی که باعث شگفتیام شدهاند، و چیزهایی که به خندهام انداختهاند؛ سیوپنج سال فهمیدن، به خاطر سپردن، تشخیص دادن، جمع کردن، و نوشتنِ چیزهایی که برایم تکاندهنده یا جذاب بوده است؛ اینکه چطور عادل باشم...؛ چطور استرس کمتری داشته باشم...؛ چطور خوش بگذرانم...؛ چطور کمتر به آدمها آسیب بزنم...؛ چطور آدم خوبی باشم...؛ چطور چیزیکه میخواهم را به دست بیاورم...؛ چطور در زندگی به معنا برسم...؛ چطور خودِ واقعیام باشم
همزمان که مامان، اگزیستانسیالیسمیِ بیپرواگونهای ر،ا به ما میآموخت، بابا به ما یاد میداد عقلِ سلیم داشته باشیم؛ او مردی بود که برای آقا و خانم گفتنها، انضباط، وفاداری، تسلیم نشدن، و پول درآوردن ـ به اندازهای که بتوان برای خانواده امنیت ایجاد کرد ـ ارزش زیادی قائل بود؛ او نقاشی هم میکشید، کلاس باله میرفت، برای تیم فوتبال «گرین بِی پکرز» بازی میکرد، تاسبازی را دوست داشت، اسیرِ ترفند پانزی بود، و بیشترِ اوقات به جای اینکه چیزی بخرد آن را برنده میشد، او آرزو داشت یک وقت شانساش بگیرد، و پول زیادی برنده شود، تا خودش را بازنشسته کند، و یک مغازه ی «پُرکن بخور» در ساحل «فلوریدا» بزند؛ بابا که برای ساختارمند کردنِ سه پسرش ساختارِ آنها را میشکست، برای چراغزردها احترام زیادی قائل بود، و میخواست حتماً اول اصول را یاد بگیریم، و بعد فردگراییِ خودمان را مطرح کنیم؛ به قول فوتبالیها اول دفاع و تَکل را یادمان داد، تا بعد بتوانیم حمله کنیم؛ همه میدانستند مردِ خانه چه کسی است و اگر هر کدام از سه پسرش میخواستند این مفهوم را به چالش بکشند، میگفت: «میدونی کجا میتونی پیدام کنی!» ما از او میترسیدیم؛ نه به این خاطر که به ما آسیب رسانده یا اذیتمان کرده باشد، فقط به این دلیل که پدرمان بود؛ ما او را الگوی خودمان میدانستیم؛ او از قانون و حکومت بالاتر بود، و احمقها را اذیت نمیکرد، مگر اینکه اعتراف میکردید احمقاید! مردی با ظاهرِ یک خرس که دلش برای آدمهای فقیر و ضعیف میسوخت، و همیشه درباره ی خودش و دنیا بذله گویی میکرد؛ مثلاً میگفت: «ترجیح میدم پولم رو صرف خوشگذرونی کنم تا اینکه سرِ پول درآوردن حوصلهم سر بره.» پدرم مردی بود که به خودش افتخار میکرد و اگر کسی به او فرصتِ دوباره میداد، هرگز این لطف را فراموش نمیکرد؛ یکبار اواخر دهه ی هشتاد، بعد از اینکه یک کارمند بانک درخواستِ واماش را رد کرده بود ـ وامی که میتوانست او را از زیرِ بارِ قرض بیرون بیاورد ـ گفته بود: «الان یا میتونی در رو روی من ببندی، یا میتونیم با هم از در بریم بیرون!» در نهایت هم وام را گرفت و او و کارمند بانک با هم از در رفتند بیرون؛ او عاشقِ مهمانیگرفتن بود، عاشق خوشنوشی، و داستانتعریفکردن؛ انصافاً هم که به هر سهشان حسابی مسلط بود.)؛ پایان نقل
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 08/02/1401هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
January 13, 2021
I went with high hopes into this book, very sure that I would like it as I have always enjoyed his work. But things didn't go as well. There are few things that I didn't like.
The first thing that struck me odd was how he painted the picture of domestic violence. He went into details once but told that it was the norm, this was how the parents showed their love. And it was quite scary.
Then there was him saying that stealing is not bad unless you got caught (he got it from his parents), come on you're 50 year old and if you think this is right then there is something seriously wrong with you.
The first time he met his wife, his behaviour was creepy. I had a hard time believing that a successful actor could not arrange a car to drop the lady to her home.
He didn't talk about his movies except Dazed and Confused, and A Time to Kill. This book was more about self discovery, on almost all the occasions that he shared everyone was well behaved and how he always won everyone whomever he met stoking his ego.
But one thing that I loved about this memoir is how he told it. He is a gifted story teller.
The first thing that struck me odd was how he painted the picture of domestic violence. He went into details once but told that it was the norm, this was how the parents showed their love. And it was quite scary.
Then there was him saying that stealing is not bad unless you got caught (he got it from his parents), come on you're 50 year old and if you think this is right then there is something seriously wrong with you.
The first time he met his wife, his behaviour was creepy. I had a hard time believing that a successful actor could not arrange a car to drop the lady to her home.
He didn't talk about his movies except Dazed and Confused, and A Time to Kill. This book was more about self discovery, on almost all the occasions that he shared everyone was well behaved and how he always won everyone whomever he met stoking his ego.
But one thing that I loved about this memoir is how he told it. He is a gifted story teller.
November 30, 2020
4.5 stars
It's fair to say Matthew McConaughey marches to the beat of his own drum. And bongos. (Yes, the infamous naked bongo playing arrest is brought up in this memoir, and yet, it doesn't seem as weird now in 2020 as it did back when it happened in 1999.) So it wasn't surprising to me that he wrote a unique memoir. While I enjoyed reading this book on my Kindle, I do think it might be even better as an audiobook. The life advice type stuff that is interjected throughout the book will probably flow better with the audio version, especially if you are listening to that famous Southern drawl.
Many celebrities use a ghostwriter when coming out with a memoir. Matthew McConaughey has kept a diary for decades so he had a lot of material to work with and this is one of the rare times I believe the famous person wrote it with minimal or no outside help. In his memoir he shares stories from his childhood, career, and life as a husband and father. If you are looking for a memoir full of dirt and gossip, this one isn't it. But even though he doesn't really go into his dating life prior to meeting his wife and there isn't much behind the scenes movie tidbits, I did walk away after reading this memoir feeling like I got to know the real Matthew McConaughey. He somehow found a way to let you into his life while still maintaining a sense of privacy.
I've read many celeb memoirs over the years and hands down, this one is among my favorites. Definitely recommend reading this book as he is a fascinating person. And now I feel like I have to go look for my dvd of A Time to Kill to rewatch his breakout role.
It's fair to say Matthew McConaughey marches to the beat of his own drum. And bongos. (Yes, the infamous naked bongo playing arrest is brought up in this memoir, and yet, it doesn't seem as weird now in 2020 as it did back when it happened in 1999.) So it wasn't surprising to me that he wrote a unique memoir. While I enjoyed reading this book on my Kindle, I do think it might be even better as an audiobook. The life advice type stuff that is interjected throughout the book will probably flow better with the audio version, especially if you are listening to that famous Southern drawl.
Many celebrities use a ghostwriter when coming out with a memoir. Matthew McConaughey has kept a diary for decades so he had a lot of material to work with and this is one of the rare times I believe the famous person wrote it with minimal or no outside help. In his memoir he shares stories from his childhood, career, and life as a husband and father. If you are looking for a memoir full of dirt and gossip, this one isn't it. But even though he doesn't really go into his dating life prior to meeting his wife and there isn't much behind the scenes movie tidbits, I did walk away after reading this memoir feeling like I got to know the real Matthew McConaughey. He somehow found a way to let you into his life while still maintaining a sense of privacy.
I've read many celeb memoirs over the years and hands down, this one is among my favorites. Definitely recommend reading this book as he is a fascinating person. And now I feel like I have to go look for my dvd of A Time to Kill to rewatch his breakout role.
January 11, 2021
4 stars
I’ve read several memoirs lately and this has definitely been the most fun. Matthew McConaughey has had an interesting life and I absolutely loved his narration and his outlook on life. Quite a few times I laughed out loud. I enjoyed this one lots.
I’ve read several memoirs lately and this has definitely been the most fun. Matthew McConaughey has had an interesting life and I absolutely loved his narration and his outlook on life. Quite a few times I laughed out loud. I enjoyed this one lots.
Audio book source: Libby (library borrow)
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Matthey McConaughey
Narration Rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Memoir
Length: 6 hours and 42 minutes
January 29, 2021
This was such a fun read written in a very cool and unusual style.
Matthew McConaughey is such a cool guy and he lives his life the way he want to live it. In the book he tells you his story about staying true to himself, and every time he strays from that, he stops, centers himself and then become even more successful and happy because of being himself. And this in an industry and a world where everyone tries to be something they are not.
His stories and dreams can take strange turns at time, but you have to read this book with an open mind. Also included throughout the book he puts in his little "bumperstickers" and poems that he wrote in his journals through the years. And the coolest thing in the book for me is that his biggest dream in life was to become a father.
Highly recommended if you are up for something fresh!!
Matthew McConaughey is such a cool guy and he lives his life the way he want to live it. In the book he tells you his story about staying true to himself, and every time he strays from that, he stops, centers himself and then become even more successful and happy because of being himself. And this in an industry and a world where everyone tries to be something they are not.
His stories and dreams can take strange turns at time, but you have to read this book with an open mind. Also included throughout the book he puts in his little "bumperstickers" and poems that he wrote in his journals through the years. And the coolest thing in the book for me is that his biggest dream in life was to become a father.
Highly recommended if you are up for something fresh!!
December 7, 2020
I couldn’t do it. I had 2.5 hours left and I tossed in the towel.
We all knew that boy in grade 11 who was super hot, had everyone swooning as he walked down the hall, even though he was as shallow as the day is long and had zero comprehension of life outside of the school hallway. That guy who peaked at age 17, with his ‘witty’ come-ons and overly confident swagger being worn right out by the time we graduated high school.
Well that guy at that age is this book. So if you’re 15 years old, it might be profound, or life changing, or inspiring, or attractive, or something to cherish, or even tell your best friend about, or anything more than this arrogant-stew served with undeserving smug confidence.
This book is AWFUL! Unless you enjoy mixed metaphors, cliched ‘bumper stickers’, hollow ‘prescriptions’, and serious revisionist codependent stupidity dressed up as ‘green lights’, all delivered with a smug arrogance unrivaled by any other book or character I’ve ever encountered*.
Bumper stickers are cliches Matt claims are profound enough we should commit them to memory, like bumper stickers are something people look to for profundity or life guidance.
Prescriptions are hollow epithets he thinks will change your entire outlook on life, if only you stick to it.
Green lights are the circumstances and situations that move you forward - and anything can be a green light if you just look at it right (ie ignore the abusive toxicity, con-man logic, or outright illegality of things 🤷🏻♀️)
I don’t even know how many times I exclaimed out loud ‘oh fuck off’ when Matt shouted out ‘PRESCRIBE!’ or ‘BUMPER STICKER!’, let alone ‘GREENLIGHT!’
The story-telling was fine, and if Matt had stuck with this being a book of stories of his life, it’d get a thumbs up from me. But wrapping this up to sell as some sort of life advice tome — not at all alright alright alright. In fact it is downright awful.
We all knew that boy in grade 11 who was super hot, had everyone swooning as he walked down the hall, even though he was as shallow as the day is long and had zero comprehension of life outside of the school hallway. That guy who peaked at age 17, with his ‘witty’ come-ons and overly confident swagger being worn right out by the time we graduated high school.
Well that guy at that age is this book. So if you’re 15 years old, it might be profound, or life changing, or inspiring, or attractive, or something to cherish, or even tell your best friend about, or anything more than this arrogant-stew served with undeserving smug confidence.
This book is AWFUL! Unless you enjoy mixed metaphors, cliched ‘bumper stickers’, hollow ‘prescriptions’, and serious revisionist codependent stupidity dressed up as ‘green lights’, all delivered with a smug arrogance unrivaled by any other book or character I’ve ever encountered*.
Bumper stickers are cliches Matt claims are profound enough we should commit them to memory, like bumper stickers are something people look to for profundity or life guidance.
Prescriptions are hollow epithets he thinks will change your entire outlook on life, if only you stick to it.
Green lights are the circumstances and situations that move you forward - and anything can be a green light if you just look at it right (ie ignore the abusive toxicity, con-man logic, or outright illegality of things 🤷🏻♀️)
I don’t even know how many times I exclaimed out loud ‘oh fuck off’ when Matt shouted out ‘PRESCRIBE!’ or ‘BUMPER STICKER!’, let alone ‘GREENLIGHT!’
The story-telling was fine, and if Matt had stuck with this being a book of stories of his life, it’d get a thumbs up from me. But wrapping this up to sell as some sort of life advice tome — not at all alright alright alright. In fact it is downright awful.
February 21, 2024
Alright alright alright!
از ازل عاشق متیو مک کانهی بودم و الان عاشق کتابش و قلمش هم هستم!
میدونی، خوندن این کتاب یه جوری بود: انگار خودش بود که داشت برات حرف میزد، تعریف میکرد، انگار راستین کول توی true detective با یه سیگار روشن لای انگشتاش و یه شیشه آبجو روبه روش، داشت برات از تجربه های زندگیش، از شکست ها و موفقیت هاش میگفت...با همون صدا و لحن خاص و دوست داشتنی خودش...
متن کتاب آروم و روان و صمیمی و دوست داشتنی بود...زیاده گویی نداشت. از خودش بیخودی تعریف نمی کرد. اعتقادات و ارزش هاشو دو��ت داشتم...آروم آروم م��خوندمش تا مزه کلمه هاش رو حسابی حس کنم و درست و حسابی بهم بچسبه...و چسبید! از اون کتاب هایی که باید زیر خیلی از جمله هاش خط کشید (خیلی کم اینکارو میکنم مگر در موارد استثنایی مثل این کتاب) و هی برگشت و دوباره و دوباره خوند...
همیشه توی ذهنم متیو مک کانهی یه آدم باحال و خاص بود، و راستش فکرشم نمیکردم از اینی که تصورشو میکردم باحال تر و قوی تر و مصمم تر و مردتر باشه...
از همون جمله های اول کتاب هم میدونستم که قراره چندین بار دیگه هم بخونمش...و سیر نشم...
بسی لذت بردم از خوندش بسی....
همین.
از ازل عاشق متیو مک کانهی بودم و الان عاشق کتابش و قلمش هم هستم!
میدونی، خوندن این کتاب یه جوری بود: انگار خودش بود که داشت برات حرف میزد، تعریف میکرد، انگار راستین کول توی true detective با یه سیگار روشن لای انگشتاش و یه شیشه آبجو روبه روش، داشت برات از تجربه های زندگیش، از شکست ها و موفقیت هاش میگفت...با همون صدا و لحن خاص و دوست داشتنی خودش...
متن کتاب آروم و روان و صمیمی و دوست داشتنی بود...زیاده گویی نداشت. از خودش بیخودی تعریف نمی کرد. اعتقادات و ارزش هاشو دو��ت داشتم...آروم آروم م��خوندمش تا مزه کلمه هاش رو حسابی حس کنم و درست و حسابی بهم بچسبه...و چسبید! از اون کتاب هایی که باید زیر خیلی از جمله هاش خط کشید (خیلی کم اینکارو میکنم مگر در موارد استثنایی مثل این کتاب) و هی برگشت و دوباره و دوباره خوند...
همیشه توی ذهنم متیو مک کانهی یه آدم باحال و خاص بود، و راستش فکرشم نمیکردم از اینی که تصورشو میکردم باحال تر و قوی تر و مصمم تر و مردتر باشه...
از همون جمله های اول کتاب هم میدونستم که قراره چندین بار دیگه هم بخونمش...و سیر نشم...
بسی لذت بردم از خوندش بسی....
همین.
October 31, 2020
Not alright, alright, alright.
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