From Under the Truck: A Memoir
3.6 3.6 out of 5 stars | 159 ratings
Price: 22.04
Last update: 12-22-2024
About this item
“Josh Brolin’s out to catch his breath between the slant-eyed suggestions and irrefutable evidence of his past. He hears voices, and he listens, reminding us with brutal honesty that our surroundings were never there to be carried, rather woven into the fabric of the freedom to be who we are.”—Matthew McConaughey
From Josh Brolin, a unique and decidedly un-celebrity memoir, by turns affecting, funny, uncanny, and unforgettable—read by the author, this edition features exclusive intro and outro music by Chris Stapleton.
Weaving a latticework of different strands, moving back and forth through time, Josh Brolin captures a life marked by curiosity, pain, devotion, kindness, humor. He recounts an unconventional childhood far from Hollywood. Raised on a ranch in Paso Robles, California, he was surrounded as a child by the wolves, cougars, and other wild animals gathered by his fearless and explosive mother, Jane Agee Brolin. Her tragic, early death haunts this book, and the force of her unforgettable personality is felt throughout. Brolin also brings to life his career in the film industry—from his breakout role in The Goonies to the set of No Country for Old Men—and the professional and personal ups and downs in between and since. With unflinching honesty but also great humor, he shares insights into relationships, addiction, love, and fatherhood, while letting the white space in between words speak for itself. Grappling with the mysteries of life and death in a way that will catch listeners by surprise, From Under the Truck is an audacious and riveting memoir from a born writer.
Top reviews from the United States
5.0 out of 5 stars Demons and angels.
Through short vignettes (occasionally written in screenplay format, poetry, or told in third person) Brolin wrestles with demons and embraces angels. His lyrical prose takes us from planes traveling at 35,000 feet, to punishing long haul Harley rides careening at 80 miles per hour, down to the very asphalt and ground itself, with Brolin’s cheek firmly planted upon it in a blacked out, hungover haze.
The beating heart of the book, however, is found in Brolin’s relationship with his mother Jane and his four children.
This is by no means a typical Hollywood centric actor’s anecdotal memoir, moving from film to film.
(In fact, Brolin is subtle and sly in referencing those with whom he’s worked or his romantic relationships. I don’t think he mentions his father’s name once, calling him “pops” instead). Rather Brolin is chasing something much deeper, more intimate. In focusing the lense on himself, his “close up” candidly reveals all the flaws and virtues, reckonings and awakenings of a quite extraordinary human being.
Highly recommended.
3.0 out of 5 stars Not sure
I see there are several glowing reviews on his style of writing … I’m happy for him as I know this was quite an undertaking, wish I liked it better !
4.0 out of 5 stars Not a Biography - But Buffet of Literary Anecdotes from Josh's life
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this Beautiful Memoir!
This book is like a crazy cookbook of his own wonderful recipes. You never know what year he is going to write about next, and you don’t know what sort of concoction he will blend for you of his memories. Will it be something about one of his movies? Will it be some sort of unbelievable (but true) childhood tale? Will it be a story of his love for his family? Whatever it might be, it will be consistent in its honesty, dazzling in it’s passion, and beautiful even when it’s ugly.
This guy can write. He’s brilliant.He’s fascinating. I couldn’t believe how unaffected this memoir is. It’s no holds barred.
A totally great book.
2.0 out of 5 stars Not Your Typical Memoir/Autobiography
Granted, a lot of people really seemed to enjoy it so I'm not going to write it off as a bad memoir. I guess since it's not what I'm used to when it comes to reading memoirs, it just wasn't my cup of tea in the way he wrote it. I hope he considers writing another one as I really am interested in learning about his amazing life experiences. I wish him nothing but the best.
1.0 out of 5 stars Really sad
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful, poetic, inspiring
It’s poetic, written in snippets, reminiscent of how our actual memories work (which is rarely in chronological order.) The detail and imagery are vivid, so much so that you feel you’re there, with your old pal Josh. And ultimately, that’s what it is: you’re there with your old pal Josh.
I found this book to be a daring masterpiece; he did it his way, that much is obvious. And it worked. 5 stars, hands down.
More books please, Mr. Brolin!