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Alan Cumming is an amazing actor/singer/director etc etc. I have enjoyed him on film, TV and stage but his performance with The National Theatre of Scotland in The Bacchae was the most amazing and unforgettable thing I have ever seen. I also think his episode of Who Do You Think You Are? is one of the most remarkable they've had. He has written this book as his journey through a particular period of his life and obviously felt a connection to the secrets and lies in his grandfather's life as in his own. I did think he looked a little rough during the programme and now I know why. I'll be watching for it being repeated so I can study it further. It was also great to learn how little the celebrities are told as I always wondered how much they know before they set off.

As for the book - it was a very quick read for me, I really didn't want to put it down. This is very obviously Alan Cumming’s voice throughout and that voice is reflective, angry and for quite a chunk of the book very, very broken. This is not a ‘celeb’ biog that mentions countless famous people or encounters and we’re saved the usual ‘lovey actor’ guff where the reader is treated to a basic chronological run down of every movie/album/award ceremony they’ve ever attended. Plus we’re spared any reminiscing about that trip up a mountain that they felt they had to do to connect to the starving millions (how many of those are out there?). What Alan has created is a cathartic unloading of all the complete crap that came his way both as a child and during events in 2010, enabling him to look deeply at how it has defined him and made him the person he is today. Alan’s honesty is raw, as is his recollection of the brutality of his father. It is really hard to believe the man’s behaviour and the fear they must have lived in. At times this makes for an emotional, uneasy read. But as open and as stark as Alan’s memoir is, it’s clear to see that he’s come through it all, thanks to the love and support of his husband Grant, his brother Tom and the wonderful Mary Darling, his mother.

At this year's unconvention, I'm giving away my 50 favourite books for my 50th birthday. This was a favourite I read in 2015.

Got this book from earthcaroleanne's 50 favourite books table. Happy Birthday!

This is a very good memoir, although not an easy read. He had such a tough childhood and it's a heart-wrenching story. I'll definitely look out for his episode of Who Do You Think You Are, as I didn't see it when it was originally broadcast. Thanks for sharing - this will remain in my thoughts for quite a while.

I was very pleased to see this on Icila's wishlist, so it is stowing away in the same parcel as a bookring.

Thank you for this surprise Fifna !