Alan Arkin knew he was going to be an actor from the age of five: "Every film I saw, every play, every piece of music fed an unquenchable need to turn myself into something other than what I was." An Improvised Life is the Oscar winner's wise and unpretentious recollection of the process--artistic and personal--of becoming an actor, and a revealing look into the creative mind of one of the best practitioners on stage or screen. In a manner that is direct, down-to-earth, accessible, and articulate, Arkin reveals insights not only about himself (and his audience and students), but also truths for the rest of us about work, relationships, and sense of self.
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Academy Award-winning actor Alan Arkin, who has starred and appeared in more than 80 films, is also a director, musician, and children's book author. Born in Manhattan, he currently lives in New Mexico.
Who would've thought one of the best books of the year would be written by an actor?...For the aspiring actor, it provides inspiration as well as clear-eyed instruction, and for the cinephile, it provides insights into what makes actors stand out.”
ForeWord, July/August 2011
Much like some of his personas on screen, Arkin is charming and warm in these personal recollections The advice he offers can extend into anyone's life and help them to be more flexible and open to whatever changes might arise. To improvise, Arkin believes, is to grow closer to the self in an authentic way, and for him, that growth has led to a type of clarity and serenity that's inspiring.”
San Francisco Book Review, 7/25/11
This intimate look into the life of Alan Arkin is a creation well worth exploring. It not only brings the reader into Arkin's professional life, but shares glimpses into his personal life that will resonate with the reader.”
Albuquerque Journal
More a musing on a life in acting than an autobiography Arkin comes across as wry, sometimes brusque, but earnest almost to the point of nurturing. The book is less a celebrity memoir than a serious look at the principles of acting and improvisation that have driven his life.”
Huffington Post, 3/21/11
[A] thoughtful look back at a long and distinguished career Fans and admirers of the Academy Award-winning star will enjoy An Improvised Life for the insight to be gained from this personal visit with an actor who proves to be quite deft with a pen. Those who share Arkin's interest in the acting life will find a great deal to like here, as well.”
January, 3/21/11
[A] thoughtful look back at a long and distinguished career Fans and admirers of the Academy Award-winning star will enjoy An Improvised Life for the insight to be gained from this personal visit with an actor who proves to be quite deft with a pen. Those who share Arkin's interest in the acting life will find a great deal to like here, as well.”
Massachusetts Daily Collegian, 3/24/11
This pleasure read does not require sitting with an encyclopedia or Google search open, simply an interest in the mind's workings of an icon in the arts.”
Kingman Daily Miner, 3/25/11
A lot of food for thought Highly recommended.”
Total Film, UK, May 2011
A readable look at how the young New Yorker found his way to Chicago's Second City improv troupe and made the most of the opportunities it opened up for him.”
Blogcritics.org, 3/11/11
Arkin tells his story simply, easily drawing the reader into his world. At only 191 pages, An Improvised Life is not a long book but there is a wealth of life experience in those pages. If you are at all interested in reading about the craft of acting from the point of view of one who values it above fame, you'll want to read Alan Arkin's An Improvised Life.”
Toronto Globe & Mail, 3/5/11
A memoir of an acting life, full of inside details.”
Philadelphia Inquirer, FLICKgrrrl Blog, 3/8/11
I'm charmed by [Arkin's] new memoir, An Improvised Life, and am delighted to report he has the same gravity and levity as a writer that he has as a performer Read the book. Then treat yourself with an Arkin film.”
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