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Brat: An '80s Story Hardcover – May 11, 2021

by Andrew McCarthy (Author)
Goodreads Choice Award nominee
See all formats and editions
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From an actor and director who got his start as a Brat Pack member,  an emotionally poignant memoir,  perfect for fans of Patti Smith's Just Kids and Rob Lowe's Stories I Only Tell My Friends. The inspiration for the Hulu documentary.

Everyone knows Andrew McCarthy from his iconic movie roles in Pretty in Pink,  St. Elmo's Fire, Weekend at Bernie's, and Less than Zero. A member of the legendary Hollywood Brat Pack (including Rob Lowe, Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, and Demi Moore), his filmography has come to represent both a genre of film and an era of pop culture.
 
In Brat, McCarthy focuses on that singular moment in time. The result is a revealing look at coming of age in a maelstrom, reckoning with conflicted ambition, innocence, addiction, and masculinity. 1980s New York City is brought to vivid life in these pages, from scoring loose joints in Washington Square Park to skipping school in favor of the dark revival houses of the Village–where he fell in love with the movies that would change his life.
 
Filled with personal revelations of innocence lost to heady days in Hollywood with John Hughes and an iconic cast of characters, Brat is a surprising and intimate story of an outsider caught up in a most unwitting success.
 
 
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  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Grand Central Publishing
  4. Publication date
    May 11, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    5.85 x 1.1 x 8.6 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1538754274
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1538754276
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

brat, 80s, andrew mccarthy

brat, 80s, andrew mccarthy

brat, 80s, andrew mccarthy

Editorial Reviews

Review

“With wit, wisdom, and a depth of honesty that will resonate to your core, Andrew McCarthy lays down the armor of an unknowable scared boy to shine light on the complex and conflicting pieces that make up the intelligent, introspective, compassionate, and wise man who is even more lovable than the boy we first fell in love with.”―Demi Moore, actress and New York Times bestselling author of Inside Out

“How lucky we are that Andrew McCarthy, such a key player in the Brat Pack phenomenon, should happen to be so naturally gifted a writer and so piercingly, ruefully, and hilariously wise, intelligent, and insightful a chronicler of that wild ride. He somehow survived the madness, and the result is a truly rewarding addition to the bookshelves of film lovers everywhere.”―Stephen Fry, writer, actor, and comedian

“Andrew McCarthy is one of the best. He’s a dogged character: witty and wry, self-abnegating, always questioning his success. Thanks to his prodigious talents, he succeeds beautifully. This unlikely leading man explores masculinity, success, the dangers of fame, ambition, and cigarettes in this elegant and humorous coming-of-age story of a Brat Pack actor turned director and writer.”―Candace Bushnell, bestselling author and creator of Sex and the City

“My only quibble with this absorbing, thoughtful, and sometimes painfully honest memoir is with the title; McCarthy is anything but a brat. He is certainly an unlikely movie star, and the story of how this diffident and insecure young man found himself at the center of the culture in the 1980s—and then decided to walk away from it all—makes for a fascinating read.”―Jay McInerney, author of Bright Lights, Big City and The Good Life

"With “Brat: An ’80s Story,” out May 11, [McCarthy] offers not only a recollection of his experiences shooting films like “Pretty in Pink,” “Mannequin,” “Weekend at Bernie’s” and the Georgetown-set ensemble “St. Elmo’s Fire,” but a broader exploration of the tangled nature of success, fame, his complicated relationship with his father and his personal demons. Less sordid tell-all, more contemplative reflection."―The Washington Post

"[McCarthy] reveals a few fun behind-the-scenes details (he had to reshoot the prom scene in Pretty in Pink while wearing an ill-fitting wig!), but [Brat] is no salacious tell-all. With bracing intimacy and honesty, he digs deep to chronicle his own self-destructive alcohol abuse and his intense discomfort in the spotlight."―Parade

"[McCarthy's] perspective is welcome, his insight more, much more, than zero."―USA Today

"McCarthy’s stories not only offer dishy name-dropping, but also near-constant humorous self-deprecation as he looks at his past with the advantages of age and time."

―A.V. Club

“Shrewd storytelling ...brutal honesty…a timeless whirl through the surreal Hollywood shuffle."―Entertainment Weekly

 “[E]lectrifying. . . [C]ompelling and lyrical.”―Irish Independent

"If “Pretty in Pink,” “St. Elmo’s Fire” and “Less than Zero” continue to stay in heavy rotation on your must-watch list, odds are Andrew McCarthy’s new memoir is as much a no-brainer as Andie ending up with Blane at the prom. The Brat Packer focuses on growing up in New York City in the ’80s, getting candid about lost innocence and the highs and lows of his rise to fame in Hollywood."―CNN

“Students of acting will appreciate learning about McCarthy’s versions of method acting and his struggles with performing for a camera. Fans of ’80s cinema will love the chance to reminisce.”―Library Journal

“[A] heartful memoir…McCarthy is clear-eyed and unsparing about Hollywood but takes the emotional intensity of the actor’s craft and life seriously. The result is a riveting portrait of the artist as a young man.”―Publishers Weekly

"[L]ong-awaited. . . [A]n incessantly grabby page-turner."―National Review

"[Brat] is an honest exploration of the highs and lows of being part of the Hollywood crowd."―Town & Country

"Aside from a squeal-inducing trip down memory lane for anyone who grew up in the Brat Pack era, Andrew McCarthy's Brat: An '80s Story is a surprisingly, and refreshingly, honest memoir."―Forbes

"Andrew McCarthy is giving readers an inside look at what life as a member of Hollywood's Brat Pack was really like in Brat: An '80s Story. His memoir focuses on what it was like for the Pretty in Pink star to come of age during one of the most significant eras in Hollywood's pop culture history."―PopSugar

"Andrew McCarthy, the star of St. Elmo’s Fire and Pretty in Pink, looks back on one glitzy, debaucherous decade in Brat. . . [T]his memoir is a must-read for any film fan."―Bustle

"[Brat] has a little something for everyone. . . [A]n entertaining, yet self-reflective, romp down memory lane. McCarthy’s writing is solid and flowing, honest and critical. Fans with a special place in their heart for ‘80s nostalgia are sure to enjoy the stories shared here."―The Nerd Daily

PRAISE FOR ANDREW MCCARTHY

"Soulful and searching . . . McCarthy's prose shines with intelligence and intimacy . . . A long, strange trip on the direction of full-throttle love."―Cheryl Strayed, New York Times Book Review

"McCarthy ponders some of the biggest and most frightening questions surrounding intimacy: How does a loner connect? How does a traveler settle down? How do we merge into families without losing ourselves? The answer seems to be that all these things are impossible...and yet somehow we do it anyway. There is much to be learned, and much to be admired, in this elegant, thoughtful story."―Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love

"A candid, touching, and often humorous new memoir."―San Francisco Chronicle

"Andrew McCarthy treks from Baltimore to the Amazon, exploring his commitment issues as fearlessly as he scales Mount Kilimanjaro."―Elle

"Brave and moving. . . McCarthy's keen sense of scene and storytelling ignites his accounts...[t]hreaded with an exemplary vulnerability and propelled by a candid exploration of his own life's frailties."―National Geographic

"This is not some memoir written by an actor who fancies himself a world traveler. McCarthy really is a world traveler - and a damned fine writer, too...To readers who think, "Andrew McCarthy? Really?" the answer is a resounding and emphatic yes. Really."―Booklist

"Rarely have I seen the male psyche explored with such honesty and vulnerability. This is the story of a son, a father, a brother, a husband, a man who finds the courage not only to face himself, but to reveal himself, and, in so doing, illuminates something about what it is to be human, fully alive, and awake."―Dani Shapiro, author of Devotion

"It's hard to write books that are both adventurous and touching, but Andrew McCarthy manages to pull it off and more! A smart, valuable book."―Gary Shteyngart, bestselling author of Super Sad True Love Story and Absurdistan

"Where lesser writers might reach for hyperbole and Roget to describe such exotic lands as Patagonia, Kilimanjaro and Baltimore, in The Longest Way Home, McCarthy leans on subtlety, a straightforward style and hard-won insights to allow his larger stories to unfold. It's not hard to imagine him as the solitary figure in the café, scribbling in a notebook by candlelight, making the lonely, tedious work of travel writing look romantic and easy."―Chuck Thompson, author of Better Off Without 'Em and Smile When You're Lying

About the Author

Since starring in the movies he recounts throughout Brat, Andrew McCarthy has become a director, an award-winning travel writer, and a bestselling author. He has directed more than eighty hours of television, including Orange in the New Black, The Blacklist, Gossip Girl, and many others. For a dozen years he served as editor at large at National Geographic Traveler, and his award-winning travel writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, TIME, and elsewhere. He is the author a travel memoir, The Longest Way Home, and a young-adult novel, Just Fly Away—both New York Times bestsellers.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grand Central Publishing (May 11, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1538754274
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1538754276
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.85 x 1.1 x 8.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

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Andrew McCarthy

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
4,585 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the storyline fascinating, charming, and honest. They also describe the content as endearing and intelligent. Readers praise the writing style as poignant, intelligent, and thoughtful. They find the writing quality humorous and honest depiction of Andrew McCarthy's life and career. However, some find the plot boring.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
StorylineWriting qualityWriting styleContentNostalgiaPlot
210 customers mention "Storyline"210 positive0 negative

Customers find the storyline fascinating, thoughtful, and worth the wait. They also mention that the memoir is relatable and charming.

"...His experience is moving and insightful and such a good read. I will be looking out for more of his work. His documentary was excellent...." Read more

"This was a good memoir. I've decided to write a review for it in hopes of encouraging Andrew McCarthy to continue writing...." Read more

"...Elmo’s Fire, Pretty In Pink and Less Than Zero, so it was nice to read this biography about the star of those movies and one of the “Brat Pack”...." Read more

"Great read!" Read more

134 customers mention "Writing quality"134 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thoughtfully written, witty, and easy to read. They also say the author is talented, humble, and an amazing actor.

"...one that you'll take a while to read and digest, because it's so thoughtfully written that you don't want to miss any part of it...." Read more

"..."The Brat Pack" (TBP) -- hey, I like creating acronyms -- is somewhat funny. But it's a bit sad as well...." Read more

"...He writes so eloquently and really bares himself in this story, starting with his childhood and talking about his journey...." Read more

"Andrew did an amazing job writing this book. It was nice to have an insiders look into the “brat pack”. I always loved them." Read more

81 customers mention "Writing style"78 positive3 negative

Customers find the writing style poignant, well written, and refreshingly human. They also say the author bares himself in the story and is good at describing surrounding environments and events. Readers also mention the book is caring and intelligent.

"...I will be looking out for more of his work. His documentary was excellent. I watched all of The Blacklist and never knew he directed some episodes." Read more

"...The author is so good at describing surrounding environments and events, relating to the emotions and experiences that he was having at a particular..." Read more

"...He writes so eloquently and really bares himself in this story, starting with his childhood and talking about his journey...." Read more

"...me to see Andrew McCarthy was a full person, much more interesting, intelligent and isolated than just my teenage fantasy...." Read more

39 customers mention "Content"36 positive3 negative

Customers find the content intimate and shockingly honest.

"...He is open and honest about what he had to learn the hard way and about alcohol and drugs trying hard to consume him forever...." Read more

"...the viewpoint of a man willing to be introspective, vulnerable, and honest... an adult who has outlived the box we've all held him in..." Read more

"...Something, he owns up to in this very telling, very well written memoir...." Read more

"...This book was tastefully done, very truthful, without being a "tell-all," which so many actors tend to write...." Read more

21 customers mention "Nostalgia"18 positive3 negative

Customers find the book brings back great 80s memories. They also say it avoids hyperbole about the era and is a pleasure to read.

"...and smile at the Brat he once was, this a memoir that feels nostalgic without the romanticism, and names are dropped without the gossipy, tell-all..." Read more

"...I had no idea Andrew was such a skilled writer. I was washed with waves of nostalgia and he reminisced about his career and life-altering events...." Read more

"...They are classics. I wish he would have found the joy or fun in those films instead of dwelling on the negatives...." Read more

"...This was a really good read and brought back some good memories of coming of age in the 80’s." Read more

30 customers mention "Plot"6 positive24 negative

Customers find the plot of the book boring and lacking in actual brat stories.

"...Less than Zero (good cast but unwatchable and apparently the cast was a bit too method)..." Read more

"...What a boring book. My biggest gripe? I paid real money for it. Yes, i wasted money on this empty between the covers 'book'...." Read more

"...Either way, it wasn't near the interesting read I thought it would be...." Read more

"...His experience is moving and insightful and such a good read. I will be looking out for more of his work. His documentary was excellent...." Read more

A Writer Who Bares All
5 out of 5 stars
A Writer Who Bares All
For me, what was so compelling about this book, was the juxtaposition between who we thought Andrew McCarthy was , through the depiction of the BRAT Pack created by the media back in the 80s, and who he actually was: a young man, and aspiring actor, who was just looking for work, credibility, and validation that he genuinely craved and had been lacking throughout his childhood. This wasn't a memoir written for the sake of nostalgia, or reminiscing the good old days, it was an honest, and at times, even a raw account of a very confusing time of life for somebody who almost overnight, achieved fame, and a reputation that couldn't have been further from his truth. There were times throughout where I felt he could have included more detail, but it makes sense that there would be more detail. I'm sure this book could have been more lengthy, that he could have drawn entire pictures of what happened day-in and day-out on sets, in his home life, in college, and nights at the bars..but he gave enough of a sliver of so many different memories that seemed pertinent, if not life changing. Overall, I feel like he did a great job crafting his successes, both as an actor, and as a writer, and he did it with honesty, and sensitivity towards himself, and to others whom he met along the way.
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Top reviews from the United States

Al/Jeanne, Hackensack NJ
5.0 out of 5 stars 80's Story for all Generations
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2024
Verified Purchase
I couldn't put this book down. I started watching the documentary but stopped to read this first. I grew up in the 80's and loved (still love) all of the "brat pack" movies and actors. My teenage friends and I could relate and find comfort that we weren't alone in our feelings. I remember hearing and seeing the "brat pack" nickname but never gave it much thought. Nothing would have diminished my admiration.
My mom (the silent generation) would always enjoy these films and now my 16 yo (gen z) loves the very same movies. I can still watch them with her and walk away happy. You don't need to be an 80s kid to enjoy this book. Everyone struggles as a teenager or young adult.

I had no idea that Andrew McCarthy was such a talented writer! He really brought me back to the gritty and exciting times in NYC. His experience is moving and insightful and such a good read. I will be looking out for more of his work. His documentary was excellent. I watched all of The Blacklist and never knew he directed some episodes.
2 people found this helpful
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CatMama
5.0 out of 5 stars Encouragement for Mr. McCarthy and the readers
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2023
Verified Purchase
This was a good memoir. I've decided to write a review for it in hopes of encouraging Andrew McCarthy to continue writing. Mr. McCarthy is very good at descriptions and drawing the reader into the story. I believe that he could write some worthwhile novels, if he put some effort into it.
That said, I enjoyed this memoir very much. I'm someone who not only likes details but I require them in order to thoroughly enjoy what I'm reading. The author is so good at describing surrounding environments and events, relating to the emotions and experiences that he was having at a particular time, that the reader almost forgets how long they've been reading. I stayed up much too late reading this memoir on several nights. Fascinating book! Thank you for writing it. Please consider writing more, whether they are memoirs for yourself, or biographies about others, or novels, etc. I really hope that you will. I'd hate to see such skill go to waste.
For the reader: This book does not go fast. It's one that you'll take a while to read and digest, because it's so thoughtfully written that you don't want to miss any part of it. You'll learn a lot about Andrew McCarthy prior to his big splash onto the big screen, and you'll learn a great deal about the grown man, as you read. I'm thankful to have read this.
12 people found this helpful
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California Dreaming
4.0 out of 5 stars Andrew McCarthy is Only a "Minor" Brat
Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2024
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I'm certainly no author, and I never really plan on becoming one. I do like to write reviews though mostly to keep my brain working. But I would imagine that the biggest compliment that can be given to any author might be: "I read your book and liked it! As a matter of fact, I liked it so much I bought another one of yours right afterwards and I'm reading it right now!"

And that's exactly what I did. Um, as a reader, of course.

"Brat: an '80s Story" (BES) is the first book that I've read from Andrew McCarthy. I just finished it yesterday, January of 2024, and then I bought and started reading, "The Longest Way Home: One Man's Quest for the Courage to Settle Down" (LWH) that same night. I will write that, even though I've travelled alot myself, I'm not really into reading the "travel genre," if that's what it's called. But I found BES entertaining so I thought, "What the heck?"

And I am a fan of Mr. McCarthy. I'm just a little younger than he is therefore I feel obligated to use the title "Mr." Ahem. But I've seen a lot of his movies and, yes, when I watched those movies, back in the 80s, I will admit I was a little jealous of his success. I suppose I'm in decent company because in BES he discusses how it was a bit difficult in his family as his brothers, as they were just a bit older but still in their 20s, were jealous of his success too. Who wasn't? Rob Lowe?

Speaking of Mr. Lowe, there is a funny short story within BES where Mr. McCarthy walks by Mr. Lowe's dressing room, where the door was slightly ajar, and Mr. McCarthy made a snarky joke about Mr. Lowe admiring himself in a mirror. I think it might've been the director that walked by at the same time and said something along the lines of, "Well, wouldn't you admire yourself if YOU were Rob Lowe?" I got a good laugh out of that, as did probably Mr. McCarthy. And probably Mr. Lowe too. But if you know anything about Mr. Lowe and his movies it was often the case that he was the "prettiest" star in the film. "If you've got it, flaunt it!" as they say.

There are a lot of funny stories within a story though in BES, probably too many to discuss in a short review. Not that I'm used to writing a "short" review. The story about how an article was written back in the 80s which created the moniker "The Brat Pack" (TBP) -- hey, I like creating acronyms -- is somewhat funny. But it's a bit sad as well. Luckily for Mr. McCarthy, as he brings up in BES, he had to be somewhere else at the time while Emilio Estevez was unfortunately giving the interviewer plenty of bulletin-board material to include in an upcoming article, material that wasn't exactly flattering. Thus the "brat" part. But while Mr. McCarthy is considered to be a member of TBP he is simultaneously lucky that he's not TOO much associated with them. He gets the praise but luckily he doesn't get too much of the criticism. And it's probably fair.

Mr. McCarthy discusses how he doesn't much like publicity or having to do dreaded "pressers." He seems to be a private person and so, after reading BES, I came away thinking that he'd be happy if he never had to do another interview. Ever. In LWH -- I'm maybe 50 pages in that travel book now -- he discusses how his wife likes to go out and be with other people but he would rather avoid the crowds. I feel it. And I laughed. My wife and I are exactly the same. As a matter of fact we just discussed this last week and she said that she wanted to go out with her friends more because I don't like hanging out with anybody. Fine by me. I can stay home and turn on the television. Or better yet, continue reading the book I just bought from Mr. McCarthy. So there.

All is not roses though of course. As with so many other famous people Mr. McCarthy has had issues with alcohol. I read Matthew Perry's book, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: a Memoir" (FLB) about a year before Mr. Perry died and, even though I liked it, I thought it could've used -- how should I say? -- a little "polishing." I get the feeling that Mr. McCarthy does a better job at writing a decent outline before taking on a new book than Mr. Perry did. It's certainly not that I didn't like FLB though. I thought that FLB was honest, brutally honest, and I liked that about the book the most. In contrast Mr. McCarthy is a bit more measured which I think is a good strategy. I mean, if you're going to write a memoir you don't want to write about EVERYTHING. I sure wouldn't. I would prune out some things that made me look too bad and luckily for me, I have a good set of pruning shears. At least my wife does.

Well, if you're a fan of Andrew McCarthy I'll give a pretty strong recommendation that you buy and read, "Brat." I would say though that the title, at least to me, is a bit ironic. After all, of all the "Brat Packers" he seems to be the one who I would maybe consider to be the least "brattish" of the bunch.
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Olalla, WA
5.0 out of 5 stars Well worth the quick read.
Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2024
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I like that this read was not a "tell-all" regarding movie stars. The authors writing about his self struggles trying to be an actor are very personally real. He is open and honest about what he had to learn the hard way and about alcohol and drugs trying hard to consume him forever. Thankfully it wasn't to be for him. Not one to boast about himself, he is quick to acknowledge many who he called on for help. Glad he was able to pay his respects to Terry and impressed with the internal truth he said to her. Not a brat at all, the book could have been titled "Leaving the brat behind" just as easy. Andrew McCarthy grew up.
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Sue
3.0 out of 5 stars Nice autobiography
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2024
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I have always been a fan of 1980s movies such as St. Elmo’s Fire, Pretty In Pink and Less Than Zero, so it was nice to read this biography about the star of those movies and one of the “Brat Pack”.

At times the story lulled, but overall it kept my attention. I expected more “dirt” on the exploits of the other members of The “Brat Pack”, not realizing that Andrew wasn’t close with his fellow actors.

I would now like to read his travel books.
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Cyndi Robinson
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2024
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We should never take what we see in the headlines and tabloids as gospel or fact; there is always another layer or side not represented, and it is shown here.

In an era such as the 80’s where everything was to the excess, this memoir by Andrew McCarthy shines as one who saw where it could go, where it could lead him to, and wisely choosing to turn away from it all. Mr. McCarthy has been one of my favorite actors from his first role in Class, and has always come across as deeper than most of his peers.

Additional kudos for it not being laden with copious obscenities!!!
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Lisa Maksenuk
5.0 out of 5 stars Ahhhhh the 80's
Reviewed in Canada on October 14, 2023
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Really really appreciated Andrew's sincerity and self depreciation. Yes, like many others who were blessed living in the 80s as young adults, I was an Andrew McCarthy fan(wow, has he aged well!) when most liked the pretty Rob Lowe. I really look forward to the film he is bringing to life speaking with all the former "Brat Packers" on their own experiences as an 80s "star".
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Sheptowers
5.0 out of 5 stars Buenos recuerdos
Reviewed in Mexico on July 14, 2022
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Entretenida autobiografía. Inevitable recordar buenos tiempos, habiendo crecido con esas películas (buenas,bobas o malas) y sus actrices/actores.
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Fiona Graham
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, nostalgic trip!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 10, 2024
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Told with incredible candour, this well-written memoir casts a shadow on the glossy world of Hollywood, but also celebrates the journey of a dream. Wise, often funny, it's a wonderfully nostalgic trip in Andrew McCarthy's shoes.
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Sziporka
5.0 out of 5 stars I love it!
Reviewed in Germany on February 10, 2023
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Perfect
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VANESSA GS
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
Reviewed in Spain on September 2, 2021
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Un libro sorprendente. Conocer de primera mano las experiencias por las que pasa un joven Andrew McCarthy, mostrándonos un mundo totalmente diferente al que teníamos pensado, es sin duda, el mejor regalo para conocer a este extraordinario actor, director y escritor.
Esperando leer su próximo libro de peregrinación por el Camino de Santiago junto a su hijo Sam!!!
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