Greenlights

Short walk down the first 50 years of Matt's life. Studying overseas in Australia, giving up law for film, dropping the romcom image and leaning on his family as his rock. I good mix of bumper sticker wisdom, examples from a Texas childhood and some perspective on dreams.

Really enjoyed McConaughey's philosophical portions of the book. He offers plenty of insightful thoughts on life, meaning, and purpose. There are a few sections that felt a bit “hokey” if you're picking up what I'm putting down...?

Anyways, worth a read.

Thanks Van Grootheest.

The problem with biographies is that they are generally just a succession of dates and events. In this case, on the other hand, Matthew has succeeded in recounting, in a way that is yes chronological, his life with personal reflections that can trigger good insights for introspection in the reader.

Fun! And not too "preachy"/ "holier than thou"/ self-helpy. Fun stories, fun poems, interesting takes.

Listen to the audiobook!!! His voice is iconic after all + perfect storytelling for bus rides where you look out the window.

Hook 'em forever.

Had to return - would like to finish

this book had some funny stories but was overall kinda weird. dnf at 70%.

A lot of the reviews say “It's good but don't expect any insights about his acting career”. And... this couldn't be more untrue? Yes, the book isn't entirely about his career, but the majority of it is. I don't think he's had the most interesting acting career so where this shines is when Matthew tells stories in his life. I did like the brief insight into the McConaisance” though.

I remember picking this book because of its popularity but also because he's the protagonist in one of my top 5 movies.

I'm on an artistic path myself now and I needed to hear about the system of greenlights. I am taking note of them as I go along this uncertain, scary and exciting path.

The book was paced fast and slow at times, which directly affected my interest. I did end up reading to the end which is surprising, I thought I'd give it up mid-way.

It's a good story of a good life, and I have taken lessons of my own.

I listened to the audiobook version of this. Thoroughly enjoyable. He certainly has lead a unique life. I think the book was enhanced by being read by the author. I'm not sure I would have enjoyed the book if I had read the physical copy.

I want to smoke the biggest fattest blunt with this man

I listened to this book, which I feel like is the only proper way to do this one. It's very well narrated, though the book itself is not well written. At times it's just a weird stream of consciousness with cheesy “bumper stickers” and “inspirational” platitudes. It's trying to do much with those parts when really I just wanted to hear about his life. The parts when he's just telling funny stories about his life are the best parts and made me laugh out loud.

Random thoughts as I literally just finished listening to “Greenlights,” but need to continue on with my day:1) Outside of watching a few of his movies, Matthew McConaughey has never been on my radar, so I hadn't been compelled to read his memoir when it was published in 2020. 2) A friend (who is uninterested in self-development and spirituality) told me to read this book two years ago. She said I'd love it. I tucked away the suggestion and only recently decided to borrow it from the library because I caught a bit of his “Art of Living” YouTube presentation. (I think that's what it was called.)3) Normally I need to speed up the narrators, but I had to slow Matthew down. 4) He made me laugh so hard too many times to count, and half the time it wasn't even what he was saying, it was in his enthusiasm saying it. (Which is what I initially discovered when watching his YouTube presentation.)5) I have never heard someone talk about wet dreams as much as he did—even in books about puberty. Lol. 6) The physical book is incredibly interesting to look at—it's wonderfully creative. I'd like to get a copy, take off the sleeve with his face on it (my apologies, Matt) in order to showcase the cool green lights, and display it on my coffee table. However, I want it in good condition and for at least 40% off. Hello, new book hunt! 7) “We don't live longer when we try not to die. We live longer when we're too busy living.” Yes!8) Matthew is a fascinating person. I know myself enough to understand that if I don't write anything down now, I likely will never write anything down. There are too many books calling for me to open them, and my willpower is weak. It's difficult for me to choose writing over reading.

9) My Goodreads friend (I wish we could tag each other) Jennifer Welsh included these sentences in her outstanding review: “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.”

I thought the same thing. I am endlessly amazed how people are unable to (or refuse to) recognize abusive family dynamics, and often justify it. It is mind boggling.

I honestly didn't know I was going to like this book that much, but I'm glad I picked it up. It made me remember, to turn the page when it needs be, and keep on living. The audio version is great. Recommended.

Loved this entirely

The style in which McConaughey writes this autobiography is so unique to me. I found myself reading this in that iconic drawl of his. The book itself is inspiring, and you really see a different side of a celebrity. I found the stuff about his youth the most interesting though.

I'm starting to see a theme (a very expected theme) amongst celebrity memoirs: self-aggrandizement disguised in humble origin stories and a false sense of modesty. This book fits the theme.

I'd put this somewhere between memoir and tall tale. As in, I don't believe half the shit he said he did. A German dude lending him a motorcycle for free to ride through Europe, only to not care when he totaled it? Drinking two shots of tequila and running 5 miles barefoot in the sand in 108 degree heat and wrestling cows until he got knocked out by a bull to prepare for a movie? Challenging the village champion in a remote African village, who then walked him 15 miles to the next village by foot after he earned his respect? Cmon.

I listened to the audiobook, read by the author, which I think made it more strange. He was clearly performing the whole time which, sure, makes sense – but also made him seem more detached from reality and just a little unhinged. Especially the laughing. What was with the laughing? Also, he's kind of a weird guy. I'd expect this from many other celebrities, like, IDK, Adam Driver? It's clear that he sees himself as an artist (which, okay, he kind of is). He clearly fancies himself a poet.

Then there were other things that didn't make sense. He kept yelling out, “Prescription!” “Bumper sticker!” “Note to self!” – followed by some aphorism or other (and that strange chuckle), the purpose of which I didn't quite understand because they weren't really prescriptions or bumper stickers or notes to self. I think he just wanted a reason to yell out his apothegms.

If this is meant to be read more like family lore than it is truth, so be it. I suppose it's interesting, and regardless of what's true and what isn't, the dude has lived a pretty fascinating life. I think he's a fine dude and I do quite like several of his movies – I think he's a talented actor. I just couldn't get past his own self-regard.

I read this via audiobook and it was the best way to read it as [a:Matthew McConaughey 3636965 Matthew McConaughey https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1598977375p2/3636965.jpg] narrates his own book with such amazing skill as if he was never an actor in the movies but an author instead.

4.5 stars

AUDIOBOOK

I recommend this! I am biased because I am a huge fan of his acting. This was a good mix of weird stories, laughing until I'm crying stories, and inspiring stories. I loved how he read it, the announcement of ‘prescription', ‘bumper sticker', and ‘green light'. I think him reading the book is what really made it so great. This wouldn't be as entertaining as a physical book. A couple noteworthy quotes.

This was an exceptional book, which I wasn't really expecting. TBH, I didn't know anything about ol' Matthew McConaughey except that he is in one of my top favorite movies of all time INTERSTELLAR.

If I had to take a half a point off it would be that Interstellar was only a blurb in the book, but, whatever. He had me from page one.

Do yourself a favor and listen to the audio version.

Another good memoir!

The beginning was strong and all about self-confidence and self-knowledge, then he tells some awful stories about both of his parents...but we are supposed to still align with and even celebrate his parents? which doesn't feel good. The second half is interesting stories about his career and his wandering a. The last third is arrogant and pretentious dribble. I hate to say that, because I still love him. But I finished it thinking what did I just read? And that's not how you should feel upon finishing a book, especially a memoir. If I didn't feel shook finishing Anne Heche's memoir, which is literally called Call Me Crazy, I shouldn't feel that way reading his. But the last twenty pages or more were not memoir but rather  I Am Your Guru, and they didn't feel good, and they tainted the rest of the book.

Строго для фанатов актера. Я вот люблю с ним фильмы смотреть, но биография его мне до фени. В этой же книги биография очень подробная. Интересно будет тем, кто фанатеет от ММ и тем, кого интересует жизнь и ценности белого американца из Техаса. Мне вот не очень интересно как у них там принято ссать выше роста, например. Так что, я не осилил, но честно читал часа два, так что даже, если дальше и лучше мы это не узнаем. Бестселлер в России.

А называется так, потому что — как вижу — хотел Макконахи написать автобиографию, потому что дневник ведет с 12 лет, но издатели сказали: это круто, но чтобы мы могли продать в 5 раз больше, давай там будет какая-то тема задвинута, как в книге «Секрет». Чтобы не просто факты жизни, а про преодоление и стремление и видение. Ты же не Стив Джобс, чтобы просто биография была.

Вот он стал меня лечить зеленым светом. Наверное, кому-то это поможет, но мне не подходит.

5* for the narrator though

I enjoyed his tales about his life but could have done without hearing about his wet dreams.