I sometimes find that there is more fact in fiction than there is in non-fiction. What is often described in non-fiction is how the author would like to be seen by the rest of the world. That is not the case with Pinsent's biography. This is the pure (well, sometimes the not so pure) non-adulterated Gordon. Despite his remarkable success as an actor for so many years, we see his vulnerability. Is it the acting profession that makes one vulnerable or is it the vulnerability that makes the actor? I don't know, but it is his no-nonsense late wife, Charm (lucky Charm) whom he credits with supporting his rise to success. I can hear her voice through his writing: "Oh, Gordon, get over it." Pinsent's self deprecating sense of humour is delightful and his connection with the great names of acting world throughout Canada and the States is formidable. What comes through in this book is the immense amount of hard work involved in honing one's skills as an actor. It's not all glamour, and I would recommend this as an essential read for those pursuing this career avenue.

The Good Stuff I was worried at first when I started reading this and just couldn't get into it, because I have mad love for Mr Pinsent. So I flicked on an episode of Due South, heard his voice, and voila, just needed to hear his voice to understand why I was having a difficulty. You must hear his manner of speech to understand his way of writing. Classy Very frank, doesn't hold back on some of his less than stellar moments in his life Also likes to poke fun at himself Interesting to learn about the life of a Canadian actor (especially the struggling days) Love the way he talks about his wife This better have an audio book version, because if so, I am totally buying it. I love the mans voice Enjoyed hearing about his work with all sorts of actors, both world famous ones and those mostly only recognizable to Canadians Got a kick out of the chapters on the hikes with Marlon Brando The grief and stories about his wife are touching and beautiful The Not So Good Stuff It is a wee bit too slow paced Would have liked way more photos Won't lie it disturbed me that he gave up his children from his first marriage so easily. I have always thought of him as the very fatherly type. Still love ya though Gordon (and it was an honour meeting you last year and will always remember our little chat) was just a little shocked. Favorite Quotes/Passages "In those days people were not as open to friendships between men and women, but friendship was very important to me. And I was as good at chatting as I was at catting." "Wait a minute, wait a minute," said Marlon with a disdainful squint. "You're going to Winnipeg? To do a twenty-year-old musical?" "No," I said, "I'm going to Winnipeg to do a show for John Hirsch." "Standing before a judge and agreeing not to see my children, so their mother could make a fresh start, was the lowest point of my immature young life. For the next two decades my children would see me only on television. Year later, thanks to their love and persistence, we would find each other again, and some thorny issues and unanswered questions would finally be resolved." Who Should/Shouldn't Read Perfect gift for a certain British Due South fan I love -- hmm guess what one of your gifts are going to be this year Angela Fans of Pinsent will obviously enjoy -- maybe even better as an audio book (Must go look into if their is an audio version) Also just a good read for fans of Canadian theatre, TV, movies -- yes American friends we do have an entertainment industry 4 Dewey's I received this from Random House in exchange for an honest review