Greenlights is a 2020 book by American actor Matthew McConaughey.[1][2] It was published on October 20, 2020, by the Crown imprint of Crown Publishing Group.[3][4]
Author | Matthew McConaughey |
---|---|
Audio read by | Matthew McConaughey |
Cover artist | Miller Mobley (photo) Christopher Brand (design) Michael Morris (design) |
Language | English |
Genre | |
Publisher | Crown |
Publication date | October 20, 2020 |
Publication place | United States |
Media type | Print (hardcover), e-book, audio |
Pages | 304 |
ISBN | 978-0-593-13913-4 (hardcover) |
OCLC | 1152442722 |
791.4302/8092 B | |
LC Class | PN2287.M54545 A3 2020 |
Website | greenlights |
Background
editMcConaughey exiled himself in the desert without electricity for fifty-two days while writing the book.[5] Greenlights originated from diaries and journals McConaughey began writing when he was fourteen years old.[6] McConaughey described the book as a collection of "stories, prayers, poems, people and places and a whole bunch of bumper stickers."[7] The book includes stories and insights from McConaughey's life in chronological order. It has been described as a memoir but McConaughey has called it an "approach book".[8]
Reception
editThe book was a major best-seller, debuting at number one on The New York Times nonfiction best-seller list for the week ending October 24, 2020.[9] As of February 2022, the book has spent 55 weeks on the list.[10]
Mark Athitakis of The Washington Post called McConaughey's poetry "cringeworthy" and criticized his wisdom for being unrelatable, calling the book "stuffed with vaporous, circular proverbs for would-be McConaugheys."[11] In their review, The Times of India wrote, "The writing is conversational and easy to read, though this is one book whose audiobook form is worth listening to. The actor/author reads it himself, with the correct inflections and even does voices. It's truly entertaining."[12] In an interview with McConaughey, Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson said that the book was "a collection of great stories".[13]
References
edit- ^ Itzkoff, Dave (October 14, 2020). "Matthew McConaughey Wrote the Book on Matthew McConaughey". The New York Times. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ^ Romano, Nick (July 30, 2020). "'Are you lit?' 'Cause Matthew McConaughey is writing a memoir". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ^ "Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey". Penguin Random House. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ^ Schaub, Michael (July 30, 2020). "Matthew McConaughey Is Making His Literary Debut". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ Kirkpatrick, Emily (August 13, 2020). "Matthew McConaughey Spent 52 Days Alone in the Desert with No Electricity to Write His Memoir". Vanity Fair. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ^ Paiella, Gabriella (October 21, 2020). "Matthew McConaughey Is Thinking About His Eulogy". GQ. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ^ "Matthew McConaughey on His Memoir Writing Process: 52 Days Alone in the Desert (Without Electricity!)". People. August 12, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ^ Hunt, Elle (October 26, 2020). "Zen and the art of torso maintenance: Matthew McConaughey's guide to life". The Guardian. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
- ^ "Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction - Best Sellers - Books". The New York Times. November 8, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
- ^ "Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction - Best Sellers - Books". The New York Times. February 20, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ Athitakis, Mark (October 20, 2020). "Matthew McConaughey is 'alright, alright, alright' — and thinks you will be too". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
- ^ "Micro review: 'Greenlights' by Matthew McConaughey". The Times of India. November 16, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
- ^ "The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast - Season 4 Episode 1: Matthew McConaughey - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved January 10, 2021.