Julia Crane

This book is informative, interesting and very sweet. Terrific characters! Some cynical book critics wrote negative things about the depth of detail in the book but I think Hanks paints wonderful visuals with his words. I spent a decade working on films in Hollywood, even had the pleasure of working with Rita Wilson, Tom’s wife (who sat in my living room, a makeshift green room, for a film shot next door) and I think the critics missed the irony and insiders view expressed in the writing. For example, an assistant director (AD) who shouts to the crew… “you are loved” at the end of each shooting day, is completely believable. NOT because the AD actually loves everyone, but because “people of show” are often quirky and a little flip. Hanks captures the particular faux familiar way that people in “the business” address each other and especially the casual as-if-they-already-know-you way they sometimes greet “civilians.” I feel like I know these people, this book made me miss my days on sets in LA and long for the company of those odd creatives who see the world in completely unusual ways. I also liked the seamless thread woven through characters across decades as time passes from 1947 to 2020. BRAVO TOM!!👏🏻 A completely enjoyable journey. Highly recommend if you’re curious about Hollywood and the people in it and are in touch with your sentimental side. I look forward to future books by Tom Hanks.