I rushed to read this before seeing the movie. Surprisingly, I preferred the movie. While I was deeply moved by Gardner's life and accomplishments, a great writer he is not. I had recently read the Glass Castle (MASTERFULLY TOLD) and this did not measure up. Unfortunately, the childhood accounts are all told not from a child's perspective, but with the adult Chris's notions inserted regularly. We all know a five year old wouldn't be making the observations and conclusions that the narrative voice is making, and his insertions got in my way. I wanted him to let me connect the dots for myself. Narrative writing 101: show, don't tell. That said, though I was often frustrated by this early on, as he aged it bothered me less, and I was compelled to read through because the story IS quite remarkable. DO note that the movie ends up being a VERY small part in the life of this man. If the movie intrigues you at all, I wouldn't tell you not to read the book. But stick with it in the beginning, and don't be waiting for long descriptions of carrying heavy portable x-ray machines all around San Francisco. It's not there.