false 5 1 false false Fri Feb 08 00:00:00 -0800 2008 Mon Nov 19 17:15:19 -0800 2007 Fri Feb 08 12:38:41 -0800 2008
He warned on the first page that this was not a linear book, and boy was that right. But the timeline of his roles and jobs in the back were an enormous help for keeping track of what was happening when. He gets extra bonus points for the use of footnotes, because footnotes are awesome. Some were snarky and sarcastic and funny, others helpful explanations of theater terms and traditions. Some seemed like they were comments in response to a question about a line (to Carole?), which was fun. He wrote that he wanted it to seem like he and the reader were hanging out together, talking about his life, and that's exactly how the book reads.

So, basically, this took us from when he was born (as the child from hell) through the filming of Torchwood series 2. We heard about his family, his friends, details about his time around Chicago, an entire chapter about a friend who died with no recognition, how he met Scott (intertwined with a story of how they nearly died near the Donner pass, how he met Scott's parents, and their civil union ceremony), plus info on how he became a stage star, how things work in his field, kissing Gareth, playing with Eve, and his celebrity interactions. With a bunch of private pictures that were fun to see.

I'm not a star biography person. I don't like knowing too much about actors/singers/celebrities I like - for one, it's too invasive and hits my privacy squick level quickly. Second, and selfishly, 99% of the time, they don't live up to my expectations. They end up being stupid, idiots or think better of themselves than is warranted. This is one of the very few whose interviews I can read and watch without cringing and still respect him after. I was really pleased to see that this still holds through after reading this book.

One thing, though - he and Carole said that there were five events that he told her that made her blush, because there are things sisters should not know. I can only think of one! I wonder what the others were. Relatedly, exactly how flexible do you have to be to have sex hanging from a tree? Hmm. It warrants further pondering. If you need me, I'll just be in my bunk.]]>