Ode to Happiness

by Keanu Reeves, Alexandra Grant (Illustrator)

Ode to Happiness is a grown-up's picture book, a charming reminder not to take oneself too seriously. With drawings by painter Alexandra Grant, text by actor Keanu Reeves, and in collaboration with mutual friend Janey Bergam, this facsimile artists' book is about making the best of a bad situation. In the tradition of a classic "hurtin' song," Reeves' text externalizes a melancholy internal monologue and subtly pokes fun at it. Grant's images, delicately realised in sombre inky washes, reflect the dark and light, the pathos and humour of the text. Neither entirely earnest nor wholly ironic, Ode to Happiness is both a meditation and a gentle tease about how we cope with life's sorrows.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Art, Humor, Education, Philosophy

40 pages, Hardcover

First published April 21, 2011

About the author

Keanu Charles Reeves is a Canadian actor. Born in Beirut and raised in Toronto, Reeves began acting in theatre productions and in television films before making his feature film debut in Youngblood (1986). He had his breakthrough role in the science fiction comedy Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989), and he reprised his role in its sequels. He gained praise for playing a hustler in the independent drama My Own Private Idaho (1991) and established himself as an action hero with leading roles in Point Break (1991) and Speed (1994).

Following several box office failures, Reeves's performance in the horror film The Devil's Advocate (1997) was well received. Greater stardom came for playing Neo in the science fiction series The Matrix, beginning in 1999. He played John Constantine in Constantine (2005) and starred in the romantic drama The Lake House (2006), the science fiction thriller The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008), and the crime thriller Street Kings (2008). Following another commercially down period, Reeves made a successful comeback by playing the titular assassin in the John Wick film series, beginning in 2014.

In addition to acting, Reeves has directed the film Man of Tai Chi (2013). He has played bass guitar for the band Dogstar and pursued other endeavours such as writing and philanthropy.

Reviews

[Rock Angel]

"I draw a hot sorrow bath
in my despair room
with a misery candle burning
i wash my hair with regret shampoo
after cleaning myself with pain soap
i dry myself with my gorgeous white
one hundred percent and it will never change towel
then smooth on my i don’t deserve lotion
and i hate myself face cream
then i put on my alone again silk pyjamas
and go to sleep
when the hue has gone blue
and you can’t quite grin and bear it
let this word picture remind you
it can always be worse
X"

from ODE TO HAPPINESS
by Keanu Reeves

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A limited edition. This is either a dark - pretty convincing - look at depression, a hilarious act of sarcasm, or little poem written by a guy who's an actor that I like, with cute simplistic water colour line paintings done by an artist he knows. There could be a signficant element of 'the emporer's new clothes' if you wanted to read anything deeper into it - with a smattering of pretention you could easily wax eloquent for the length of a dissertation I'm sure. LOL

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for the incredibly brilliant marketing which relied on the belief that Keanu Reeves' name was enough to get me to pay Amazon the 36 dollars that they were asking for in order to own this first edition collection of paintings and poetry.


Visit my blog to see the full review:
Ode To Happiness - A Review in Pictures: http://thenextbestbookblog.blogspot.c...

[Jennifer Klenz · Rating 1 out of 5]

It took me about 30 seconds to read this book. I didn't like the illustrations and my first thought, I hate to say was, "So he really is dumb after all. I always thought he was pretending" but then upon further reflection I couldn't decide if he is or not. To me this book seems like something that could be tossed off in one night sitting around after a meal, just goofing around. And apparently that was exactly what it was. I've done that kind of goofing around drawing things under different themes with friends, but I never had it published and distributed for other people to buy and then make actual money on it. Apparently he tossed off the "poem" when making fun of a friend after dinner one night and he had no idea that she sent it to her artist friend to turn into a book. You can't browse and look into the book to see what it is like. Its all sealed up which is clever because no one would buy it otherwise. It is the size and length of a calendar with one very very simple monochromatic painted image with a few words of text on each page. It does make fun of an upper class person's depression when we have more than 98% of the world, but its not enlightening or uplifting.
Keanu makes fun of the book himself in a Youtube video of a booksigning event. Its obvious to me that this book only exists and is being sold for >$30 because he is famous.

[Elle Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel this book was written just for me which perhaps is the power of so simple a concept. It draws you in, commiserates with your pain, and then finishes by letting you know that 'it could be worse'. A beautiful moral about not taking yourself too seriously perhaps. Or maybe, an ode to wearing that suffering like a badge but then pushing on through. Accompanied by haunting watercolours, I loved this book with all my heart.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

It made me happy.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sick and on an emotional precipice.

It made me laugh and is true in its message, and made my day a little brighter.

[k✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i LOVED it

[Ahmed K-masterly {Cruel Sanity} · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We all listen to sad music" that's fine
But we really need more than a
"little gestures".

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hello,

I'm an avid reader of your books, and I am writing to invite you to join Goodreads.com, which is the largest community of book lovers online. Because you are a published author, you already have a profile on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

If you join Goodreads, you can claim this author profile and make it your own!

Here are some of the ways you can use Goodreads:
- Connect with your readers and build a following of fans
- Participate in an online Q&A session with your readers
- Blog about anything and everything
- Publicize upcoming events, such as book signings and speaking engagements
- Share excerpts of any upcoming publications
- Post videos about your books or anything you choose
- And, of course, share your list of favorite books and recent reads with your fans!

To become a Goodreads Author, follow this link:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/conf...

Sincerely,mariannevdsande@live.nl

[Hany Bashir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel this book was written just for me which perhaps is the power of so simple a concept. It draws you in, commiserates with your pain, and then finishes by letting you know that 'it could be worse'. A beautiful moral about not taking yourself too seriously perhaps. Or maybe, an ode to wearing that suffering like a badge but then pushing on through. Accompanied by haunting watercolours, I loved this book with all my heart.

[Aysina Anastasiia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hi all! I dream about this book, but in my country - Ukraine it is impossible to get it. I know this is a limited edition and this book is very hard to get, but I would really like to read it. Therefore, I have a small (actually huge) request to the forum users. Perhaps someone can share a scan of the book with me, or sell it? I would be incredibly happy if this worked out. Thanks in advance everyone and have a nice day.

[Iván Viñas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most wonderful piece of poetry ever written. It cured my stomach ache, but it left me a bit sad. However i keep going to the last line of the book for comfort, it can always be worse. You'd have to have seen the Watcher to fully appreciate this text. But if not, you might still have an aesthetic experience.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my life. I never thought that a grown up picture book would change my existence, but it has. With that said, I believe this work to be ghostwritten, as there were too many words for Keanu Reeves. He also didn’t say “yeah” enough.

[Alan Victor Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

From a philosopher's perspective, an 'Ode to Happiness' is artistically forthright and passionately authentic.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Keanu Reeves reading it, who cannot listen. It has a dark humor underlying the words that makes it wonderfully uplifting.

[Cat · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope. Found a way to cash in and took it. I'll pass.

[Laine]

Might not be good, but it's honest.

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adult picture book, which delves into the deep dark recesses of our own psyche and can shine the light on how that intensity may not be accurate. It is only 20 pages long, but it is a handy way to remind ourselves of our own contribution to our thoughts and feelings. The minimalistic artwork has an ethereal quality that feels just beyond reality. This is not a life changing book, but it is a quick little read. In interviews, the author and illustrator emphasize the humor and ability of this book to take the reader outside of themselves in an abstract way. From listening to the interview, I gathered that Mr. Reeves was being facetious and Ms. Grant joined in with her mode of expression, which is Art. As they shared this work with friends, turning it into the medium of a book was a natural next step for these two artists. Taken as it is, and not as a great work destined for the classics and if you have a few dollars burning a hole in your pocket, recommend this book.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really disappointing, since it's not a book and more like a poem.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple. Brilliant. Contemplative.

[woody · Rating 2 out of 5]

it can always be worse

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found OTH inspiring. It has turned a bad mood into a better one. I still smile when I see it on my bookshelf. Looking forward to the next Reeves and Grant collaboration.

[Alex Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing !!!! Keanu it's just a amazing person!