By the Way

by Gordon Pinsent

The autobiography 0f Gordon Pinsent," whimsical, self-depricating and grounded in reality...lyrical too."

Genres: Nonfiction

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

Reviews

[David]

Brings back memories of the few weeks in 1984 when I was privileged to be an acting student under his direction, and to see his Cyrano multiple times. His tone in detailing all the other bits of his career that I had no part in matches the bits I know from direct contact. In my experience, Pinsent is untainted by stardom, a person genuinely interested in those around him. Others may have other feelings; I don’t really want to know.

[Samantha]

Parts of this were hilarious, especially the section about the advent of the TV. How not even putting a doily on it could make it respectable. About how all the furniture in the room was rearranged to circle it. About how sales people or religious door knockers would come to the door during a family's favourite program and be punted back down the lane with their heads rolling after them. I hovered over four stars for a while just based on that passage.

It was curious how this book focuses a lot on his daughter Leah, but not his two other kids from a previous marriage. It makes me wonder about the dynamics at play there.

Regardless, he's a finer writer than most other actors, musicians or entertainment folks out there. I'd say this is a 3.5.

[Karin]

3.5 stars. Pinsent's charm and dry wit make this a pretty enjoyable biography. He did start to lose me a bit by the end though.

[Les Kerr]

Made me smile. Story of a Newfoundlander burning to be an actor, loving the glamour of the stage and his successes and failures along the way. His muse, The Old Man of the Rock, accompanied him as he witnessed the impact of the USA on Canadian culture and his adventures in historical happenings and with his fellow screen fellows.

[Kevin Gallan]

i enjoyed reading about gordon's start in the business and growing up in newfoundland...kind of rushes thru the later years