Thank you Netgalley / Macmillan Audio, for the ALC and Celadon Books, #partner for the advanced copy of Being Henry: The Fonz…and Beyond in exchange for my honest review.
Publisher: Celadon Books / Macmillan Audio
Published: October 31, 2023
Summary:
From Emmy-award winning actor, author, comedian, producer, and director Henry Winkler, a deeply thoughtful memoir of the lifelong effects of stardom and the struggle to become whole.
Henry Winkler, launched into prominence by his role as “The Fonz” in the beloved Happy Days, has transcended the role that made him who he is. Brilliant, funny, and widely-regarded as the nicest man in Hollywood (though he would be the first to tell you that it’s simply not the case, he’s really just grateful to be here), Henry shares in this achingly vulnerable memoir the disheartening truth of his childhood, the difficulties of a life with severe dyslexia, the pressures of a role that takes on a life of its own, and the path forward once your wildest dream seems behind you.
Since the glorious era of Happy Days fame, Henry has endeared himself to a new generation with roles in such adored shows as Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, and Barry, where he’s revealed himself as an actor with immense depth and pathos, a departure from the period of his life when he was so distinctly typecast as The Fonz, he could hardly find work.
Filled with profound heart, charm, and self-deprecating humor, Being Henry is a memoir about so much more than a life in Hollywood and the curse of stardom. It is a meaningful testament to the power of sharing truth and kindness and of finding fulfillment within yourself.
My thoughts:
It’s not too often that I request celebrity memoirs, but I knew I had to get my hands on this one…and I’m so glad I did. Not only did I want the print copy, but when I saw that Henry Winkler himself was narrating it, I knew that was the way to go…and let me just say if you are an audio person, you MUST listen to this one. It was perfection! Even his wife, Stacey, narrates her parts. I couldn’t have loved it more!
This book is just pure joy! I remember watching Happy Days when I was young, and when Henry talked about the show, it brought it all back – so much so that I actually looked up how to watch it all over again now! It’s not really streaming anywhere, but I did watch the reunion show and that was neat to see. But this book is so much more than about Henry being the Fonz. I loved how open and candid he was about him not wanting to be typecast after that show was over. I also loved how he opened up about his struggles with dyslexia and how that affected him his whole life.
We as a society have a tendency to put celebrities up on a pedestal and this book shows just how vulnerable and real he is. He has everyday struggles just like the rest of us, but at the end of the day, the most powerful message that comes from this book is just how kind he is. There were so many instances that really touched my heart in this book and while I already loved him as an actor, I now really respect him as a person.
I can’t wait for this book to be out in the world. It hits shelves the end of October and I highly recommend picking this one up when it is available.
Audio thoughts:
I love when a memoir is narrated by the author and Henry does a phenomenal job telling his own story. He really brought it to life and having his wife, Stacey, jump in to give her perspective in her own words was just genius. This really was a fantastic audiobook and I highly recommend going the audio route if you do audiobooks.
