This memoir spans Wilson’s childhood to his “post-Office,” career. It covers a wide variety of subjects, from spirituality and comedy to acting and human connection. This work is worth a read for fans of Wilson and the office. I came into this work without substantial knowledge of either, however. With that in mind, was the work worth the read? Find out below.
Pros:
- Learn about Rainn Wilson (if that’s your jam). This book includes his upbringing, his acting career (including his training and The Office), and his current ventures, including his media company, “Soul Pancake.”
- Occasional laughs, though nothing, “gut-bustingly funny,” that I can recall
Cons:
- The author comes across as a know-it-all. From lambasting critics to scolding people for reading Wikipedia and even telling people (including the Japanese) how to eat sushi, I couldn’t help but feel the author spoke from a position of unrecognized privilege. This wouldn’t be so galling if the author didn’t also profess love, peace, understanding, and oneness.
- As an extension of the previous point, the author casually mentions “transvestites.” Maybe he didn’t have more up-to-date language, and maybe the folks he was working with identified that way, but casual usage of that term does make his talk of, “LGBT brothers and sisters,” ring a little hollow in my opinion. It is far from the worst I’ve encountered, but I still noticed.
- Though I’m guessing it sprouts from their relationship from, “The Office,” the author seems to lay into Mindy Kaling much more than she talked about him in “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?“
- [nit-pick] The author talks about an all-powerful god that could have many pronouns (like he, she, or it). The author always defaults to male pronouns, however.
Conclusion:
It’s not a bad listen, especially if you are a fan of the author or, “The Office.” I’m not convinced by his approach to religion and spirituality, but to each their own.
Check it out here.
You may also enjoy…
- “If You Ask Me,” by Betty White
- “The Totally Unscientific Study of the Search for Human Happiness,” by Paula Poundstone
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