He really is a Lucky Man (Lucky Man: a Memoir - Michael J. Fox)

Member Name: Plushroom

Product:	Lucky Man: a Memoir - Michael J. Fox
Date:	02/10/09 (18 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Inspiring, emotional, honest, well-written and funny

Disadvantages: Once you start reading you won't want to stop.

I had always wondered if Mike had written an autobiography but had never found it in book stores when browsing. So I'd always assumed he had been too busy and didn't look further. However upon stumbling accross this at an old book store that was closing down I have to say I wish I had found it sooner.

Lucky Man is the story of Michael's life up until the early 00's, but it isn't told in a straight way. You don't start at his childhood and end up at the end, instead he flits between the past and present, childhood memories and times on set. It makes it feel like a real conversation with the man, instead of a chronologic sum up of his life till now.

This book will make you laugh and cry, and I know that sounds like a cliche but it really does. From laughing at his childhood disappearing act on his new air base home to that lump in your throat the first time he describes his finger twitching out of control, you will feel the gamit of emotions. This hasn't been sugar coated or written in a way to make you feel sorry for him, in fact you will be angry with him during his recollection of the drinking problem that caused him to almost throw his life away.

Normally when an international celebrity writes about their life they like to leave out the bad things and make themselves look better, but in not falling into this trap it just makes you love Michael even more. He has flaws, and isn't afraid to admit them. He's had great moments and terrible ones and it hasn't ultimately dampened his spirits. He really does consider himself a lucky man - and upon reading this you can see why. For all the problems Parkinson's has created for him it has made him stronger, braver and more focused.

This is a must read for those who are fans of Michael J. Fox, and also for those with an interest in Parkinson's disease - this book is a very honest account of his battle and eventual acceptance of it, and all the madness of his life before, during and after.

To say this book is inspiring just doesn't go far enough to say how wonderful this book is. Pick it up and read it for yourself, and then pick up his second book Always Looking Up which came out earlier this year.

Summary: Read this!