Reviewed by Kristin
How many chances do you get to make your way through
someone’s life (other than your own) by making a series of choices? If you choose to audition for a television
show which will showcase you as a teen star, turn to page 14. If you would rather try your hand at magic,
turn to page 68. If you had a happy
childhood, turn to page 26. Otherwise,
turn to page 287 where you will find yourself unemployed, sitting on the couch
eating Cheetos and getting orange gunk all over the remote.
Okay, okay, none of these are actual bits from Neil Patrick
Harris’ autobiography. But that is the
flavor of the wry look the author takes at his own life. From being a teen heartthrob as Doogie
Howser, M.D., to having twins by surrogate with husband David Burtka, Harris
talks about his life with the knowledge that he has been fortunate in his home
life and career.
Well known for his recent nine year stint on the television
comedy “How I Met Your Mother” (HIMYM,) Harris has played a variety of roles on
the small screen, big screen, and in the theater. From womanizing Barney
Stinson in HIMYM to an East German transgender rock artist in the stage
production Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Harris is not afraid to push limits and
take risks.
I began the book by actually following instructions and
turning to the prescribed pages in order to follow my chosen thread through
Harris’ life. As I was laughing my way
through the pages, I was afraid I would miss things, so ended up jumping around
and going back to choose various scenarios that ended in all sorts of
ways. On one hand the characters may end
up on a Disney theme park ride, or on the other hand they may end up dying in
the desert in a pool of quicksand. Then
there is the page that no other section actually leads to—did I find it by
cheating or by accident? I’ll never
tell.
A selection of color pictures in the middle of the book
definitely adds to the charm. The
Burtka-Harris twins Harper and Gideon are blond and smiling and a treat to
see. Various
celebrities/writers/directors have written bits and pieces to give another view
of Harris. Throw in Harris’ propensity
for magic tricks and there is something for everyone. Covering a wide range of experiences, I found
the writing to be honest and raw, but ultimately touching.
When this book was released, people were tweeting pictures
of themselves apparently levitating while reading it. After reading the book, I still have no idea why. (Maybe I missed that page.) If this has piqued your interest and you are
up for a witty autobiography of a popular actor, check out Neil Patrick Harris:
Choose Your Own Biography today.
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