In this funny and heartfelt collection of essays, Alan Cumming reflects on his life—from growing up in a conservative Scottish town to becoming one of the world’s most celebrated stage actors and personalities. He tells candid stories about getting divorced, coming out as gay, living with HIV for over two decades, drug addiction, bipolar disorder diagnosis, and being married (to the same man) for nineteen years. This Is Me Then is an intimate look at all the ups and downs that have made Alan who he is today: fierce advocate for equality and human rights; accomplished actor whose performances have won him Olivier Awardss (the UK equivalent of Tony Awards), a Golden Globe Award nomination latterly successful restaurateur with several New York City eateries under his belt. Through it allAlan has never stopped exploring or learning from his mistakes—and now he shares these experiences with readers in hopes that they might learn something useful themselves.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for LGBTQ+ people, their friends and families, and anyone who wants to learn more about what it means to be queer. It offers a window into the personal life of one of the world’s most famous gay icons, as well as insights into overcoming adversity.
Pros :
- This book is very candid and honest.
- It provides an intimate look at the life of Alan Cumming.
- The stories are funny and heartfelt.
Cons :
- The author talks about very personal aspects of his life that some readers may not be interested in.
- The book is quite long and could have been edited down a bit.
- Some of the essays seem to ramble on without really getting to a point.
Learn more about the author
Alan Cumming is a Scottish actor, author, producer and director. He has appeared in over 40 films including the X-Men franchise (as Nightcrawler), Spy Kids, The Anniversary Party and Chicago. On Broadway he starred in Macbeth opposite Janet McTeer, for which they both received Tony Award nominations. Off-Broadway his work includes Bent (Tony nomination) and Cabaret (Tony award). From 2014 – 2016 he co-hosted primetime game show CBS’s Celebrity Name Game.
Reader Reviews
“This book is amazing! It’s a great read for anyone, but it would especially be appreciated by the LGBTQ+ community. Alan tells his story with so much honesty and humility; it’s inspiring to see how he has overcome challenges throughout his life.”
“This book is a testament to the power of openness and honesty. Alan Cumming has led an interesting life, full of highs and lows, but by sharing it all he shows us that we can learn from our mistakes and become better people.”
“From growing up in a conservative Scottish town to becoming one of the world’s most celebrated stage actors and personalities, Alan Cumming has lived an extraordinary life—told here in his trademark frank and funny style. This Is Me Then is a must-read for anyone who wants to know more about this iconoclastic artist.”
“Alan Cumming is a national treasure and his memoirs are compulsively readable.”
