An Improvised Life

An Improvised Life

By Alan Arkin
Unabridged
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“[A] wealth of wisdom.”

New York Post

In this insightful memoir, Oscar-winning actor Alan Arkin reflects back on finding his place as an actor and on what theater—specifically the improvisational sort—has taught him about the craft and life.

Alan Arkin knew he was going to be an actor from the age of five. From this early age, he recognized that “every film I saw, every play, every piece of music fed an unquenchable need to turn myself into something other than what I was.”

An Improvised Life is Arkin’s wise and unpretentious recollection of the process, artistic and personal, of becoming an actor and a revealing look into the creative mind of one of the best practitioners on the stage and screen. Arkin, in a manner that is direct, down-to-earth, accessible, and articulate, reveals not just insights about himself but truths for the rest of us about our sense of self, our work, and our relationships with others.

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  1. FuntimeBen
    Overall Liked it

    A little spiritual mumbo-jumbo, a whole lot of love

    I love Alan Arkin. As an improvisor who loves the craft and coaches people here in New York, I love different takes on what it is to be an improviser and what we learn from the experiences. While the memoir about Alan's life is a little thin, and the explanation about mystical properties of our lives a little vague, I can honestly say in 10 years, this book may be even more enjoyable than it was on first listen. I am not sure at 35 I can fully appreciate all the messages within. There is truth here and that always takes a little time to fully seep in. PS - favorite Alan Arkin character is from 1993's "So I Married an Axe Murderer" HE IS THE ALL TIME BEST!

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