One of the most interesting books I’ve read so far this summer is Jospeh B. Atkins’ Harry Dean Stanton: Hollywood’s Zen Rebel. Through its fantastic use of first-person perspective to its engrossing depiction of Stanton’s life, Atkins creates a wonderful book that honours the Hollywood acting legend as much as it entertains its reader.
The main things I like about this book are the use of first-person perspective and its use of Stanton’s favourite song, “Canción Mixteca.”
The book begins with Stanton’s funeral; this is a very interesting place to start because it has the effect of making the reader feel the joy the narrator clearly has towards Stanton’s work, which makes the writing captivating and emotionally impactful.
I especially love the way the writer uses “Canción Mixteca” in the beginning of the book. This song is referenced numerous times throughout Hollywood’s Zen Rebel and each time does a wonderful job at keeping the reader engaged.
I also like how this book uses interesting facts about Stanton and explores his high-class Hollywood life. For example, it’s not widely known that Stanton was a military cook and was on one of the boats during the Battle of Okinawa, or that he was close friends with Saturday Night Live cast member Chris Farley and was one of the people who checked up on him mere days before his fatal drug overdose. These facts are fascinating and play an important role in the book’s plot as well as enhancing the reader’s experience.
My only complaint about the book is its length; at points, it drags on too long. Some facts, while neatly organized, feel unnecessary and some explanations are way too lengthy. This book could have been a hundred pages shorter and still have delivered the reader an engaging experience without sacrificing any respect for Stanton.
So, yes, while it’s a little long, Harry Dean Stanton: Hollywood’s Zen Rebel is still a very entertaining look into the long life and career of the Hollywood legend.