REVIEW - Sonny Boy (audiobook)

 Sonny Boy by Al Pacino (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This memoir is Al Pacino's love letter to his friends, family, colleagues, and acting. He has lived a long, productive, and artistic life. I had no idea he had won so many major awards - all he needs is a Grammy to win an EGOT. This audiobook may be the reason that he earns that distinction. 

Al narrates it himself with so much panache. It is as if he is sitting in front of you telling his life stories which are incredibly interesting and funny. He is a natural storyteller. 

There are some people in his book specifically older or Broadway actors whose names that I wasn't familiar with. But it didn't matter at all. It was still entertaining with his anecdotes and storytelling. 

NOTE: If you are looking for a gossipy or tell-all memoir, this isn't that type of book.  

PERSONAL NOTE: The Godfather is one of my favorite movies, so I'm biased toward Al aka "Michael". 

OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars

Writing: 5.0 stars

Al mentions early in the book that English was the only subject he liked in school (he didn't finish high school). So, his strong writing is due to his voracious personal reading and varied material as an actor especially as he is self-read. 

Narration: 5.0 stars

As a professional actor, Al does a great job. But, what takes it to a higher level is that he is self-deprecating, humble, and a fantastic storyteller. I loved his scratchy and distinctive voice which set his words off to perfection. 

Character Arc: 5.0 stars

The audiobook is told chronologically from his early life through early 2024. Of course, he deviates in parts to add context, but it was done really well.     

Memorable:  5.0 stars

Al has lived a tough life with very young parents and a father who left when Al was two. He came from an Italian-Sicilian family and grew up with his mother and grandparents who struggled to make ends meet in the South Bronx. Unfortunately, Al didn't learn money management and other pertinent life skill sets from his family so he was burned by unscrupulous people multiple times. 

But, Al doesn't live a pity party. He could have been like his friends from the neighborhood who died of heroin overdoses. Al credits his mother, especially, for helping him survive and thrive - the last bit of the book is a beautiful tribute to her.  

Entertaining:   5.0  stars

Oh, my goodness, Al can really tell a good story! 

His stories remind me of my dad and his friends reminiscing about growing up south of the I-10 freeway near Downtown Los Angeles. The neighborhoods, people, and socio-economic levels sound so very similar! 

Book cover: 5.0 stars

Perfect.      

Book title: 5.0 stars 

So very appropriate! 

HIGHLY recommend

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

Sonny Boy by Al Pacino 

Penguin Audio

12 hours, 28 minutes

Release date of 10/15/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Al Pacino

My Goodreads review

Penguin Audio

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜