REVIEW - An American Story (audiobook)

 An American Story by Wilmer Valderrama (audiobook)

OVERVIEW

This memoir was not what I expected at all. Most memoirs include the good, bad, and the ugly. Unfortunately, it is only the good, good, and the good. Wilmer doesn't discuss the rape convictions of Danny Masterson or the sexual assault allegations against Michael Weatherly. Additionally, he claims to not do drugs with all of his partying, I find this hard to believe. Finally, there is no discussion of the underage or much younger women that he dated including his fiancee. It just doesn't appear to be an introspective and honest memoir. 

Additionally, this memoir is a fake greeting card about how much Wilmer loves the USA. It is piled on a little too much. 

Finally, no ghostwriter is listed, but I find it hard that Wilmer was so thoughtful and deep at thirteen and for most of his life. It felt so disingenuous.

OVERALL REVIEW: 3.5 stars

Writing: 3.5 stars

Wilmer's ghostwriter writes really well. Unfortunately, the parts written by Wilmer were not as well written. It was easy to discern the parts written by each. 

Narration: 4.0 stars

As a professional actor, Wilmer does a good job. But at times, the language of the book seemed to trip him up and should have been rerecorded. 

Character Arc: 3.5 stars

The audiobook is told in no semblance of order. It jumps back and forth in time as it tries to be in chronological order. 

Memorable:  3.5 stars

His life was difficult once his parents left Miami, Florida (where Wilmer was born) to return to Venezuela and then again when they came back to Los Angeles. Wilmer's stories of leaving Miami for Venezuela and ultimately to Los Angeles as an immigrant family were the best part of the memoir. 

Once Wilmer makes it in Hollywood, I don't believe the perfect remembrances of his life. Life is not all hearts, flowers, and unicorns while paying for every check! 

Entertaining:   3.5 stars

At times, Wilmer would tell a nice family story, but most of the memories weren't amazingly entertaining to me. 

Book cover: 4.0 stars

Good picture.      

Book title: 3.0 stars 

Good.  

RECOMMEND

STATISTICS

Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) borrow (audiobook)

An American Story by Wilmer Valderrama

Harper Select

8 hours, 0 minutes

Release date of 9/17/2024

INFORMATIONAL LINKS

Wilmer Valderrama

My Goodreads review

Harper Select

Los Angeles Public Library

Happy reading, 

Dorothea 💜