I'm Your Huckleberry (Unabridged)
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3.7 • 118 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
In this New York Times bestseller, legendary actor and star of the acclaimed documentary Val shares the stories behind his most beloved roles, reminisces about his star-studded career and love life, and reveals the truth behind his recent health struggles in a remarkably candid autobiography.
Val Kilmer has played many iconic roles over his nearly four-decade film career. A table-dancing Cold War agent in Top Secret! A troublemaking science prodigy in Real Genius. A brash fighter pilot in Top Gun. A swashbuckling knight in Willow. A lovelorn bank robber in Heat. A charming master of disguise in The Saint. A wise-cracking detective in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Of course, Batman, Jim Morrison and the sharp-shooting Doc Holliday.
But who is the real Val Kilmer? With I’m Your Huckleberry—published prior to the highly anticipated sequel Top Gun: Maverick, in which Kilmer returns to the big screen as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky—the enigmatic actor at last steps out of character and reveals his true self.
In this uniquely assembled memoir—featuring vivid prose, snippets of poetry and rarely-seen photos—Kilmer reflects on his acclaimed career, including becoming the youngest actor ever admitted to the Juilliard School’s famed drama department, determinedly campaigning to win the lead part in The Doors, and realizing a years-long dream of performing a one-man show as his hero Mark Twain. He shares candid stories of working with screen legends Marlon Brando, Tom Cruise, Robert Downey Jr. and Robert De Niro, and recounts high-profile romances with Cher, Cindy Crawford, Daryl Hannah, and former wife Joanne Whalley. He chronicles his spiritual journey and lifelong belief in Christian Science, and describes travels to far-flung locales such as a scarcely inhabited island in the Indian Ocean where he suffered from delirium and was cared for by the resident tribe. And he reveals details of his recent throat cancer diagnosis and recovery—about which he has disclosed little until now.
While containing plenty of tantalizing celebrity anecdotes, I’m Your Huckleberry—taken from the famous line Kilmer delivers as Holliday in Tombstone—is ultimately a singularly written and deeply moving reflection on mortality and the mysteries of life.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Val Kilmer became a worldwide phenomenon playing brazen characters like Iceman in Top Gun and Doc Holliday in Tombstone. In this incredibly candid autobiography, Kilmer lets us get to know the sensitive man behind the cocky characters in a way we’ve never seen him before. He’s unexpectedly intimate about his own traumas and pain, like the tragic childhood death of his younger brother, Wesley. And despite being famous for playing ego-driven characters, Kilmer is also refreshingly open about his awe and admiration for fellow actors ranging from Marlon Brando to 50 Cent. There are stories that you have to hear to believe (holding a drug intervention for a neighbor while in character as The Doors’ lead singer Jim Morrison?), and top-level narrators Mare Winningham, Will Forte, and George Newbern bring out the humor and pathos in each one. (Kilmer, who was undergoing throat cancer treatment while writing the book, doesn’t do his own narration.) Whether you love ’80s/’90s cinema or you’re just fascinated by an artist describing their craft, you won’t want to pass up I’m Your Huckleberry.
Customer Reviews
Telling at 10,000 feet
If you’ve been a fan of Val Kilmer’s films this memoir gives an intriguing look at the human behind the roles. The rumors of. Al throughout his career appear to be the classical misunderstood genius yet he makes no claims to that. Worth the read. Even the second and third time.
Meh….
Couldn’t finish the last 2 hours. Wanted to hear more memoirs and less on life philosophy. Short on details of specific events. The way the book is written is choppy and sparse. Just not very interesting…..and I’m a big Kilmer fan. Disappointed!