I loved this book and devoured it in one sitting. Byrne writes in an easy, conversational way with stark honesty about his childhood, schooling and his start in the world of acting. Some may be put off by the frequent time jumps as Byrne moves through different parts of his life, but I personally did not feel that this detracted from his story. Overall, a brave, honest and engaging read that does not shy away from the more difficult experiences of Byrne's life.

I enjoyed this book because it was so inclusive of how Mr. Byrne's childhood influenced and effected him. It gave me insight into life in Ireland , both personally and politically. I never felt Mr. Byrne was bragging but more explaining and sharing his life and his thoughts.

This was an eloquently told story of Gabriel Byrne . Well written and inspiring , I couldn't put it down .

A very engaging and well-written memoir. The actor’s strong educational background is very evident as he recalls his strict Catholic upbringing and all the factors in his life that brought him such success as a respected actor.

From all biographies I read so far, I think this is the one that resonated with me on almost all levels. It touched me in a way I did not expect.

First of all, the writing: it reminded me of Robert R. McCammon' Boy's Life. The same beautiful, warm, onest and sometimes heartbreaking writing, told by a mature man through the eyes of his younger self. You cannot but be immersed completely into the story of this Irish child. His tales, mischiefs, small joys and tragedies makes the reader live his life too. Some are told through the eyes of his mother, father, different neighbours or random acquaintances, intertwined with bits and pieces from behind the scene, some hilarious, some sad, some life changing.

I don't want to spoil the pleasure of reading it by giving more details. It's one of those small books which make you savour every word, even if some are heartbreaking.

Gabriel Byrne has another great talent beside acting; he's a born storyteller. Wholeheartedly recommended.

WALKING WITH GHOSTS, by Gabriel Byrne, was uniquely different from your typical ghost story. The first few pages grabbed me as he talked about his dreams. I pictured those green fields, and watched the river as it gently flowed by, and actually heard the rippling of the water, and felt the warmth of the golden sun. It was as if I was there for a moment on that beautiful lazy carefree day.
Then suddenly as I delved deeper the scene had changed. the picture was no longer the same. Gone were those beautiful lazy days of long ago. Something else had taken its place. I felt the sadness there.

Reading further into the book people from the past came more quickly into view. Neighbors, families, and friends. Especially this one house he talked about stayed in my mind as he walked through the woods and looked through lace curtains and saw furniture covered with sheets, like ghosts, buckets catching the rain from a leaky roof. A picturesque scene of water falling drop by drop making small splashes, and an old piano rotting away in the corner. I actually saw his childhood dream come to life there. Heard the laughter, music, and people talking. That, to me, was a forgotten memory filled with strong details, because that scene seemed so melancholy. So forgotten. Then just as suddenly brought to mind as he gazed inside; as if the scene was awaken from a deep sleep and took him back to another time. There were other sad scenes; especially the one concerning his brother. That one, I thought: could have ended tragically.

There were also some happy scenes; like thoughts of home, when his grandmother took him to watch picture shows. His father teaching him to ride a bicycle. I am glad the author took this reader down a path of enjoyable memories belonging to a former time. An unforgettable read!

I had some hesitation about reading this book because not all memoirs by actors are my cup of tea, but my concern was completely unfounded. By any measurement, this is a marvelous book. It's not a year-by-year type of autobiography but more a story told in vignettes. The language so perfect for each experience being described. During good times in childhood, the reader can feel the security and love. In insecure times, especially in adolescence, Byrne writes with a more edgy, fearful vocabulary. I especially liked his way of writing dialogue without he said, she said; just lines of speech alternating between speakers with perfect transcription of Irish expressions. So much personality among "characters", so much humor, even the terseness of speakers not comfortable with their emotions. I can't imagine any improvement possible. It helps to have at least a smattering of Irish, but no worries if you don't. Just a terrific book that I'll no doubt read again.

Eloquently written and skillfully crafted, Mr. Byrne tells his tumultuous story. This is a memoir that focuses on the minutiae instead of the "big" events that propel us forward. If you are a fan of Mr. Byrne, I recommend you read this memoir; if not, I recommend you read it anyway.

This was a very thoughtful, almost poetic book that surprised me! I like Gabriel Byrne but am not a superfan, yet having read this, I come away with a much better picture of the author and actor and would certainly recommend this this anyone looking for an engaging read!

Gabriel Byrne makes it obvious that Ireland is the land of storytellers. His writing is beautifully poetic, even when sharing darker stories about alcoholism, sexual abuse, and poverty. I didn't always enjoy the "stream of conciousness" flow of the story - a lot of jumping back and forth - but overall, "Walking with Ghosts" is an interesting dive into Byrne's life outside of Hollywood.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC.

Found it enjoyable as I like Gabriel Byrnes. But I don't think that people who don't know the actor would enjoy it. The author skips around in time and some parts are interesting; other parts not so much.

This reads more like random thoughts, insights and memories than a true autobiography... and I love it. So often these 'celebrity books' have shallow insights about their careers and a brief touch of their lives, never much about the bad unless it ultimately shaped them into the fine, fine actor they'd become. This book is like having a long, winding and twisting interview with the man. Seeing what he touches on next, good and bad, warts and all. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Grove Press
Pub. Date” Jan. 12, 2021

Let me begin this review by saying that I wanted to read this book because Gabriel Byrne has always been one of my Hollywood crushes. I went in thinking I was about to read the usual gossipy, self-centered Hollywood memoir. What I ended up reading was Irish poetry, written as an autobiography. Byrne lyrically describes growing up in the 1950s and 60s in working-class Dublin within a devout Catholic family where he is the eldest of six siblings. From the beginning of the book, it is clear that Bryne had no intention to write about his fame. There is no hint of self-indulgence or vanity. When he does talk about his accomplishments as a successful actor, film director, and film producer, they are mentioned as an afterthought. Unlike many famous actors, there is no “look at and love me” feel. When he is frank about his alcoholism, and now being sober for over twenty years, again he is not going for a dramatic downfall Hollywood vibe. Instead, in moving poetic prose, he compares how his emotions were similar when opening a theater and bar door. In this very original memoir that is often as sad as it is humorous, Byrne shows us his soul. Turns out, the handsome actor is also a talented writer. He possesses a unique descriptive power in telling us about the many years of his career. If you are looking for an “Inside Out,” Demi Moore type of memoir this one is not for you. If you are looking for a surprisingly well-written autobiography, this is your book. Before reading Byrne’s life story, his face is what impressed me. After reading his poignant memoir, I now admire him the person, and of course his writing ability. However, I still think he is easy on the eyes.

“Walking With Ghosts” an autobiography by Gabriel Byrne, is an unique telling of one’s own life journey. The author is an Irish actor of some renown and his story is told in “story balloons” as contrasted to most autobiographies that take a linear road from birth to late-in-life. About 1/3 of the way through reading the book my mind suddenly shouted “poetry.” And these anecdotes that make up the book are more poetry than narrative. That is true specifically in the telling of Mr. Byrne’s childhood events that take up a large part of the narrative. You will learn about growing up in poverty, a sensitive telling of sexual abuse, his dramatic insecurities in his talent and his looks, and his own war with alcoholism.
Thanks to NetGalley for this fascinating story: and it has left me hoping Mr. Byrne writes a follow up book (soon!) with any number of additional stories from an interesting life, mostly well-lived.

Gabriel Byrne travels with ghosts from his past; we all do. He carries the weight of choices made along the way. His description is rich in detail: I saw the places and I knew the people he described. He has a melancholic soul with a humorous perspective on life. Feeling an outsider in life, he never admits this to anyone, only himself and the reader. At times I felt I was hearing a confession, revealing moments of deep regret. He is discreet. This is not a tell-all; rather, an explanation of who he is and how he became this person. He has a poetic style, an evocative tone and, for this reader, an honest, sincere approach.

I wasn’t very familiar with the author’s acting career however this didn’t spoil the enjoyment of this memoir. The story of his life is told in fragments and as reminiscences. There was so much honesty shared which reinforces the notion that no one’s life is perfect and we all suffer and find joy whether we are famous or not.

Byrne has an ability to make simple words flow off the page like magic. Each sentence is like poetry. The depths of his self-reflection and honesty touches the soul.

As the editor and critic-in-chief of Cuurtainup.com, a magazine mainly focused on theater I've admired and written about Gabriel Byrne's performances. His memir is beautifully written; in fact, quite poetic.. No doubt, this trip down his particular memory lane was cathartic for Mr. Byrne. That said, I couldn't help wishing there had been more about his experiences in the stage and film work. What he does include is great. But it only made me wish that there had been more of that.

I received an uncorrected proof e-copy of this from the publisher Grove Atlantic through NetGalley.

The older I get, some of my "rules" become more rigid, and then there are those that melt fluid and have incongruous exceptions. I am not particularly enamored of stream of consciousness writing (truly, I dislike it). This memoir is both stream and nonlinear, either of which can be sometimes off-putting. And yet....Mr. Byrne writes in a poetic prose, or prosaic poetry that he drew me in and the styles that would normally bother me...didn't. Example:

I am thinking of the seasons of my own life, learning now in my winter days I must shed what I have held most dear.
Yet there is contentment, even joy, in a landscape of bare trees, when the light makes everything more stark and bittersweet.
Here I stand now, a man longing to see as a child again, when every smell and sound and sight was a marvel. Yet I will never know again the childhood thrill of finding a hawk feather snagged on a briar, or the taste of wild blackberries after rain.
This place birthed my love of simple things.

Byrne has eleven years on me, but I understand. Nonlinear, as I noted, Byrne meanders through recollections - some quite detailed for so long ago, perhaps a skill of an actor?, perhaps a skill of just him - some nostalgic, some sweet, and some... oh, some not. Byrne's ghosts are many. Some are fond memories and some are quite horrible. Candid in his revelations, there are disturbing passages. This may have been a catharsis, maybe a confession...he did grow up Irish Catholic with all the baggage that saddles that combination, though he gave that up along with any belief in a god long ago.

I read this for the most part as I think he intended it to be read - go with the flow - but I did interrupt my reading to mark and note mark a few lines here and there. On moving to a new, well, new old house, and he in resisting tow of his mother

She pulled back the bolt of the gate and I saw the new house for the first time. It had no smile for me.

Change is hard.

Recalling how his grandmother took him to the "pictures", and how "the wonder and magic leaked away when we came out into the ordinary street again." And visiting his home many years later

The picture house is a carpet showroom now.
I stood yesterday where the screen would have been.
- If I can be of assistance sir? Was there anything in particular you were looking for? the salesman asked.
- There used to be an usher dressed in red braided uniform to click your ticket. Right where you're standing. And the stairways had photographs of the stars.
Glamorous and godlike. Beyond imagining.

He says how he loved the world of imagination his grandmother opened for him. Later, remembering school days, with castoff clothes and the accompanying shame, exacerbated by having a lunch of his mother's homemade brown bread instead of "sliced white pan from the shop like the other boys had."

When we went on school hikes into the mountains, I pretended I didn't like bread, and threw away the rough brown slices so the other boys wouldn't see.

That brought back a memory of mine that I'm not fond of - I had to bring home and reuse over and over until they fell apart the brown paper lunch bags and plastic sandwich bags; we didn't have much money. Today, recycling and reusing is a badge of honor, but in the late 1960s and early 1970s, with cruel teasing of children...?

Filming the mini-series Wagner with Richard Burton, getting drunk after hours, Burton waxing maudlin

- Fame, Burton said, doesn't change who you are, it changes others. It is a sweet poison you drink of first in eager gulps. Then you come to loathe it.
I'm rather ashamed to be an actor sometimes. I've done the most appalling sh*t for money.
[...]
- Give it all you've got but never forget it's just a bloody movie, that's all it is. We're not curing cancer. Remember.

Byrne says "I've made over eighty films since then and I've never forgotten those words."

Byrne's relationship with his father gets a few peeps through the fence hole. "It's funny how I half-listened to you, or didn't listen at all, for so many years. It's only now that I hear you." And as with many of his ghosts, Byrne has a one-sided conversation, his memories filling in the response. On his father's most valuable possession, a vintage watch:

It had been on your wrist as long as I could remember, beneath the crooked tattoo of a crucifix.
- You have to wind this fellas with care between your finger and thumb, always in a forward direction.
As you got older, you would bring it closer to your eyes, quint as I made to go, anxious to be away.
Late, when I'd visit you, you'd say:
- You can stay a few minutes yet. I'll put the kettle on.
Now I understand that was your way of telling me you loved me. Hanging onto those last moments between us.

Ghosts. Byrne walks with his, and he raised the specter of a few of my own ghosts, long banished but never forgotten.

Not to end on a down, I got a laugh out of one line I'm sure was not meant to be funny - Byrne's father was a cooper for Guinness Brewery and in 1959, when Byrne was 9, he said "The brewery smelled of things called yeast and hops which went into making black beer called porter." Guinness may be famous for their stout, but "called a porter" is about the best anyone who knows beer could say about that product! Okay, okay, withdrawn! But I can't stand their sourish, thin trapped-in-a-UK-tradition non-stout.

Two strings were attached to me being granted this copy. Because as I am not a professional book reviewer, but "simply an avid reader", one was "... that if you have a chance to read the book you take the time to write a review." I review every book I read now, even more especially the advance/preview copies I receive. A writer took the time to write; I took the time to read; I owe it to the writer, and also the publisher, to offer my observations. (The other string was signing up for notices of new offerings from the publisher...I can do that.)

I enjoy the this book. Gabriel Byrne is an accomplished actor and this gave insight to him as an individual. Couldn’t’ help but hear his voice in my head as I read. Thank you for the opportunity