Lyrical and beautifully descriptive, Byrne’s writing appeals to the senses and takes the reader on a journey with stories from his coming of age years in Ireland to his life as an actor.
I enjoyed the stories from Ireland, both his own as well as fables passed down from his mother and grandmother, like the Banshee, the ‘death coach’ and fairies. He writes about his family, his mother, father and sister, as well as his own battle with alcoholism. There is nothing of his marriages and children, but that doesn’t mean this novel is lacking; he just didn’t focus on that part of his life. Walking with Ghosts is a memoir worth reading.

Such a wonderfully written book! Delighted to feature this lyrical memoir in my current Lives Lived memoir/biography-themed roundup, for Zoomer magazine’s Books section. See link for full feature article and text.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Canada for the chance to read an advanced copy of Walking with ghosts by Gabriel Byrne. This memoir is Gabriel's own accounts of growing up in Ireland; how as a child he wanted to become a priest but was expelled from seminary and returning to Ireland. He weaved reflections of his stardom throughout his recounts of his early start in the theatre and talks honestly of his battle with his addiction to alcohol, and dealing with fame. This was a honest, somewhat rambling and at times painful read. Thank you.

I think Gabriel Byrne is a terrific actor, but when I started reading Walking with Ghosts, I was most interested in reading about his early life growing up in Ireland. I was not disappointed. I particularly enjoyed his recollections of his childhood and the people and places that moulded him. His journey of looking back at the “Spring” of his life and his reflections on how things used to be, did feel like walking among the ghosts of his past.

It took me a little while to get used to moving from one time period to another. The story is not told in a linear path from childhood through to the present. The stories about the famous people that Gabriel met and worked with were interesting, but I was most touched by his family stories and the struggles he endured. Gabriel Byrne is very open about his struggles and the painful moments of his life. He also describes how his love of acting was sparked and his road to success.

Thanks to HarperCollins Canada for an ARC of Walking with Ghosts via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review