Talented actor. Charismatic celebrity. Woman magnet. Author. A free thinker and an independent soul. That’s the shorthand when it comes to the worldwide perception of Keanu Reeves. But there’s more to the real Keanu than pop culture talking points and, in Keanu Reeves’ Excellent Adventure: An Unauthorized Biography by New York Times bestselling author Marc Shapiro, the star of Speed, John Wick, Point Break and countless big and small films proves to be a lot more contrary and anti-establishment than most Hollywood cookie cutter celebrities.

Equal parts biography and character study, Keanu Reeves’ Excellent Adventure: An Unauthorized Biography is an ink blot/rat in a maze journey as the actor deals with his life and times in straightforward, often philosophical and spiritual manner. He can be shy, self -effacing, an introvert and  somebody who has been a pain in the side of the Hollywood establishment. He’s also found time to be an all around good guy as he deals with life’s ups and downs. But at the end of the day, Keanu Reeves is nothing less than human.

He’s dealt with the deaths of those he’s loved the most. He makes no bones about the fact that he comes from a dysfunctional upbringing. He’s walked away from big-budget studio films in favor of doing Hamlet for peanuts. And, early on, he didn’t think twice about starring in the overtly gay-themed way out of the mainstream theater production Wolfboy. He’s readily admits to having done drugs and has had his run ins with the law. And along the way his risen to that rarified air of international star.