User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
My suggestion is to listen to the audiobook so that you can get wrapped up in that warm, friendly, country-boy voice of his as if he is talking directly to you. My suggestion is also to listen in a quiet environment because Matthew is not an overbearing narrator.
What you'll get are some the wonderful interjections of laughter and a few "wooo"s to let you know that Matthew is a genuine human being, very humble of his own fame. Even better, he's very intelligent. There are many passages that can teach everyone a lesson on a number of topics.
Just a little personal, second-degree moment I can tell you from a friend who met him once. She was working for Air Canada in Vancouver, and Matthew was there waiting for a flight out. He asked her to open the bar while he waited. She sheepishly declined, saying that the bar was closed as it was being renovated. His eyes narrowed down to her, cocking an eyebrow, he said, "Do you know who I am?" She said, hoping not to offend, "Yes.. you're Matthew McConaughey--" He said, "That's right, and I'm saying I don't care if it's being renovated. Open. The. Bar." She said, "I'm sorry, but we just can't," she was nearing peeing her pants out of fear for disappointing a famous, well-loved celebrity. Finally he broke out into an evil chuckle and said, "Oh I'm just joking! I understand. It's okay, I'll find somewhere else to wait. Don't you worry about a thing." She blew a sigh of relief. They parted with some nice words for each other. He laughed as he walked away from her. He had fun teasing her. Something tells me he's like that all the time.
Rating: really liked it
I LOVED IT!!!!!!
isn’t that enough? FANTASTIC storytelling...
MEMORABLE STORIES you ‘won’t’ forget.
Mathew is not only a great actor, he’s a GREAT AUTHOR!!!
HE CAN WRITE!!!!
For readers who think this book isn’t for you—-you just might surprise yourself.
Its soooooo engaging!!!
I didn’t want miss a word!!!!
I loved, loved, loved, loved it!!!!
YOU’ll LOVE IT!!!!! I Promise!!!!!!
“Greenlights”..... 🟢 is a wonderful gift to ‘thyself’.
🟢Greenlight 🟢 Greenlight 🟢 Greenlight 🟢
Thank you, Mathew.......
......you’re a mensch of a man!
Rating: really liked it
On the one hand, I read this book in less than two days over the course of a rainy weekend.
On the other hand, I have been keeping notebooks in which I wax poetic since I was eighteen and this book has inspired me to never ever share them with anyone.
Rating: really liked it
A rambling book with great stories but flawed execution. McConaughey was a C student in college, claiming he was normally an A student but wanted to devote time to real world instead of books, and at the end of this books says he'd rather "take an experienced C over an ignorant A any day." Well, this book is a C at best and could have been an A if he would have been less self-satisfied and allowed others to guide him to objective conclusions. Instead it's all about subjective Matthew living his life only as he wants.
The good parts are very good--he is a gifted storyteller and this is one of the rare Hollywood memoirs that has a lot of great personal stories in it. Most of them occur before he becomes famous, but halfway through the book something changes. He goes from an average guy to a movie star, and that's when the book (and possibly his personal character) starts to fall apart.
If you're looking for insights into his movies you won't find any here. He just lists most of them, more interested in his life experiences. He's like a playful pup that doesn't want to be tied down and runs away to avoid being bored. It's fun to read about his decision to drive an RV around the country and his settling in Austin, Texas. I admire his belief in God, his somewhat conservative nature, and his very pro-life stance in wanting children.
There are also many negatives. The title and structure of the book are ridiculous. A waste of a misguided concept. He focuses on supposed "greenlights," yet he doesn't define them clearly and claims everything is a greenlight, whether he manipulates a situation or things just happen to him. Then the pages are filled with his scribbling, journal entries, and one-sentence sayings that often make little sense. This guy is very self-involved and while he does say some interesting nuggets you have to dig through all the crap to get to them. Almost nothing about girlfriends, sex, dealing with other performers, and drug use. And at the start he mentions in a list of life experiences being blackmailed to have sex for the first time and being molested by a man at age 18, then he never says anything about it again.
McConaughey also paints a very negative picture of his bizarre parents. He talks positively about them but then gives stories of how mean, rude, violent, immoral, and insulting they were. How he is having his mother live with him now is hard to believe--she comes across as a crazed liar who couldn't be trusted, slamming him even more as he became famous.
Which brings us to the biggest problem in the book--the author's belief that lying is totally acceptable, as is stealing, backing out of commitments, and using others for personal gain. His parents taught him all that. He calls it "outlaw" rules, where the only right and wrong involves getting caught. So he brags about doing many bad things, and only regrets the few times he is caught. This immoral justification of lying and cheating coming from a guy who claims to be living an honest life. He is delusional but appears to have convinced many others who admire his charming ways of getting what he wants.
He's quite a character, and the book is very entertaining. But as he gets near the end he skips most of the last seven years of his life, summarizing it into a couple pages. And the conclusions he draws ignore many of the truths that become obvious to an objective reader of the book--that McConaughey doesn't really have any objective truths he holds to and is just making things up as he goes. While I admire his attractive ability to pivot and go with the flow, it's hard to justify his drug use, thoughtlessness, selfishness, and defense of lying. He needed to notice many more redlights in his life and not interpret so many as greenlights.
Rating: really liked it
Really enjoyed this one. I really love Matthew McConnaughey as a human and as an actor so I was really excited to hear he wrote a book! I listened to the audiobook and his narration is absolutely fantastic, if you decide to read this book you HAVE to go with the audiobook, his voice is amazing and his narration was so fun I was smiling like an idiot most of the time reading this.
Only reason I knocked off a star is because I wasn’t a huge fan of the self-help parts of this book, I was more interested in hearing his interesting life stories and learning more about his roles and his family and I could’ve done without the strange generic bumper sticker quotes haha.
But I love this! If you are a fan of his I’d definitely recommend checking this one out! I loved hearing more behind the scenes things about his career.
Rating: really liked it
Oh lord, was this annoying. I love a good celebrity memoir, but not when riddled with self-help tidbits. If McConaughey had stuck to personal essays without all the cheesy, self-satisfactory interjections (“prescription!” and “note to self!” and “bumper sticker!”), I’d have liked it more, even though the stories themselves felt very anecdotal and lacked depth. Unless you’re a massive fan, I can’t recommend.
Rating: really liked it
This book is a good read - suitable for all times, but makes more sense for these uncertain and strange times.
***
To all those criticising this book as `self centered` and `selfish` - my answer is “you are right”.
memoir: a written record of a person's own life and experiences (Cambridge Dictionary)
As the above definition states, a memoir is about a person`s own life – so it will be about `self`. And, when someone writes or speaks about self, of course, it will be about themselves…
Greenlights is a short memoir. Matthew McConaughey has written about some valuable insights and observations from his own life. This is not a self-help book. If you want to learn a little bit of McConaughey`s life, family, experiences and approaches, then read this book. This book will also give few interesting perspectives for certain life situations.
But, do remember, this is not a self-help book by a motivational guru or a `selfless` guide by a saint.
***
Few quotes from the book:
All destruction leads to construction.
One man's appetite is another's indigestion.
It's better to jump then fall.
Less impressed. More involved.
Stop dreaming. Start dealing.
Most of the times it's not stolen, it's right where you left it.
The roof is man-made.
Blue collar prayers - `I need` / White collar prayers - `I want`.
Kiss the fire, and walk away whistling.
It's not personal - `they will pick you in a Limo, but you might have to get a cab home`.
Sometimes, which choice you make is not as important, as making a choice and committing to it.
Leave your scent.
It is not about win or lose, it is about `do you accept the challenge?`.
Turn the page. You are the author of your life.
Rating: really liked it
What a disappointment.. was soooo looking forward to this!! UGH seriously probably 2.5 ⭐ for me but it's a biography and I feel harsh lowball scoring someone's life thoughts lol so I rounded up.. I realize a lot of people loved this but truly not sure what to say about that.
Also not too sure where to start here but will make it brief. My final thoughts are that I guess you should leave your Hollywood crushes alone and not read about their lives in case you end up here, where I am... I loved Matthew McConaughey's vibe, his kind of random, crazy coolness, ugh ya, that's gone, like no. This was like being stuck at a party or on a date with someone you thought would be fun and then you wonder when they will stop talking. I loveeee his voice and was so pleased to get a skip the line audiobook copy from my library, narrated by the man himself! but sadly, I now do NOT love his voice... I listen to audiobooks while I cook dinner and putter around and the kids kept coming out of their rooms to ask who I was saying "omg please SHUT UPPPP, I'm begging you" to. I pulled my headphones out of my ears multiple times saying "I am done with you" and my personal favourite me quote "say 'wet dream' one more time McConaughey, I dare you" sadly, he dared.. Suffice to say that it took me two skip the lines at the library and a lot of self talk to get through this book.
I have seen reviews where people wanted more from him, he mentions he has experienced sexual assaults but doesn't elaborate, people wanted less of his parents and their abusive behaviours, people wanted more detail on all of his movies and interactions with other stars, this is NOT where the book fell apart for me. I have no issue with people discussing what they want about their lives, sharing what they will and wont, it's their story to tell and I was fine with this.
What I did have a problem with was, as my husband would say, he has "I like me a little bit of me" syndrome. He reallyyy likes himself and I am still so done with that I want to scream. He presents it in a way that looks super introspective and really like he challenges himself to grow and live his best life and that's good he thinks so, but I got the opposite impression, I feel like he glazes the top coat and then sands it off once in a while to reapply and make is shine again. Just blech. Sorry, ugh, and keep in mind, I am(?) a fan.
There are points when he talks about lying and says that he was raised that it doesn't matter if you tell a big lie, as long as you believe it and it helps you, who cares and that's his personal choice but my thought on that throughout the book was what my parents taught me, "once a liar, always a liar" and "don't retell a lairs tale" so why was I reading one? To me this could have been a great story that he embellished and concocted and those are fine for bar tales but this is a biography and after he said that, it just didn't come off as honest to me.
There were a few points where I cringed, I didn't love him and his brother screwing around feigning blindness with a hotel manager as the butt of the joke. I didn't love his get out of jail bongo tale, too many people don't get that privilege.. I dont know, maybe those would have been funny stories if I liked the rest.. probably not, just not for me I guess..
It's too bad because I LOVED his philosophy of looking for the greenlights. If you are faced with a red, it will go green, and even if you feel you are in a red zone of negativity, there is likely something there that you can grasp on to that will show you the green. The "keep it positive" look for the good philosophy. But somewhere in the middle that got lost for me.. It may be around the time that I wished he would stop shouting, literally shouting, his catchphrases in my ear "greenlight" "prescription" "poem" stop shouting... please... Oh boy, I was supposed to make this brief lol and am ranting..
I also loved, although not in my style of expression (but to each their own) his love for his family and children and wife. Beautiful. But still not enough to make me greenlight this book Matthew.. sorry 🚦 I hugged my husband when I was done and thanked him for proving that I don't have completely awful taste!😅
Rating: really liked it
Ahhhhhh...I am totally listening to Matthew McConaughey! ❤️ Holy crap! So there is something to be said for a memoir where the author reads you their story. You all know the voice...but do you know the story?
So I think there are two types of memoirs. One where the author paints the picture they want you to see, their public persona. Then there is the type where they actually let you get a glimpse of their life. Their outlook, thoughts and of course the path they have taken to get where they are at. This right here is the second type...the type I like..
Matthew couldn't be much open with us the readers. He shared alot..and I mean alot...Things that we think we knew about...umm the bongo incident...sure we all have heard about it. Yet, we don't really know what lead up to it and exactly how it all went down...do we? Well now we do. He floored me with how he traveled to RV parks with his dog. You don't get more down to earth than that. He shares why we don't see him in rom-coms anymore....Honestly...I wish he would do a rom-com, I do miss those!
A great, entertaining read! Bumper sticker! Green Light! If you are a fan, you will surely enjoy this.
Rating: really liked it
Another narcissistic actor who loves to hear himself talk! This book was very preachy and about as deep as a paper cut! What have I learned about Matthew? I've learned that I never want to be stuck in a room with him!
Rating: really liked it
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alright alright alright...5 easy breezy stars. It felt like I sat around with him over a glass of scotch and he told me stories of his life. He’s witty, funny, smooth, and worked his literary skills through my heart. I laughed out loud, I paused to write down deep truths that resonated with me, and I face palmed at some of his antics. Do yourself a favor and listen to the Audible, he narrates! Oh yes!!!
His life has been interesting, to say the least. I love his passion to constantly be seeking more but also be content in the present. Due to the easy candor of his voice, one could miss the nuggets of wisdom he drops. The 5th and final star for me always boils down to one thing, did I want the book to end? No, no I did not.
“Reach beyond your grasp. Have immortal finish lines and turn your red light green because a roof is a man made thing.” -MM
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Rating: really liked it
Green lights:
- Matthew McConaughey is a self-proclaimed optimist. It’s refreshing to see the perspective of someone whose glass is so full.
- The way he reads the audiobook is pretty darn funny, making me spontaneously laugh many times.
- There are some pieces of good advice, like standing firm with your decisions to forego the easy paths while you wait for the right one.
Yellow lights:
- M.M. is a weird dude, but if you opt to listen to or read his book you probably already know that.
- There are lots of stories about his bodily fluids and touching himself. Not one, not two, but three anecdotes about (earmuffs kids) wet dreams.
Red light:
- I was seriously creeped out by his description of the night he met his wife. They were at a bar, and when it closed he invited her back to his place for a drink. She declined, but when it turned out her car had been towed he asked her again to come over for one drink, after which his limo driver would take her home. She then accepted, but when she was ready to leave oh darn his limo was mysteriously no longer available. And gosh darn it, that late at night no cab companies were still open. So she was then basically trapped there and had to stay the night. Call me a snowflake, but NOT COOL MATTHEW, NOT COOL! But she obviously disagreed since she married him.
Rating: really liked it
Unexpectedly tiresome, self centered, self righteous, disturbing on so many levels, condones corporal punishment, physical abuse...a letter to Narcissism.
Rating: really liked it
Alright, alright, alright.
As Matthew himself declares, there are liars and then there are bullshitters; the liar tries to hide his misrepresentations while the bullshitter will readily and openly admit he is not telling the truth. I have the strong impression that Matthew is a champion level bullshitter as I’m not sure how many of these stories and anecdotes I fully believe, but I liked the way he told the tall tales and this book is entertaining.
I like to find out about an author to better understand their perspective. Turns out I am about a month older than McConaughey, we were both raised in the south (him in Texas, me in Tennessee) and we both liked watching the Incredible Hulk in the 70s starring Lou Ferrigno. Our high school experiences were similar, hell, my best friend in HS could have been Matthew.
This is just MM telling us about his childhood, growing up, acting, life lessons, what makes him tick. The idea about “greenlights” is moments in his life that have helped him to move forward, as opposed to yellow or red lights that provide caution or slow you down. There also “NOTES TO SELF!” and Bumper stickers. All told with wit, humor and Wooderson charm.
One negative reviewer I read complained that this was “self centered” … well yeah, it’s a memoir. If you like McConaughey, you will likely find this to be an enjoyable book; he comes across as a vibrant, charismatic man who loves life.
BTW – the “alright, alright, alright” scene from Dazed and Confused has a very funny backstory.
Lyn’s Top five Matthew McConaughey films:
1. Sing
2. Reign of Fire
3. Dazed and Confused
4. Lincoln Lawyer
5. Failure to Launch
Fun book about an interesting person.
Rating: really liked it
Celebrity memoirs can be gratuitous or self-aggrandizing, which I can put up with, but
I draw the line at not one but THREE references to having a wet dream. Yes, you read that correctly. I just can't even fathom why he felt that was essential to include. And for the record I started reading this before he was all over the news recently about not wanting to vaccinate his kids. So that didn't help my impression of him either while I was reading this. Some parts of this book was interesting/funny, especially since I listened to the audiobook which he narrates. But overall I can't really recommend this book because even putting aside the wet dreams, it became readily apparent this is just a weird guy who isn't nearly as interesting as he thinks he is. Talented, sure, but very very weird. Not to mention how he describes how he met his wife (purposely stranding her at his place) and the dynamic with his parents (physical altercations) - seriously, just red flags all over the place.
