Walking with Ghosts

A Memoir

By: Gabriel Byrne

Narrated by: Gabriel Byrne

Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

When award-winning actor, producer, and international icon Gabriel Byrne was a young boy, his grandmother brought him to the cinema for the first time. There, Byrne fell in love with the transporting power of the big screen. Growing up in 1950s and 60s Dublin within a family of eight, Byrne's formative childhood years were both carefree and challenging, spent between home, the church, school, and the streets of his ever-changing city where he observed that some of the greatest actors and entertainers could be found in the lives of those around him.

In captivating, funny, and sensual prose that brings to life the myriad voices of his youth, Byrne recounts his first formative 12 years - morning routines with his father, a barrel-maker at the Guinness factory; his debut role in a nativity play; his relationship with his dynamic mother; and his years at a seminary where he studied to be a priest. Interspersed throughout this engrossing childhood story we see Byrne's ascent to global stardom, from his days acting in amateur drama groups in London, to his first big role opposite Richard Burton, his arrival at the Cannes stage for his breakout hit movie, The Usual Suspects, to the HBO show In Treatment for which he won a Golden Globe.

Combining the cinematic power of Fellini's Amarcord with the poignance of John McGahern's writing, Walking with Ghosts is both a moving exploration of the pathos in what it means to be famous and a singular account of Irish boyhood.

©2020 Gabriel Byrne (P)2020 Recorded Books

Incredible story, fabulously told.

I purchased a hard copy of this book as part of the Harvard Book Store webinar interview (conversation) between Colum McCann and Gabriel Byrne. Given their conversation, I immediately purchased the audible edition and completed it before my hard copy arrived. It's an incredibly honest, soul-bearing memoir and Byrne's narration is, as McCann described, "lyrical" to the point of the telling method being as salient as the story told. Not sure I quite buy that but listening to it is a powerful, moving, memorable experience. I'll listen to it soon again - and likely more than once. Have also gifted it to friends with whom it will resonate significantly, be they Irish, in recovery, or both.

Unlike any autobiography I've encountered

More epic poem than memoir. So, don't be quick to judge, be prepared to hear between the lines, and hope for a sequel as time continues to remind us all of our mortality.

Great entertainment read by the fabulous author

I listened to this recording by the author for the second time in a few years. It is a joyride through his life stories with honesty, wit and insight. His reading is a live performance that I will enjoy again and again.

Stunning storytelling!

This is more like poetry than a memoir. The storytelling, the imagery, the humor! Highly recommend!

Very good

His insight and perspective is wonderful. His innate search for truth is as extraordinary as it is uncommon.

Deeply moving

The memories of childhood and adolescence caused me to remember experiences I hadn’t thought of in decades.

Memoir as poetry not prose

This is a lyrical memoir, read in hypnotic voice by the author. It flows in a non-linear fashion between childhood and professional reminiscences linked by emotion or theme. As if poetry, this memoir is more about the emotions of events than events themselves. While there is humor in many stories, most of the book touches on very dark and deep themes. This is no Hollywood memoir.

Mr. Byrne is a very good mimic, and in this book he often gives distinct voices to the very interesting characters that he describes. In his narration, he mostly reads as if reading a long lyrical poem. He does not employ the power or the extreme charisma that he does on stage or screen, but instead speaks softly, relishing his descriptions. This is not a memoir read in conversational voice. It is, however, very frank and very honest.

Lyrical and intimate

Gabriel Byrne reads his story in his own inimitable voice. He transports you to his childhood in Dublin and through his life. It’s short stories about his life. His honesty is admirable. Highly recommend!

Remarkable insight into the human soul

Oh boy....what a memoir! Every minute of it! Gabriel explores his identity through his memories, in the most poetic, emotional, unapologetic way. He asks for forgiveness from the ghosts through a series of snapshots from his childhood and beyond. And his voice....loved it so very much, can you tell?

A beautiful haunting memoir...

What a treat to be read to by Gabriel Byrne as he tells with such beauty the tales of his life - early days, drunken days, working days and the love he has known. Didn’t want it to end.