An Improvised Life

A Memoir

By: Alan Arkin

Narrated by: Alan Arkin

In this insightful memoir, Oscar-winning actor Alan Arkin reflects back on finding his place as an actor and what theater—specifically the improvisational sort—has taught him about the craft and life.

Alan Arkin knew he was going to be an actor from the age of five. From this early age, he recognized that “every film I saw, every play, every piece of music fed an unquenchable need to turn myself into something other than what I was.”

An Improvised Life is Arkin’s wise and unpretentious recollection of the process, artistic and personal, of becoming an actor and a revealing look into the creative mind of one of the best practitioners on the stage and screen. Arkin, in a manner that is direct, down-to-earth, accessible, and articulate, reveals not just insights about himself but truths for the rest of us about our sense of self, our work, and our relationships with others.

©2011 Alan Arkin (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“[A] wealth of wisdom.” ( New York Post)

Serpintine! Listen to this book .

i truly enjoyed this audiobook because I am huge Alan Arkin fan and it was just nice to hear about his background and begining to his tips on improvising. great book and I can't recommend it enough .

Interesting

Never really considered myself an Alan Arkin fan, but he does have some appeal as an actor. The book is more than just an autobiography, and while it’s not a guide to acting, it does provide some insight in how to become better, at acting and life.

the other is better

it is very good, enjoyable, I listened it through in a few days. the stories he tells are very straightforward, easy to follow. I'm 36, a younger me would find it boring, probably.

I gained insight & Understanding into Alan Arkin! I loved this!

I gained insight & Understanding into Alan Arkin! I loved this!
I really appreciated learning, and discovering what drove Alan throughout his life’s journey. I enjoyed the whole book. The trainings that he had his wife gave were amazing! I wish I had been able to attend one. They were so meaningful for everyone attended them.
I’m sure the struggles of a career in acting, well remain and trying to support his children.

Puts it like it is.

An excellent prospective, I think I would feel the same way about many of his views.