Listen free for 30 days

  • A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future

  • Twists and Turns and Lessons Learned
  • Written by: Michael J. Fox
  • Narrated by: Michael J. Fox
  • Length: 1 hr and 29 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (16 ratings)

1 credit a month, good for any title to download and keep.
The Plus Catalogue—listen all you want to thousands of Audible Originals, podcasts, and audiobooks.
$14.95 a month plus applicable taxes after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future cover art

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future

Written by: Michael J. Fox
Narrated by: Michael J. Fox
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $21.43

Buy Now for $21.43

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

Michael J. Fox abandoned high school to pursue an acting career, but went on to receive honorary degrees from several universities and garner the highest accolades for his acting, as well as for his writing. In his new book, he inspires and motivates graduates to recognize opportunities, maximize their abilities, and roll with the punches - all with his trademark optimism, warmth, and humor.

In A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future, Michael draws on his own life experiences to make a case that real learning happens when “life goes skidding sideways”. He writes of coming to Los Angeles from Canada at age 18 and attempting to make his way as an actor.

Fox offers up a comically skewed take on how, in his own way, he fulfilled the requirements of a college syllabus. He learned economics as a starving artist; an unexpected turn as a neophyte activist schooled him in political science; and his approach to comparative literature involved stacking books up against their movie versions.

Replete with personal stories and hilarious anecdotes, Michael J. Fox’s new book is the perfect gift for graduates and fans.

©2010 Michael J. Fox (P)2010 Hyperion

What listeners say about A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    14
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    11
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    10
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A quick read filled with good advice

This book is a written version of a graduation speech. If you have read Michael J. Fox's other two books, Lucky Man and Always Looking Up, you will not get any new information here, but I found it to be a really nice summary of the lessons shared in those other books.

Michael J. Fox's Parkinson's makes it harder for him to read slowly and clearly, but I didn't find his reading to be distracting, and I would much rather hear him read his own book himself.

If you're looking for a quick read full of good, graduation-type advice, this book will fill the bill.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Talia
  • Talia
  • 2010-10-25

Good stuff!

Michael again entertains and delights with his playful reading. Enjoyed hearing (between the lines) the maturity, perspective and focus he's developed over the last few years. I actually think I could listen to this again and that doesn't happen often.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Phil
  • Phil
  • 2013-01-24

Thoroughly Enjoyable!!

I loved this and have listened too it a couple of times! Fox's narration is swift, funny and too the point. Very easy to listen too.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Radiology studies
  • Radiology studies
  • 2012-07-23

Let's hear it from M J Fox himself

Would you listen to A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future again? Why?

I have listened to it several times because it is an interesting life-story

What did you like best about this story?

Michael is very open about things and knows how to tell a good story.

What does Michael J. Fox bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

no one can tell the story better than himself

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had lots of laughs when listening, but also learnt to know that he had a tough start in his career.

Any additional comments?

M J talks a little fast but that's not a problem for me, if that's a problem for you just rewind and listen again, it's worth it.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Donna
  • Donna
  • 2021-02-04

Back to the Future

I enjoyed listening to Michael retell his story with all it's up and downs of " life". As always he provides the "audience" by utilizing his insightfulness, humor, and innate ability to deliver the lines at the precise moment for effectiveness.His willingness to share his story ,drives home the purpose of this book-the notion of acceptance promotes self worth.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Amazon Customer
  • Amazon Customer
  • 2021-01-22

All Books are absolutely worth the read

I remember coming across MJF books in my early Audible days... I liked his movies and had recently read another actor”s biography and thought... how bad can this one be...
I highly recommend reading his books, because he has a way of bringing his experiences across to his readers as very relatable if that is the word for it.
He does not see himself as someone above the rest of the world, but rather understands and brings across that understanding of what and who he is, and furthermore the price he paid and more over his loved ones paid for him to be who he is. Despite that, through it all, his constant climb back to finding his optimism, despite very dark times never subsides. And that in itself is a message to remember. It is a little bit like getting to know the elusive boy next door who carries a bright smile and a heavy burden, and gets up every day curious of what comes next.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Nethanial
  • Nethanial
  • 2017-09-27

Very inspiring and good food for thought.

A very inspiring memoir written by a man who has a learned the important things in life and wishes to pass that knowledge on

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Turtle
  • Turtle
  • 2021-04-03

Brief but powerful

I have always admired Michael J. Fox. I marvel at his strength and optimism. I only wish this book was longer.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Jess Baidwan
  • Jess Baidwan
  • 2021-03-04

insights abound from MJF

MJF takes us on ajourney to look at life and ourselves, a look in the proverbial mirror and how to be real about today.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for BAR
  • BAR
  • 2021-01-16

uplifting

A very quick and easy listen. I would recommend to anyone who needs a lift to their perspective, a graduate who is about to head out into the world or someone who is trying to find their path. it is a reminder that life isn't easy or simple but it can be filled with accomplishment and satisfaction.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for T
  • T
  • 2020-05-21

read

This is a book every graduating senior should read. It is a quick read and the audio by Fox is wonderful.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful