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  • Baggage

  • Tales from a Fully Packed Life
  • Written by: Alan Cumming
  • Narrated by: Alan Cumming
  • Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (19 ratings)

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Baggage

Written by: Alan Cumming
Narrated by: Alan Cumming
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Publisher's Summary

"An intimate look at the making of a man, an actor, an advocate - and most importantly - a happy human being. A wonderful book that is funny, honest, fearless, and generous in its vulnerability." (Douglas Stuart, Booker Prize-winning author of Shuggie Bain)

There is absolutely no logical reason why I am here. The life trajectory my nationality and class and circumstances portended for me was not even remotely close to the one I now navigate. But logic is a science and living is an art.

The release I felt in writing my first memoir, Not My Father’s Son, was matched only by how my speaking out empowered so many to engage with their own trauma. I was reminded of the power of my words and the absolute duty of authenticity.

But...

No one ever fully recovers from their past. There is no cure for it. You just learn to manage and prioritize it. I believe the second you feel you have triumphed or overcome something - an abuse, an injury to the body or the mind, an addiction, a character flaw, a habit, a person - you have merely decided to stop being vigilant and embraced denial as your modus operandi. And that is what this book is about, and for: to remind you not to buy in to the Hollywood ending.

Ironically maybe, much of Baggage chronicles my life in Hollywood and how, since I recovered from a nervous breakdown at 28, work has repeatedly whisked me away from personal calamities to sets and stages around the world. It is also about marriage(s): starting with the breakup of my first (to a woman) and ending with the ascension to my second (to a man) with many kissed toads in between! But in everything, each failed relationship or encounter with a legend (Liza! X Men! Gore Vidal! Kubrick! Spice Girls!), in every bad decision or moment of sensual joy I have endeavored to show what I have learned and how I’ve become who I am today: a happy, flawed, vulnerable, fearless middle-aged man, with a lot of baggage.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Alan Cumming (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about Baggage

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Brilliant…

Unexpectedly wonderful ! Great pace, vocabulary, honesty, timing ! I simply enjoyed the entire story which I have now listened to several times and will enjoy again. I also love the authors reading…just a complete joy…thank you !

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Like listening to a great friend

Alan Cumming is a wonderful storyteller and narrator. He does not tell a story A-B-C-D....he jumps around in time, however, it doesn’t get confusing and flows very well in the narrative. His story and the way he tells it truly makes it feel like you have sat down with a great friend and he is telling you all about his life and adventures. And to answer his question at the end, yes it was worth the wait.

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