Love Life

April 14, 2014
Actor Rob Lowe's (Stories I Only Tell My Friends) second memoir deals largely in his more recent past, using the personal essay as a form to reflect on a variety of topics most, notably his television work and life as a husband and father. He provides insight into his acting process, how he held his own in a scene with Dame Maggie Smith, captured the essence of JFK for Killing Kennedy and conceived the character he played in Soderbergh's Behind the Candelabra. He also breaks down some of his post-West Wing failures like NBC's The Lyon's Den plagued by production, writing, and actress problems and CBS's Dr. Vegas, where Lowe found himself ruing his insistence on casting troubled actor Tom Sizemore. When he does travel back to earlier years he seems less invested, but paints a vivid picture of 1970's Malibu, "a bastion of laissez-faire, self-centered, malignant disregard," recalls a visit to the Playboy Mansion at age 19, and being on set for Alec Baldwin's classic speech in Glengarry Glen Ross, "one of the largest beat-downs an actor has ever delivered." On parenting, Lowe shares several amusing anecdotes, the best of which involves a camping trip and a Bigfoot costume, and he reflects on the mix of pride and sadness of sending his son off to college. Lowe's second effort is an interesting insider's perspective on what works in Hollywood and what seems to be irredeemably broken and his advice on life and relationships is well-conceived and intelligent.

April 1, 2014
Actor Lowe follows up his Stories I Only Tell My Friends (2011) with a potpourri of observations and reflections about youthful indiscretions, celebrity tidbits, marriage and fatherhood, addiction and the acting life. In his Brat Pack days, the author's good looks cast him as a leading man and, at the same time, an underrated actor. Readers will learn there's more to him: his love of the craft; seriousness in steering his acting, writing and producing career; dedication to his wife and sons; and a keen self-awareness. He readily admits his flaws--e.g., self-centered tendencies ("[Parks and Recreation co-star] Rashida Jones claims that I am what she likes to call a benevolent narcissist") and emotional aloofness. Given the latter, it's no surprise that his best writing comes in astute observations of the world he inhabits rather than through introspection, which comes off as a bit forced. The strongest material demystifies the process of developing projects for TV and film or choosing and preparing for roles. Lowe approaches his work with an adventurous spirit and an eye toward improvement, and he notes how he often chooses more challenging characters rather than leading roles. Lowe obviously enjoys pointing out the absurdities of show business, as when he conjures up a hilarious conversation between an agent/manager and his client that captures the duplicitous nature of the game. Tender essays about his family show a more vulnerable side to the actor. He writes of losing it after sending his oldest son off to college, teaching the youngest boy how to stand up to a bully on the baseball field, and his glowing admiration for his wife. Readers won't soon forget his most fearless essay, which recounts a raw, heartbreaking experience from his days in rehab for his alcohol addiction. A savvy writer with a quick wit, Lowe invites readers into his world with easy charm and disarming frankness.

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Starred review from April 15, 2014
After 30 years in show business, Lowe is the star of his first sequel. But instead of nabbing a superhero franchise la Robert Downey Jr., he's been reborn as a winning memoirist. Love Life is the highly anticipated follow-up to his glowingly reviewed Stories I Only Tell My Friends (2011). How many other 1980s heartthrobs have been blessed with a second (or third) act while approaching 50? Rather than being a desperate cash-grab from a fading star, Love Life is certain to boost Lowe's professional profile even further while allowing the versatile actor to maintain an ever-thriving television career (Californication and Parks and Recreation are both recalled with candor and fondness). Those expecting more Hollywood tales will not be disappointed with first-person stories involving Warren Beatty, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Clinton, and Madonna that only someone of Lowe's stature could credibly share with such awestruck enthusiasm and thoughtful detail. Lowe credits his longevity to more than just talent, fame, or luck, however. He fills many pages with humble, effusive praise for his stable marriage and shares funny, relatable tales of fatherhood. These are the successes that matter most to him, the ones that have helped him stay sober and grounded while loving life to the fullest. High-Demand Backstory: The spectacular and even somewhat surprising commercial and critical success of the author's previous memoir means automatic library interest in the latest installment.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)