Never Grow Up

October 22, 2018
This autobiography from action movie superstar Chan is not unlike a blockbuster film from Chan’s native Hong Kong: occasionally cheesy, sometimes questionable in quality, but undeniably fun. Born in 1954, Chan began appearing in martial arts films before
the age of 10. Though his career proceeded by fits and starts, he found major stardom by the late 1970s and has appeared in more than 200 films. This book is marked by functional prose, a shambolic structure, and several sections (such as on Chan’s love of red wine, or his restoration of old Chinese homes) that go nowhere. Fortunately, Chan’s tone is winningly upbeat, and the pleasure he takes in his own success story is infectious. The author doesn’t hide his personal flaws, admitting to acting arrogantly when he first found fame, and in subsequent years to having been an insensitive and unfaithful husband. Despite the title, the book shows him eventually maturing into a person newly respectful and considerate toward his family and friends, even as he continues to make action films well into his 60s. This book isn’t going to win any awards, but like Jackie Chan himself, it provides a heck of a lot of entertainment.

November 1, 2018
Hong Kong-born Chan (I Am Jackie Chan, 1998), action star and the world's best-known martial artist, outlines his life story in this (mostly) amiable memoir."We can't beat blockbusters like Black Panther and Wonder Woman, but they can't beat us when it comes to kung fu films or pure action--and no one, but no one, can top my huge collection of sticking tape!" So proclaims Chan, who is nothing if not competitive, though he's usually good-humored about it. He was born into the middling rungs of territorial Hong Kong society, his father a martial artist who worked as a chef in a consulate, which landed Chan in a school among rich kids. Chan soon learned to defend himself with his fists, which led him to a school that blended martial arts and acting--just the recipe for the career he carved out for himself, landing his first starring role not long after Bruce Lee's death in a movie called New Fist of Fury, "a major work that would herald the arrival of a new kung fu star," as Chan was promised. He worked his way from contract player to star, always with an eye on the bigger prize of Hollywood. On that note, the memoir begins with his being awarded a lifetime achievement Oscar in 2016. "After fifty-six years, making over two hundred films, and breaking many bones, I never thought I'd win one," he allows, before adding that he wouldn't mind winning another for a film in which he starred or directed. The book is definitively warts (and cracked skulls and broken bones and gallons of blood) and all: The author confesses to all kinds of bad behavior, though he writes that his greatest regret is not having been a better student. He warmly praises friends and colleagues such as Michelle Yeoh ("not many people can match me in my willingness to go for it"), Chris Tucker, and Sylvester Stallone.There's plenty of chopsocky goodness here, but Chan also reveals a soulful, thoughtful side--just one you wouldn't want to mess with.

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November 15, 2018

Chan, an international star known for doing his own stunts, recounts his life, beginning with his intense martial arts education at China Drama Academy. He faced difficulties early on, including being told that he wasn't attractive enough to star as the lead and learning English for U.S. roles. Film buffs and anthropologists may be interested in Chan's analysis of the cultural differences between Hong Kong and Hollywood movie sets. His message is positive and meant to inspire. While this is a quick, conversational read, it's longer than it needs to be. The memoir presents Chan's experiences in chronological order but lacks a strong narrative thread. VERDICT For those curious about the action film industries in China and America from the mid-1970s to the present, as well as fans of Jackie Chan.--Emily Butler, Deerfield Academy, MA

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2018
This plainspoken, breezy, and sympathetic memoir (translated from the original Chinese) reveals the life story behind the sunny smile of one of cinema's most popular action stars. Sent to the China Drama Academy boarding school as a boy, Chan learned kung fu and other performing skills but also endured abuse and failed to receive basic education?a misfortune he rues to this day. He chronicles his journey from being a poor kid with no connections to a famous Hong Kong performer (and self-described nasty jerk ) in his twenties to a Hollywood superstar, boosted by hits like Rumble in the Bronx and Rush Hour. Just as impressive as Chan's intense work ethic and dedication to doing his own stunts is the list he provides of nearly two-dozen stunt-related injuries he has suffered over the years. He also expands on his off-camera life, which includes being an animal lover and accomplished singer and struggling to reconcile his globetrotting work with fatherhood. This is a worthy addition to library collections not only because of Chan's worldwide fame but also for the value of a non-Western Hollywood success story.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)