Sonny Boy
A Memoir
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Sonny Boy
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Narrated by:
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Al Pacino
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By:
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Al Pacino
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
From one of the most iconic actors in the history of film, an astonishingly revelatory account of a creative life in full
To the wider world, Al Pacino exploded onto the scene like a supernova. He landed his first leading role, in The Panic in Needle Park, in 1971, and by 1975, he had starred in four movies—The Godfather and The Godfather Part II, Serpico, and Dog Day Afternoon—that were not just successes but landmarks in the history of film. Those performances became legendary and changed his life forever. Not since Marlon Brando and James Dean in the late 1950s had an actor landed in the culture with such force.
But Pacino was in his midthirties by then, and had already lived several lives. A fixture of avant-garde theater in New York, he had led a bohemian existence, working odd jobs to support his craft. He was raised by a fiercely loving but mentally unwell mother and her parents after his father left them when he was young, but in a real sense he was raised by the streets of the South Bronx, and by the troop of buccaneering young friends he ran with, whose spirits never left him. After a teacher recognized his acting promise and pushed him toward New York’s fabled High School of Performing Arts, the die was cast. In good times and bad, in poverty and in wealth and in poverty again, through pain and joy, acting was his lifeline, its community his tribe.
Sonny Boy is the memoir of a man who has nothing left to fear and nothing left to hide. All the great roles, the essential collaborations, and the important relationships are given their full due, as is the vexed marriage between creativity and commerce at the highest levels. The book’s golden thread, however, is the spirit of love and purpose. Love can fail you, and you can be defeated in your ambitions—the same lights that shine bright can also dim. But Al Pacino was lucky enough to fall deeply in love with a craft before he had the foggiest idea of any of its earthly rewards, and he never fell out of love. That has made all the difference.
‘A 5 ft 7in Hollywood giant … Al Pacino’s eccentric memoir really preserves his Bronx-reared turn of phrase’ The Times
'Surprising, introspective … His youth was grim, his money troubles serious, his fame unlikely. Al Pacino’s friends all died in poverty. How did he survive?’ Telegraph
‘This book is a beautiful trip … (from) one of the world’s greatest, most influential actors for more than 50 years. He’s audacious. He’s outrageous. He’s Al Pacino’ The New York Times
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What listeners say about Sonny Boy
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 06-11-24
A Chat With Pacino
I have read many memoirs and autobiographies in my time, but this is something else..... Narrated by Pacino himself, this takes the memoir to a new level. The book has a refreshing realism and a frank honesty that is both refreshing and revelatory. Pacino presents himself as he really is, with no embellishment and his narration is the best I've heard. It was a joy to listen to his deeply personal recollections and memories - it was like having Pacino in the room with me, just having a chat about his extraordinary life.
He is completely honest about the work of which he is proud, and that which disappointed him. He also is totally frank about his failings and weaknesses, his poor judgement and lack of skill in business dealings and the reasons for his decisions regarding his choice of roles. His candour is delightful and refreshing in an industry where image so closely linked to success. He has always gone his own way for better or worse, and his honesty allows the listener to feel an intimacy with him that is almost hypnotic.
By the end of the memoir, you feel as if you really know him and surely, that is the point of a book like this. His narration is simply wonderful! His style is intimate and informal; when he laughed in the middle of a sentence, I couldn't help but laugh along with him. When I heard a smile is in voice, I couldn't stop myself smiling too, but there were also memories of regrets, which he related without self-pity. His attitude to his life is quite unique, and there is a charming naivete to his character that is endearing. The book helps us understand this remarkable actor and an incredibly interesting human being. I highly recommend this book!
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 23-10-24
The authenticity and voice of the narrator.
Authentic and engaging narrative. Love that Al Pacino himself is the narrator. He describes his childhood and youth so vividly that it feels as if you are a spectator standing on the corner.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr Emmett Smyth
- 18-10-24
Fabulous.
Brilliantly read and so interesting with lots of insight to great films and a great life with so many interesting people.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- luna travers
- 21-11-24
what a guy!
I am really enjoying this audiobook, what a guy! A brilliantly read audiobiography by the legend himself. Beautifully reflective, such tender descriptions of his mother and the people he loves, contrasting the laugh out loud stories. it makes a pleasant change to listen to an autobiography/ memoir that is hilariously honest, touchingly reflective and written and read by a man I consider a true artist. No ego, intelligent, insightful and full of the emotion and learning.
Highly recommended - incredibly inspirational.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Philip Bailey
- 06-11-24
Narration.
Pacino’s just a darling. A humble wander through the extraordinary life of an extraordinary actor. And he gives it such pathos, so much so that the very last line left me looking for a place to hide my sudden tears in the middle of an M&S food hall.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- TT
- 30-10-24
Honest and interesting.
Honest and interesting. Wonderfully expressive and a journey through the live of a true acting legend.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Samra
- 20-11-24
Great master of film
Loved this book especially as it was read by Al Pacino, very moving in places. I don’t often read memoirs but this was exceptional and exceeded my expectations. I thoroughly recommend it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 24-10-24
Like being in a bar with Al Pacino
The way Al speaks, makes you feel like you’ve just met him in a quiet bar. It’s like both of you are out of town and meet unexpectedly and just start swapping stories whilst buying each other drinks until closing time.
I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter and learned so much about him and his early years growing up in the South Bronx.
A must for any fan.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 25-10-24
Great insight into Al life
Thank you for sharing your life stories and experiences. It was great to hear from your point of views in life with Work and family.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Alistair
- 07-11-24
fantastic
Takes alot to take my mind off dialysis, but this was a fantastic book. I couldn't put it down. I love to hear future content of Al pacino reading. His voice is very relaxing, fantastic at storytelling. I highly recommend. It's one of my favourite books this year.
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