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Brat: An '80s Story Hardcover – May 11, 2021

by Andrew McCarthy (Author)
Goodreads Choice Award nominee
See all formats and editions
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From an actor and director who got his start as a Brat Pack member,  an emotionally poignant memoir,  perfect for fans of Patti Smith's Just Kids and Rob Lowe's Stories I Only Tell My Friends. The inspiration for the Hulu documentary.

Everyone knows Andrew McCarthy from his iconic movie roles in Pretty in Pink,  St. Elmo's Fire, Weekend at Bernie's, and Less than Zero. A member of the legendary Hollywood Brat Pack (including Rob Lowe, Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, and Demi Moore), his filmography has come to represent both a genre of film and an era of pop culture.
 
In Brat, McCarthy focuses on that singular moment in time. The result is a revealing look at coming of age in a maelstrom, reckoning with conflicted ambition, innocence, addiction, and masculinity. 1980s New York City is brought to vivid life in these pages, from scoring loose joints in Washington Square Park to skipping school in favor of the dark revival houses of the Village–where he fell in love with the movies that would change his life.
 
Filled with personal revelations of innocence lost to heady days in Hollywood with John Hughes and an iconic cast of characters, Brat is a surprising and intimate story of an outsider caught up in a most unwitting success.
 
 
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  1. Print length
    240 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Grand Central Publishing
  4. Publication date
    May 11, 2021
  5. Dimensions
    5.85 x 1.1 x 8.6 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1538754274
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1538754276
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

brat, 80s, andrew mccarthy

brat, 80s, andrew mccarthy

brat, 80s, andrew mccarthy

Editorial Reviews

Review

“With wit, wisdom, and a depth of honesty that will resonate to your core, Andrew McCarthy lays down the armor of an unknowable scared boy to shine light on the complex and conflicting pieces that make up the intelligent, introspective, compassionate, and wise man who is even more lovable than the boy we first fell in love with.”―Demi Moore, actress and New York Times bestselling author of Inside Out

“How lucky we are that Andrew McCarthy, such a key player in the Brat Pack phenomenon, should happen to be so naturally gifted a writer and so piercingly, ruefully, and hilariously wise, intelligent, and insightful a chronicler of that wild ride. He somehow survived the madness, and the result is a truly rewarding addition to the bookshelves of film lovers everywhere.”―Stephen Fry, writer, actor, and comedian

“Andrew McCarthy is one of the best. He’s a dogged character: witty and wry, self-abnegating, always questioning his success. Thanks to his prodigious talents, he succeeds beautifully. This unlikely leading man explores masculinity, success, the dangers of fame, ambition, and cigarettes in this elegant and humorous coming-of-age story of a Brat Pack actor turned director and writer.”―Candace Bushnell, bestselling author and creator of Sex and the City

“My only quibble with this absorbing, thoughtful, and sometimes painfully honest memoir is with the title; McCarthy is anything but a brat. He is certainly an unlikely movie star, and the story of how this diffident and insecure young man found himself at the center of the culture in the 1980s—and then decided to walk away from it all—makes for a fascinating read.”―Jay McInerney, author of Bright Lights, Big City and The Good Life

"With “Brat: An ’80s Story,” out May 11, [McCarthy] offers not only a recollection of his experiences shooting films like “Pretty in Pink,” “Mannequin,” “Weekend at Bernie’s” and the Georgetown-set ensemble “St. Elmo’s Fire,” but a broader exploration of the tangled nature of success, fame, his complicated relationship with his father and his personal demons. Less sordid tell-all, more contemplative reflection."―The Washington Post

"[McCarthy] reveals a few fun behind-the-scenes details (he had to reshoot the prom scene in Pretty in Pink while wearing an ill-fitting wig!), but [Brat] is no salacious tell-all. With bracing intimacy and honesty, he digs deep to chronicle his own self-destructive alcohol abuse and his intense discomfort in the spotlight."―Parade

"[McCarthy's] perspective is welcome, his insight more, much more, than zero."―USA Today

"McCarthy’s stories not only offer dishy name-dropping, but also near-constant humorous self-deprecation as he looks at his past with the advantages of age and time."

―A.V. Club

“Shrewd storytelling ...brutal honesty…a timeless whirl through the surreal Hollywood shuffle."―Entertainment Weekly

 “[E]lectrifying. . . [C]ompelling and lyrical.”―Irish Independent

"If “Pretty in Pink,” “St. Elmo’s Fire” and “Less than Zero” continue to stay in heavy rotation on your must-watch list, odds are Andrew McCarthy’s new memoir is as much a no-brainer as Andie ending up with Blane at the prom. The Brat Packer focuses on growing up in New York City in the ’80s, getting candid about lost innocence and the highs and lows of his rise to fame in Hollywood."―CNN

“Students of acting will appreciate learning about McCarthy’s versions of method acting and his struggles with performing for a camera. Fans of ’80s cinema will love the chance to reminisce.”―Library Journal

“[A] heartful memoir…McCarthy is clear-eyed and unsparing about Hollywood but takes the emotional intensity of the actor’s craft and life seriously. The result is a riveting portrait of the artist as a young man.”―Publishers Weekly

"[L]ong-awaited. . . [A]n incessantly grabby page-turner."―National Review

"[Brat] is an honest exploration of the highs and lows of being part of the Hollywood crowd."―Town & Country

"Aside from a squeal-inducing trip down memory lane for anyone who grew up in the Brat Pack era, Andrew McCarthy's Brat: An '80s Story is a surprisingly, and refreshingly, honest memoir."―Forbes

"Andrew McCarthy is giving readers an inside look at what life as a member of Hollywood's Brat Pack was really like in Brat: An '80s Story. His memoir focuses on what it was like for the Pretty in Pink star to come of age during one of the most significant eras in Hollywood's pop culture history."―PopSugar

"Andrew McCarthy, the star of St. Elmo’s Fire and Pretty in Pink, looks back on one glitzy, debaucherous decade in Brat. . . [T]his memoir is a must-read for any film fan."―Bustle

"[Brat] has a little something for everyone. . . [A]n entertaining, yet self-reflective, romp down memory lane. McCarthy’s writing is solid and flowing, honest and critical. Fans with a special place in their heart for ‘80s nostalgia are sure to enjoy the stories shared here."―The Nerd Daily

PRAISE FOR ANDREW MCCARTHY

"Soulful and searching . . . McCarthy's prose shines with intelligence and intimacy . . . A long, strange trip on the direction of full-throttle love."―Cheryl Strayed, New York Times Book Review

"McCarthy ponders some of the biggest and most frightening questions surrounding intimacy: How does a loner connect? How does a traveler settle down? How do we merge into families without losing ourselves? The answer seems to be that all these things are impossible...and yet somehow we do it anyway. There is much to be learned, and much to be admired, in this elegant, thoughtful story."―Elizabeth Gilbert, bestselling author of Eat, Pray, Love

"A candid, touching, and often humorous new memoir."―San Francisco Chronicle

"Andrew McCarthy treks from Baltimore to the Amazon, exploring his commitment issues as fearlessly as he scales Mount Kilimanjaro."―Elle

"Brave and moving. . . McCarthy's keen sense of scene and storytelling ignites his accounts...[t]hreaded with an exemplary vulnerability and propelled by a candid exploration of his own life's frailties."―National Geographic

"This is not some memoir written by an actor who fancies himself a world traveler. McCarthy really is a world traveler - and a damned fine writer, too...To readers who think, "Andrew McCarthy? Really?" the answer is a resounding and emphatic yes. Really."―Booklist

"Rarely have I seen the male psyche explored with such honesty and vulnerability. This is the story of a son, a father, a brother, a husband, a man who finds the courage not only to face himself, but to reveal himself, and, in so doing, illuminates something about what it is to be human, fully alive, and awake."―Dani Shapiro, author of Devotion

"It's hard to write books that are both adventurous and touching, but Andrew McCarthy manages to pull it off and more! A smart, valuable book."―Gary Shteyngart, bestselling author of Super Sad True Love Story and Absurdistan

"Where lesser writers might reach for hyperbole and Roget to describe such exotic lands as Patagonia, Kilimanjaro and Baltimore, in The Longest Way Home, McCarthy leans on subtlety, a straightforward style and hard-won insights to allow his larger stories to unfold. It's not hard to imagine him as the solitary figure in the café, scribbling in a notebook by candlelight, making the lonely, tedious work of travel writing look romantic and easy."―Chuck Thompson, author of Better Off Without 'Em and Smile When You're Lying

About the Author

Since starring in the movies he recounts throughout Brat, Andrew McCarthy has become a director, an award-winning travel writer, and a bestselling author. He has directed more than eighty hours of television, including Orange in the New Black, The Blacklist, Gossip Girl, and many others. For a dozen years he served as editor at large at National Geographic Traveler, and his award-winning travel writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, TIME, and elsewhere. He is the author a travel memoir, The Longest Way Home, and a young-adult novel, Just Fly Away—both New York Times bestsellers.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Grand Central Publishing (May 11, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1538754274
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1538754276
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.85 x 1.1 x 8.6 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

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Andrew McCarthy

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4,771 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the writing quality thoughtful, remarkable, and readable. They also find the memoir enjoyable, nice, and filled with truth. Readers describe the book as poignant, insightful, and introspective. They say it brings back great 80s memories. However, some find the book boring, banal, and depressing.

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ReadabilityWriting qualityInsightHonestyNostalgiaLookEase of useBoredom
215 customers mention "Readability"215 positive0 negative

Customers find the book fascinating, insightful, and a good read. They say the author is a great storyteller and remarkable writer. Readers also mention the book explains the journey and reinforces what they thought about the author.

"...that I decided I'd give this book a chance. Not only are the stories so interesting, but they are incredibly beautifully written...." Read more

"...His experience is moving and insightful and such a good read. I will be looking out for more of his work. His documentary was excellent...." Read more

"...He possesses the sense of narrative that a good storyteller should. I assume from all of his time in film and TV...." Read more

"Andrew McCarthy is an excellent story-teller, and he also has a fascinating story to tell. This book is an excellent read." Read more

140 customers mention "Writing quality"137 positive3 negative

Customers find the writing quality thoughtful, remarkable, and conversational. They also say the author is talented, intelligent, and insightful. Readers also mention the book is tastefully done, truthful, and an easy read.

"...Not only are the stories so interesting, but they are incredibly beautifully written...." Read more

"...I was very interested to see that he is a good writer. He possesses the sense of narrative that a good storyteller should...." Read more

"Even if you barely remember Andrew do read it. He is a good writer and draws you in. It shares life lessons without being preachy." Read more

"...He is an awesome actor!" Read more

79 customers mention "Insight"79 positive0 negative

Customers find the book poignant, relatable, and introspective. They describe it as a thoughtful and entertaining read. Readers also mention the book is refreshingly human and an enlightening look inside that time.

"...I will be looking out for more of his work. His documentary was excellent. I watched all of The Blacklist and never knew he directed some episodes." Read more

"...He is a good writer and draws you in. It shares life lessons without being preachy." Read more

"...He writes so eloquently and really bares himself in this story, starting with his childhood and talking about his journey...." Read more

"...The author is so good at describing surrounding environments and events, relating to the emotions and experiences that he was having at a particular..." Read more

36 customers mention "Honesty"36 positive0 negative

Customers find the book shockingly honest, candid, and refreshing. They say it's filled with truth.

"...He is open and honest about what he had to learn the hard way and about alcohol and drugs trying hard to consume him forever...." Read more

"...the viewpoint of a man willing to be introspective, vulnerable, and honest... an adult who has outlived the box we've all held him in..." Read more

"...Something, he owns up to in this very telling, very well written memoir...." Read more

"...This book was tastefully done, very truthful, without being a "tell-all," which so many actors tend to write...." Read more

21 customers mention "Nostalgia"18 positive3 negative

Customers find the book nostalgic without romanticizing it. They say it brings back memories of watching Andrew's early movies. Readers also appreciate the book's low-key tone and avoid hyperbole about the era.

"...and smile at the Brat he once was, this a memoir that feels nostalgic without the romanticism, and names are dropped without the gossipy, tell-all..." Read more

"...I had no idea Andrew was such a skilled writer. I was washed with waves of nostalgia and he reminisced about his career and life-altering events...." Read more

"...They are classics. I wish he would have found the joy or fun in those films instead of dwelling on the negatives...." Read more

"...This was a really good read and brought back some good memories of coming of age in the 80’s." Read more

8 customers mention "Look"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book pretty good-looking.

"Andrew did an amazing job writing this book. It was nice to have an insiders look into the “brat pack”. I always loved them." Read more

"...I thought he was charming and handsome. He smiled with his eyes...." Read more

"...a memoir that was fascinating for that reason but honestly it was so beautifully and compelling written, I read it in one day...." Read more

"...I beg to differ. He is pretty good looking. But you don't hear too much about him anymore. But good book. Simple to read. Down to earth." Read more

6 customers mention "Ease of use"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to use and hard to put down.

"Read this quickly. Mr. McCarthy is a gifted writer with an easy, readable style that keeps the reader engaged...." Read more

"...I enjoyed this book, I've enjoyed many of his movies. An easy, lightweight read without all the "who slept with who" garbage so many celebs fill..." Read more

"One of my favorite actors from the 80’s. Easy and quick read" Read more

"...Mr. McCarthy writes in a way that is easy to process, a bit self deprecating but honest and real...." Read more

32 customers mention "Boredom"7 positive25 negative

Customers find the book boring, banal, and disappointing. They also say it's unwatchable and has no actual brat stories.

"...Less than Zero (good cast but unwatchable and apparently the cast was a bit too method)..." Read more

"...What a boring book. My biggest gripe? I paid real money for it. Yes, i wasted money on this empty between the covers 'book'...." Read more

"...Sounds like it was written by a whiney, unappreciative, true BRAT. hated it and so disappointed in Andrew McCarthy." Read more

"...His experience is moving and insightful and such a good read. I will be looking out for more of his work. His documentary was excellent...." Read more

A Writer Who Bares All
5 out of 5 stars
A Writer Who Bares All
For me, what was so compelling about this book, was the juxtaposition between who we thought Andrew McCarthy was , through the depiction of the BRAT Pack created by the media back in the 80s, and who he actually was: a young man, and aspiring actor, who was just looking for work, credibility, and validation that he genuinely craved and had been lacking throughout his childhood. This wasn't a memoir written for the sake of nostalgia, or reminiscing the good old days, it was an honest, and at times, even a raw account of a very confusing time of life for somebody who almost overnight, achieved fame, and a reputation that couldn't have been further from his truth. There were times throughout where I felt he could have included more detail, but it makes sense that there would be more detail. I'm sure this book could have been more lengthy, that he could have drawn entire pictures of what happened day-in and day-out on sets, in his home life, in college, and nights at the bars..but he gave enough of a sliver of so many different memories that seemed pertinent, if not life changing. Overall, I feel like he did a great job crafting his successes, both as an actor, and as a writer, and he did it with honesty, and sensitivity towards himself, and to others whom he met along the way.
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Top reviews from the United States

Martyvettech
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written
Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2024
Verified Purchase
I actually wasn't a very big fan of Andrew McCarthy prior to listening to this autobiography. I bought it because of the recent revival of all the 80s movies and so many interesting stories about the making of them, the actors, behind the scenes, etc. that I decided I'd give this book a chance. Not only are the stories so interesting, but they are incredibly beautifully written. Andrew McCarthy may be a gifted thespian & the talent behind the camera as well, but his writing is his true gift. I loved this book.
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Al/Jeanne, Hackensack NJ
5.0 out of 5 stars 80's Story for all Generations
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2024
Verified Purchase
I couldn't put this book down. I started watching the documentary but stopped to read this first. I grew up in the 80's and loved (still love) all of the "brat pack" movies and actors. My teenage friends and I could relate and find comfort that we weren't alone in our feelings. I remember hearing and seeing the "brat pack" nickname but never gave it much thought. Nothing would have diminished my admiration.
My mom (the silent generation) would always enjoy these films and now my 16 yo (gen z) loves the very same movies. I can still watch them with her and walk away happy. You don't need to be an 80s kid to enjoy this book. Everyone struggles as a teenager or young adult.

I had no idea that Andrew McCarthy was such a talented writer! He really brought me back to the gritty and exciting times in NYC. His experience is moving and insightful and such a good read. I will be looking out for more of his work. His documentary was excellent. I watched all of The Blacklist and never knew he directed some episodes.
3 people found this helpful
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Eric Hall
4.0 out of 5 stars Just like the 80s I was sad when this book was over
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2024
Verified Purchase
So difficult to know what's going on behind the scenes
I grew up in LA during this era . And they all seemed like magical, perfect, manufactured stars
Of course that wasn't true.
I guess I can say I'm okay with it now 40 years later.
2 people found this helpful
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KM Ferry
5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific read.
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2024
Verified Purchase
McCarthy does a great job of delving into the Brat Pack phenomenon and exploring how it affected the group of extraordinary actors who got caught in the fallout.
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teatime7
3.0 out of 5 stars Not what you Thhink.
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2021
Verified Purchase
I was really excited about the book. As a kid who had most of his formative years in the 80's, the Brat Pack movies played a huge part in my adolescence. McCarthy has been relatively tight-lipped over the years about those times so I thought that this would be a great look back tell-all. I was very interested to see that he is a good writer. He possesses the sense of narrative that a good storyteller should. I assume from all of his time in film and TV. As engaging as the writing is, it seemed to dwell much less on anecdotes from the time and behind-the-scenes details no one has heard yet, and more like a cathartic explanation of this method, and his family and substance issues. His recollections of the films are minimal and lack detail. He seemed to only know the other stars and filmmakers of those movies in passing and didn't much associate with them at the time. Overall I was a bit let down, but it was nice getting a bit of insight into the time. It was like seeing an old high school friend you haven't seen in 30 years just to be regaled with tales of the humdrum of their daily lives and no real insight into who they are and what has happened in all that time.
105 people found this helpful
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Kevin
5.0 out of 5 stars Sentimental and insightful. An easy read.
Reviewed in the United States on July 25, 2024
Verified Purchase
Even if you barely remember Andrew do read it. He is a good writer and draws you in. It shares life lessons without being preachy.
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Peter Winkler
5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written, engaging, entertaining book
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2024
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Andrew McCarthy is an excellent story-teller, and he also has a fascinating story to tell. This book is an excellent read.
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Meredith in Maine
4.0 out of 5 stars How a Shy Jersey Kid Landed in the Brat Pack
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2021
Verified Purchase
If you grew up in the Eighties, the "Brat Pack" is indelibly seared into your cultural consciousness. They were the pre-Internet, pre-social media cool kids, and we pictured them as hotshot buddies, hanging out together glamorously at the hottest clubs and restaurants. Not so, says Andrew McCarthy.

In truth, he never even knew some of them very well, and hasn't seen Judd Nelson or Emilio Estevez since the set of St. Elmo's Fire. That's one of the surprises in Brat, and there are many more I won't give away because what fun is that?

Some of the most interesting moments in the book for me were the parts about acting. Having lucked into a role opposite Rob Lowe and Jacqueline Bissett in Class, the then-teenaged McCarthy found himself acting in front of a movie camera for the first time. How he dealt with his anxiety and inexperience was fascinating and something you don't see actors talking about very much. He continued to work at acting, consulting various teachers and former professors throughout his movie career. The guy was (is?) a serious actor, and his process of getting there was compelling to me.

He's also honest about having gotten sober and spending lots of time in therapy since his alleged Brat Pack days. He spends many a paragraph owning up to what he terms defense mechanisms that caused him to be perceived as indifferent and disengaged, and admits to not having the greatest of working relationships with costars including Molly Ringwald and Jon Cryer. I would have liked to read more about that and how he came to those conclusions, but maybe next time.

If you followed the Brat Pack with interest back then, or are curious about the process of acting and how a shy Jersey boy ends up living in Jacqueline Bissett's Hollywood Hills home before he's old enough to rent a car, you'll enjoy this book. I did.
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Sheptowers
5.0 out of 5 stars Buenos recuerdos
Reviewed in Mexico on July 14, 2022
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Entretenida autobiografía. Inevitable recordar buenos tiempos, habiendo crecido con esas películas (buenas,bobas o malas) y sus actrices/actores.
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Juno
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it and think it’s funny have to buy physical book (worth it!)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 21, 2024
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A peak behind the curtain of Andrew McCarthy growing up and seemingly randomly plucked from acting school into movie stardom.
He’s very modest but he definitely had a unique vibe in his attitide on screen.
Interesting to read about the non-relationships within the Brat pack. Not really what you want to hear about St Elmo’s Fire tight gang.
I’ve now watched the documentary and was a perfect book-end to this memoire. Catching up and reflecting with the other actors - making sense of the legacy of the Brat moniker and seemingly making peace with it.
Apart from Rob Lowe - everyone seemed to have their career movie high in the 80s.
So pleased to see that Andrew McCarthy has made a success of writing (and TV directing). Like catching up with an old friend 30 years later.
I really enjoyed this book and passed it on to another AM fan.
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Christine Laing
5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth reading!
Reviewed in Canada on May 21, 2021
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Whether you are an Andrew fan or not...I am...lol...or a BRAT PACK fan or not...I am...lol..the '80's were an experience to live through. The way this book reads is how I imagined he would sound. It is interesting to read his perspective on life as he was living it from his position of 20/20. There is much I learned from reading this book...including about myself & the way we view "celebrities" as almost super human...yet even they have a story we aren't privy to. It was wonderful to read his. I would for sure recommend this book.
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Sziporka
5.0 out of 5 stars I love it!
Reviewed in Germany on February 10, 2023
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Perfect
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VANESSA GS
5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente
Reviewed in Spain on September 2, 2021
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Un libro sorprendente. Conocer de primera mano las experiencias por las que pasa un joven Andrew McCarthy, mostrándonos un mundo totalmente diferente al que teníamos pensado, es sin duda, el mejor regalo para conocer a este extraordinario actor, director y escritor.
Esperando leer su próximo libro de peregrinación por el Camino de Santiago junto a su hijo Sam!!!
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