Review: The Actor's Life by Jenna Fischer

The Actor's Life is basically a guide to being an actor. If you are looking for Jenna Fischer's funny antics through life, this is not what you are going to get. Well, you will get that but not as much as you get a how-to guide on the life of an actor.

The book goes step by step through what steps should be taken to achieve the goal of being a working actor. It is well-written, funny, informative (though I am not sure how much is stuff that isn't on the internet), and seems to have sound and comforting advice. I would love a step by step guide to my dream job written by a funny, smart, interesting person in the field. It was an excellent idea for a book, and it is executed very well. It is an intensely compassionate practical guide.

The criticism I have of this book is the "never give up" mantra Fisher touts. That is a beautiful sentiment. And for some people never giving up works out really really well. Some people struggle for ten years then become a star or an actor that will be able to work and earn a comfortable living. But I would imagine that for some, never giving up is dooming one's self to a life of part-time jobs and occasional acting work never being financially secure. If you never give up, it could work well, or it could keep you from ever achieving financial security. But maybe I am cynical.

I honestly just read this book because I am currently watching The Office for the first time and this was available from my library with minimal waiting (I had read Mindy Kaling's books well before having watched the show and plan on reading Rainn Wilson's next). If you want to read because you just LOVEEE Pam than there are some awesome The Office stories. She made me want to do a rewatch, and I am not even done yet (will be soon).

I enjoyed this book, I think it is an excellent gift for anyone you know who wants to be an artist, especially an actor obviously, or just and The Office superfans in your life. I gave it five stars on Goodreads.