Boy from the Valleys
My unexpected journey
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Narrated by:
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Luke Evans
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By:
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Luke Evans
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
From his humble beginnings in a quaint Welsh mining village to the dazzling lights of Hollywood, much-loved star, Luke Evans takes us on a poignant and inspiring journey that spans from the heart of Wales to behind the scenes of the global stage.
Growing up in a small village in the Rhymney Valley, south Wales, Luke Evans’ early life was shaped by his Jehovah's Witness upbringing. While most children of his age spent their Saturday mornings watching Going Live on television, young Luke would dress in a suit and tie and join his parents to knock on doors to spread the word of his religion. From an early age, he felt different. This feeling of displacement was not limited to his faith, as he came to terms with his own sexuality, he also faced a difficult and uncertain path. In his poignant, tender and often humorous account, Luke shares his bold decision to leave home – and the religion – at seventeen to move to London where vibrant Soho scene captured his heart, invigorated his creative journey as an actor and opened a whole new world of opportunity.
In finding himself, Luke also discovered his passions of singing, acting and performing. Starring first on the West End stages in iconic productions like Miss Saigon, Avenue Q and Rent, he quickly captivated the hearts of audiences and caught the eye of Hollywood's elite, going on to secure roles in blockbuster films such as The Hobbit, Beauty and the Beast, Fast and Furious and Dracula Untold.
In this intimate memoir, Luke takes us behind the scenes of his career on the stage and screen. He writes beautifully of the relationship he now has with his family and the respect they all have for one another on their different paths. Luke's story is a powerful tale of resilience, courage, and the pursuit of finding a sense of belonging and identity, but mostly (and hopefully) a story of inspiration.
What listeners say about Boy from the Valleys
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- Mereana from Aotearoa/NZ
- 01-01-2025
An artist’s journey.
I first came about your interview, I think you were at a Radio station in London, where Luke Evan’s shared about this autobiography. The first thing that caught my ears was that he’s from Wales and grew up Jehovah Witness. As a Māori who grew up in poverty and Seventh Day Adventist (then turned Pentecostal - which now I’m a born-again heathen since 2020). I too believed that there was something more outside the small ghost town of Kaikohe, Northland, Aotearoa-NZ, but it was my family who wanted me to stay behind while with the help of the teaching staff from my High School I - the first out of my immediate family and my generation left for the big smoke and studied Art & Design. Which takes me to the third part - Evan’s is an Artist.
I be honest, in my late 30s and going through the biggest drought to date, the message at the end… “don’t look back, reflect, but go forwards” I’ve gone through some traumatic, heartbreaking, gut wrenching setbacks, listening to your Evan’s story from start to finish I could resonate with some (and rather important) experiences. Listening to this book is like having an older brother telling you everything will turn out for the absolute best.
Mr. Evans, I know this book has already helped others one way or another. And I’m glad that the best thing I’ve done in 2025 is purchase this book.
Turou Hawaiki (Blessings).
P.S: I too didn’t start driving until last year 😂 never too late.
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