Not My Father's Son
A Family Memoir
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Not My Father's Son
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Narrated by:
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Alan Cumming
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By:
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Alan Cumming
About this listen
Alan Cumming grew up in the grip of a man who held his family hostage, someone who meted out violence with a frightening ease, who waged a silent war with himself that sometimes spilled over onto everyone around him. That man was Alan's father, Alex Cumming.
Alex was the dark, enigmatic heart of Cumming family life. But he was not the only mystery. Alan's maternal grandfather, Tommy Darling, had disappeared to the Far East after the Second World War. The last time Alan's mother saw her father she was eight years old. When she was 13, the family was informed that he had died in an accidental shooting.
Curious to explore this second mystery, Alan committed to filming an episode of the BBC's Who Do You Think You Are? Then out of the blue, his father, who Alan and his brother had not seen or spoken to for more than a decade, called. He had a secret he had to share, one that would shock his son to his very core and set in motion a journey that would change Alan's life forever.
At times suspenseful, at times deeply moving, but always brave and honest, Not My Father's Son is a powerful story about embracing the best aspects of the past and triumphantly pushing the darkness aside.
©2014 Alan Cumming (P)2014 Canongate Books LtdEditorial reviews
Critic Reviews
"What a shattering, compelling and extraordinary story Alan Cumming has to tell. And he does so with such style and grace . . . Beautifully and cunningly structured, Not My Father's Son is one of the most memorable, heart-stopping autobiographies I have ever read." (Stephen Fry)
"Do you know the old line "I laughed, I cried, it became a part of me"? Alan Cumming's moving memoir Not My Father's Son is all that and more. This is a beautiful book-sad, funny, haunting, surprising, suspenseful, gut-wrenching, endearing. It will linger inside of you long after you turn the final page." (Harlan Coben, author of New York Times bestsellers Missing You and Six Years)
"In beautiful, honest, arresting prose, he offers a tale you'll never forget. A real diamond of a book." (Andrew O'Hagan)
"A clear-eyed, often moving account of both his terrifying childhood and his recent attempts to come to terms with his past [. . .] Not My Father's Son moves elegantly and with an occasional dash of humour between Cumming's childhood and the revelations of the more recent past [. . .] memorable." ( Chicago Tribune)
"One of the most fun people in show business" ( Time)
"Cumming's eccentric style and assured voice shine brightly on every page, while escorting readers and fans on a memorable journey that is simultaneously insightful, brave, moving, and witty." ( Book List)
What listeners say about Not My Father's Son
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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
- Laura from New Zealand
- 02-04-2023
A beautiful story, wonderfully read
This book was so touching, and Alan is a bit of a writer. His poetic descriptions of his surroundings and his effortless shift between then and now were a joy to listen to, not least because of his lovely, mellifluous voice.
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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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- Anonymous User
- 18-06-2023
Left me wanting more
What a brave man to have come through all that cruelty and survived . I won’t say unharmed you couldn’t possibly. Thank god he had a lot of help and now has a happy life. Good luck Alan
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
- Fran496
- 24-01-2022
Engrossing, funny, sad, brave
Alan Cummin's narration brings this story to life. I have had such a run of emotions listening to this. I felt he was telling me his story over a drink in a quiet bar, (or even an airport lounge,) and I gave him every ounce of attention. I did not waver from listening to and digesting every word. Thank you Alan for telling your story, I do hope I meet you one day in an Airport lounge.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 02-02-2022
Fantastic Alan Cumming
I loved this book and the way Alan read it. I was sad sometimes but happy most, and for him to find his grandfather and forgive his father was excellent. Well done Alan and hope you are happy and well Jo x 2/2/2022
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Irene lineham
- 09-02-2022
Thank you Alan Cumming
Loved this book….was so nice and interesting listening to him talk about his life.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Sharron Earsman
- 09-07-2019
Brilliant
Brilliant and heart warming. So good listening to Alan tell his own story. Well written.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- UxCCT
- 05-08-2022
Captivating, entertaining. Highly recommended
Alan’s storytelling is compelling in its simplicity, yet uses powerfully evocative language. What a life! Listened to this on a long road trip and didn’t notice the time passing. Wonderful way to spend this time.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 15-06-2021
Fabulous book couldn't put it down
Unexpected story of Alan's life, beautifully read by Alan with his wonderful voice, full of emotion and so real. I believe this would have been a very difficult book to write. Thank you for letting us into you life. Heartbreaking and fascinating
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- Vanessa Fardon
- 23-12-2016
Eye opening and refreshingly honest
Alan's story keeps you wanting to read/hear more and gives you such insight to his life experiences. I cried and laughed along the way, thanks for sharing.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jessica
- 15-03-2015
awesome
i loved it. he told the story so well. he was beautiful to listen to. awesome!
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