Sonny Boy

A Memoir

De: Al Pacino

Narrado por: Al Pacino

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

©2024 Al Pacino (P)2024 Penguin Audio

The story, his humility, his life as a whole

Wasn’t ever going to buy this book as I had an idea in my head about who al Pacino was, and while I was a fan, it just didn’t appeal to me. Till my friend told me to listen to it. Possibly the most surprising book I have read this year. What a wonderful memoir of a life I never even had an idea about, or just how down to earth humble this man was. A GEM of a book. Best listen of 2024.

AL TELLS HIS STORY… from young boy to man in his 80’s

Absolutely mesmerising autobiographical journey read by the author - in great detail, full of anecdotes and sometimes he head off in tangent directions but it’s always enjoyable and highly entertaining. Very unique story from a one of a kind acting legend.

pacions great story telling in your ears

laid back nice stories from Pacino, but nothing shocking or surprising from my ears. I stopped listening a few times and made myself finish cause I purchased it.
good if you admire him as a performer as I believe everyone should.
if you're an aspiring artist maybe you would enjoy some more.

Thank You Al Pacino

i am a bit biased when it comes to Al Pacino because he is one of my favourite actors
i read articles watched interviews with him so i thought i knew almost everything about him
well to my pleasent surprise turns out i didn't
and if you want to know more about Al Pacino
get this book
the "narration" doesn't feel like a narration @ all
i felt as i'm listening to him talking to me over the phone. buy the book and enjoy the ride