Advanced
Error loading page.
Try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, there may be a network issue, and you can use our self test page to see what's preventing the page from loading.
Learn more about possible network issues or contact support for more help.
Title details for The Most Human by Adam Nimoy - Available

The Most Human

Reconciling with My Father, Leonard Nimoy

by Adam Nimoy
Adam Nimoy
Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
Borrow Listen to a sample Listen to a sample
1 of 1 copy available
Living with Dad was like living with a stranger—as a kid I often had trouble connecting and relating to him. But I was always proud of him. Even before Star Trek, I'd see him popping up in bit roles on some of my favorite TV shows like Get Smart, Sea Hunt, and The Man From U.N.C.L.E. And then one night he brought home Polaroids of himself in makeup and wardrobe for a pilot he was working on. It was December 1964 and nobody had heard of Star Trek. Still, the eight-year-old me had watched enough Outer Limits and My Favorite Martian to understand exactly what I was looking at. Spock's popularity happened quickly, and soon the fan magazines were writing about dad's personal life, characterizing us as a "close family." But the awkwardness that defined our early relationship blossomed into conflict, sometimes smoldering, sometimes open and intense. There were occasional flashes of warmth between the arguments and hurt feelings—even something akin to love—especially when we were celebrating my father's many successes. The rest of the time, things between us were often strained. My resentment towards my father kept building through the years until we were estranged. I wanted things to be different for my children. I wanted to be the father I never had, so I did all the things dads are supposed to do. And then I got Dad's letter. That marked a turning point in our lives, a moment that cleared the way for a new relationship between us.

  • Creators

  • Publisher

  • Release date

    June 4, 2024

  • Formats

    • OverDrive Listen audiobook

      • ISBN: 9781666661248
      • File size: 268129 KB
      • Duration: 09:18:36

  • Languages

    • English

  • Reviews

    • Publisher's Weekly

      June 3, 2024
      Attorney Nimoy (My Incredibly Wonderful, Miserable Life) holds nothing back in this raw look at his relationship with his father, Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy (1931–2015). As a child, Adam struggled to connect with his increasingly famous father, whose emotional distance and alcoholism bred deep resentment in Adam. In 2006, after their relationship had essentially dissolved, Leonard wrote Adam an email lamenting that they “never had a relationship that was meaningful and satisfying,” then followed it up with a six-page letter listing his grievances with Adam. After the shock of the letter wore off, Adam reached out, on the advice of a friend, and admitted to many of his father’s accusations, including that he held grudges and could be abrasive. That broke the ice between them, leading Leonard to invite Adam to a Shabbat dinner, which they soon made a tradition. From there, Adam writes of the projects they collaborated on (including documentaries about Star Trek and Leonard’s Boston childhood), the meals they shared in the last nine years of Leonard’s life, and the personal struggles they bonded over; both were divorced, both dealt with substance abuse. Adam’s candor about his own shortcomings lends warmth and self-awareness to the account. Even non-Trekkies will be moved.

    • AudioFile Magazine
      Adam Nimoy recounts his struggles with his famous father, Leonard, and with his own addictions in this compelling story of family and recovery. Leonard is best known for his portrayal of the unflinchingly logical but lovable Spock from the Star Trek franchise. In life, his son experienced a different person: a distant workaholic with demons to spare. Throughout the audiobook, Adam reflects on his determination not to follow the path of his formative years with his own family. As he tells stories about being a father and partner, his unwavering vulnerability is consistently heard in his delivery. His love for family, and the city of Los Angeles, where he grew up, are touching. S.P.C. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
    • Library Journal

      September 13, 2024

      Nimoy's second memoir traverses similar territory as his My Incredibly Wonderful, Miserable Life--his struggles with drug and alcohol use, his journey with AA, his divorce and new relationships, and his difficulty in relating to his father, the actor Leonard Nimoy. Nimoy narrates his own work. Although he's certainly sincere, he is not a great orator and seems to have difficulty creating a relatable tone, and the monotonous descriptions of small arguments with his children, ex-wife, and parents wear thin. The memoir's most interesting moments involve his father, which are few and far between after the first several chapters. In some ways, adding Leonard Nimoy's name to the subtitle feels like a way to bring in Star Trek fans rather than a descriptor of what's to come. Even so, Nimoy's account of his experiences in AA is admirable, and his moments of struggle and victory may be a comfort to those considering their own recovery. VERDICT Libraries may wish to buy the print copy for bibliotherapy collections centered on substance-use disorder and AA, but the audiobook is strictly optional purchase.--Lauren Sullivan

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

subjects

Languages

  • English

Loading
Check Out What's Being Checked Out Right Now