Not everyone who can write a book should do so. This is especially true for celebrities. So are the novels by Keanu Reeves, Gillian Anderson, Ethan Hawke, Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie flops or must-reads?
Keanu Reeves ist Sci-Fi Author
Keanu Reeves is a real jack of all trades, he also plays in a band and has a motorcycle company. Now he has written a novel called “The Book Elsewhere” with the support of sci-fi author China Miéville.
This is what Keanu Reeves’ book is about:
Legends and rumors have always surrounded him: a warrior who cannot be killed. Today he is called ‘B’. And he wants nothing more than to be able to die.
‘B’ accepts an offer that promises to solve the mystery of his immortality. He finds himself caught in a web of intrigue and discovers a power that is even more mysterious than his own – and at least as strong. This power pursues its own goals.
We think it sounds a bit like Keanu Reeves was inspired by his hit films: “The Matrix” meets “John Wick”.
Stream “John Wick” directly here
Gillian Anderson’s feminist work
With “The X-Files,” Gillian Anderson became a feminist icon – whether she wanted to or not. The “Scully effect” is what happened to many girls and women when the sci-fi series was broadcast. In the show, Anderson plays the role of forensic doctor Dana Scully, who solves mysterious cases for the FBI.
After The X-Files aired, it was noticed that many more women were pursuing careers in science, math, engineering and computer science – which many attributed to the role of Scully, a successful woman in such a profession.
That’s how groundbreaking Dana Scully was in “The X-Files” – free on Joyn
This is what Gillian Anderson’s book is about:
Now it seems as if Gillian Anderson has taken the pioneering role again – but this time consciously and as a private person. For her first book, “WANT: Women’s Sexual Fantasies in the 21st Century,” she called on women to send her wishes anonymously – because these are still often seen as a reason for shame.
“I found it surprising that many women, even today, keep their fantasies to themselves. Some are strong, proud and self-confident and celebrate their sexual power, but many also feel shame and guilt because they long for satisfaction and fulfillment during sex.” explains the 56-year-old. Your book now aims to remove this shame.
Stephen Fry: Successfully established as an author
British actor Stephen Fry has achieved what many in this list aspire to: make a name for himself as an author. Many of his novel readers don’t even know that he also appears in films – his works are that good! He doesn’t need a celebrity bonus.
Fry has already written thirteen books, and now he likes to concentrate on his love of Greek mythology. But conventional novels are also in his repertoire, one of the best – in our opinion – being “Making History”, which was published in 1996.
This is what “Making History” is all about
In it, the young Cambridge historian Michael Young wonders what would have happened if Hitler had never existed. Young is fascinated by the Jewish physics professor Zuckermann, who has developed a machine that can send things through time. Their idea: to send a drug that causes infertility to Hitler’s time so that he would never be born. They make it to Braunau in 1888. But do they also manage to prevent the Holocaust?
Stephen Fry as actor: An Indian prodigy wants to make it into Cambridge
Hugh Laurie can do more than “House”
Like Keanu Reeves, Hugh Laurie apparently can’t just do one thing; he lives out his creativity outside of the film business as a successful musician, comedian and author. Fun Fact: He had a sketch comedy series with his colleague Stephen Fry!
This is what Hugh Laurie’s “The Arms Dealer” is about
But now to his skills as an author: His novel “The Arms Dealer” has a wide fan base and has also won over book critics, thanks to his biting humor, which runs through the thriller.
It’s about ex-Scots Guard Thomas Lang, the contract killer who doesn’t like cold-blooded murder. So when he’s supposed to kill an American industrialist, he warns his victim beforehand – but unfortunately this completely backfires and he suddenly has to prevent an international bloodbath.
By the way, Hugh Laurie’s role in “Catch 22”, a book adaptation of the anti-war novel of the same name, is no less humorous and absurd.
Hugh Laurie and George Clooney in one of the best mini-series of recent years
Ethan Hawke is writing a romance novel
Actor Ethan Hawke knows his way around love stories. After all, he plays the main role in one of the best love stories ever! We’re of course talking about him as Jesse in the “Before” film series, in which a couple is followed through three phases of their relationship in three films. Or how about the rom-com “Juliet, Naked” in which he plays a musician who falls in love with his toughest critic. Exactly – he knows his way around a good love story. And maybe that helped him write one himself.
It’s going to be romantic: Ethan Hawke’s great love films
This is what Ethan Hawke’s book is about:
In his debut novel “Hin und Weg” Hawke writes about electrifying first love. The 20-year-old actor William Harding meets Sarah in a bar – and falls head over heels in love with her. But love is not that easy and so William finds himself between fiery expectations, loving tenderness and deep insecurity. In three months he gets to know every facet of love.