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The Bassoon King
- My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy
- Narrated by: Rainn Wilson
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
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The Bassoon King
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Publisher's Summary
Rainn Wilson’s memoir about growing up geeky and finally finding his place in comedy, faith, and life.
For nine seasons Rainn Wilson played Dwight Schrute, everyone's favorite work nemesis and beet farmer. Viewers of The Office fell in love with the character and grew to love the actor who played him even more. Rainn founded a website and media company, SoulPancake, that eventually became a best-selling book of the same name. He also started a hilarious Twitter feed (sample tweet: “I'm not on Facebook” is the new “I don't even own a TV”) that now has more than four million followers.
Now, he's ready to tell his own story and explain how he came up with his incredibly unique sense of humor and perspective on life. He explains how he grew up “bone-numbingly nerdy before there was even a modicum of cool attached to the word”. The Bassoon King chronicles his journey from nerd to drama geek (“the highest rung on the vast, pimply ladder of high school losers”), his years of mild debauchery and struggles as a young actor in New York, his many adventures and insights about The Office, and finally, Wilson's achievement of success and satisfaction, both in his career and spiritually, reconnecting with the artistic and creative values of the Bahá’í faith he grew up in.
Critic Reviews
"Rainn Wilson narrates his own story with such perfection that the only disappointment is the fact that it ends. The memoir is smart, inspirational, and funny, so the addition of Wilson's performance adds delectable icing to a tasty cake." (AudioFile)
"Quirky, witty, literate." (Washington Post)
"Rainn Wilson's memoir captures essence of his offbeat humor." (Chicago Sun-Times)
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What listeners say about The Bassoon King
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- anshul kumar rai
- 14-06-19
Interesting peek inside the man behind Dwight!
I am a huge 'The Office' fan and I love the character of Dwight Schrute played by Rainn Wilson. So when I found this audio book where Rainn Wilson narrates his own life, I purchased it instantly!
If you are not into 'The Office' or not a follower of the 'Soulpancake', it is highly unlikely the that you would like to know about Rainn Wilson.
Rainn knows that many people will pick this book because of his Dwight character, and he makes sure that his book is filled with Dwight references. In fact he has completely dedicated couple of chapters to 'The Office', which I thoroughly enjoyed.
He did live a very interesting life, and he has narrated it well. Besides his struggles to become an actor, this book deals with spirituality in great length. Right from the first line to the last line of the book, Rainn takes you on a spiritual quest; often dealing with the dreaded question 'what really matters in life'. I was a bit apprehensive of 'almost' advertisement of his faith, Bahai religion, in some portions of the book. But to be fair, Rainn made it clear in the first page itself that he is devoted to his religion and it will be covered in good portion of the book. Also, Rainn is clearly well read about all the major religions of the world, so that adds to his credibility.
I was more interested in knowing about Rainn Wilson, the actor; and he does not disappoint. Pages are filled with his interesting episodes of his acting life, his approach to acting, his dedication to the art.
One thing that may put off some of the listeners of this book(with no actual fault of the book or the narrator/author), is the tons and tons of reference to American pop culture. A non american person , like me, who is totally unaware of the American cultural scene in the 70s, 80s and the 90s will find himself/herself lost at multiple times listening this book. Again, not a fault of the book. One other thing that may bother a bit is some odd back and forth timeline jumps in the story.
Overall, this book is definitely worth listening if you are aware of Rainn's works and want to know more about his life. If your are not aware of his work, you may still find this book interesting if you want to listen something related to an actor's life and some great thoughts of spirituality in the modern world.
My review might sound like this book is serious or boring, but believe me, it is anything but boring. Rainn had a not so ordinary life, and he narrates the same in his captivating and entertaining 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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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dragoon Rushier
- 03-05-20
fabulous performance
a humble and masterful memoir by the surprisingly erudite and spiritual TV star Dwight Schrute
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Johanna
- 13-11-15
Exquisite narration!
Rainn Wilson is an awesome narrator. You will get the most out of this book by listening to him read it rather than reading it yourself.
I enjoyed Wilson's prose and storytelling. Likewise, he has a unique way of defining spirituality and happiness that is beautiful and understandable--not creepy or weird at all.
I did find a few parts of the book to be somewhat tedious, but overall it's very well written.
As a side note, this book has absolutely nothing to do with the bassoon besides a few funny quips. If you're also a bassoon player like me, let's face it, you're probably going to get this book for Christmas. Luckily, it's worth reading, although Wilson's unfortunate bassoon experience doesn't accurately reflect the joy that I encounter daily from my bassoon students. I suppose any publicity is good publicity, right?
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40 people 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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Story5 out of 5 stars
- kindle
- 22-01-16
Wonderful
I admit to being a reader and not a TV watcher. I did not have a clue about Rainn Wilson. The reviews were good so I decided to give this book a listen. I am now a big fan of Mr Wilson. Wise, intelligent, spiritual, caring, interesting, very handsome ( I am sure) and of course sooooo very funny. I might even have to hunt down some of the Office series to see what I missed.
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25 people 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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Story5 out of 5 stars
- E F
- 12-11-15
A poignant, hilarious and sweet story!
Rainn Wilson gives us a well written and hilarious story of his childhood, moves on to his training as an actor, and finally his adulthood where he finds stardom on TV. You will get to hear about the office, but you also get to hear about him as a high school nerd and his belief in God. You can tell how he gives the character of Dwight (in "The Office") such depth, because he has the background in his life to understand how to play him. While parts of the character Dwight are completely ridiculous, you can see a very sad and real person underneath, which is part of what made him so funny. If you liked Dwight, you will love listening to the man brought him to life. Even if you didn't like the Office, there is a lot to like in this book!
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21 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- John
- 06-12-15
wanted it to be better...
There were definitely parts that were what I expected (actually, I don't know what I expected) but other parts were just WAY too preachy. I appreciate the adherence to faith and the desire to extol its virtues and while I agree with the sentiment I just wanted it to be a little more about his relationships with people I would actually know and a little less artsy fartsy. But, it is a memoir so to each his own.
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12 people 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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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Shakespeare Fan
- 23-01-16
Yes, you'll love it.
Anyone who is: a fan of The Office, a nerd, an actor who has struggled with rejection, an artist who struggles with her faith, a lover of punk rock, a person who likes well written and honest biographies, a believer in love and God, or self conscious of his overly large head should absolutely read The Bassoon King by Rainn Wilson. (Actually, listen to it and hear his voice through his actual voice.) I loved every second of it.
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10 people 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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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Daniel E
- 09-02-16
Read this book, idiot.
As an avid fan of NBC's Colt classic hit the office, and a casual dabbler and soul pancake, I was delighted and inspired by Wilson's book the Bassoon King. It will take the same single moment to at once inspire you, intrigue you and have you bursting out in unexpected laughter. TBK gave me a much deeper appreciation of Wilson's acting work, which made me love the characters he brought to life even more. Finally, I was profoundly touched by the fervent and refreshing spirituality in every section. Wilson finds a charming way to be both cosmically wise and wittingly down to earth. Highly recommend.
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9 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Veronica Van Gogh
- 18-04-16
Good Job.
Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?
Nope. Even so he tells a good story, it ended up being a disappointment because at the end of the day, he's just like every other narcissist. And that's boring.
What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)
Hated it. It was a plug for his religion. I wish his editor had talked him out of that.
What about Rainn Wilson’s performance did you like?
His diction. His honesty. His vulnerability. I could do without the arrogance. Who is he to tell the world that everything on Wikipedia is just WRONG?
Was The Bassoon King worth the listening time?
That's a tough question to answer. There were parts of his story that were interesting. He's had a good life and appreciates his good fortune. It feels like he wrote this because he is trying to prove himself and tell the world that he got a Real Education. I don't really care about that. At the end of the day, is he a guy that I want to work with or watch?
Any additional comments?
I liked him at the beginning of the book, and by Chapter 14 I couldn't stand him. It felt like a marketing piece for Soul Pancake. This kind of detour is beyond insulting to the reader/listener. Rainn is so intelligent and I wish he had not taken the book in this direction.
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7 people 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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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Manuela
- 23-02-16
Excellent and funny
I have been a big Rainn fan since I started watching the office and more so with Soulpancake. This is an excellent memoir where he gives all of the ups and downs of his life while making them all laugh out loud funny (I got of odd looks while listening to this one.). He does speak of his time on The Office and the inspiration to Dwight near the end of the book but the story is about his development and finding himself. Biographies are my favorite stories and this one doesn't disappoint.
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7 people 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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Story5 out of 5 stars
- RaNae
- 18-02-16
If you have an open heart and mind you will enjoy this book
I appreciate Rainn for sharing his life and faith. I learned that he is very intellectual, I am not sure why that surprised me, but I am grateful to have a better understanding of him and his religion. I can identify with some of the things that happened in his past but he never allowed his geeky awareness, bullying and hard times to stop him from achieving his dream. He was so lucky (and we are to) to have been told that he could be could be successful and always remember it with all the hard times he had. I didn't watch the Office, I guess because I worked in one all day I didn't want to watch it in my free time. After listening to this book, I think I will catch it on Netflix. I did love Backstrom and wish it was not canceled. Awesome insight into an incredible man and human being.
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7 people 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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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Bunny Mama
- 23-02-16
Interesting and Touching
I don't typically read biographies or autobiographies, but I've always felt that Rainn Wilson and I are kindred spirits, so I thought I would give this one a try. I'm glad I did. It is funny, heart-warming, insightful, and inspirational. I love that Rainn narrated the book himself, and he did an exceptional job. I learned a lot, and my belief that we are kindred spirits was confirmed!
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5 people 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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Story5 out of 5 stars
- bibliophile89
- 24-10-23
Good to hear his backstory
I feel like i knew little about the author before but this was such an insight into his background and rise to fame.
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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
- David I H
- 24-08-23
Reframing spirituality stereotypes
Wilson reframes and challenges the tripe and mis-interpretations perpetuated about spirituality in today’s western culture. His pure honesty about his own short comings (along with overcoming them) provides a refreshing take on what it means to be human- a good human. 10/10 absolutely loved!
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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
- Mrs. J. Norman
- 16-06-23
Wonderful
So lovely to “get to know” Rainn Wilson as a person - and what an absolutely lovely person he is too.
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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
- Michael Knuckey
- 25-05-23
Thoroughly enjoyed this
Great book, lots of funny and heartfelt moments, rainn is a wonderful narrator. Would recommend
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Rhys
- 01-03-23
Not for office fans
If your hoping for lots of stories about the office then don’t read this book. He only mentions it briefly. However overall it is a good read as he is interesting and funny
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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
- Anonymous User
- 11-02-23
Yes!
Yes to this book! All of it! I came for Dwight. I left with Rainn. Very happily so too! Listen to it! Now! :)
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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
- stephanie
- 28-01-23
Why not!!!
Simple answer is I laughed out loud many times , contemplated my own life and learned a lot .. I’ve listened to it about 5 times start to finish its absolutely brilliant thanks again rainn👍🙏
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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
- Lourdes
- 22-12-21
Wonderful!
I wish it lasted forever. I felt the struggle and joy of being Rain Wilson. Fantastic.
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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
- Samantha Kinnear
- 03-05-21
a must read!
I am a bigger fan now than I was before listening - and that's saying something!
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Steve Smith
- 06-01-21
Steve
Well performed, but virtually nothing about the Office and let’s be honest, that’s all I can for. Then evolves into a religious sermon harping on about the righteousness of his own religion. No thanks.
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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
- Wendy Hertog
- 30-09-23
fabulous
wish it didn't end, covers so much. so insightful and unexpected gems of knowledge. bravo rainn.
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Overall2 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Benjamin
- 29-06-23
Terrible
boring, unimaginative, unfunny.
he's an actor trying to be a comedian.
more words more
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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
- Anonymous User
- 28-12-22
Classic Rainn
So eloquently written, well spoken and irreverently relevant, love the vulnerability and the way he shares the pain and triumphs of his journey in equal part hilarity and abandon. Highly recommend.
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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
- William Louisisbh
- 26-06-22
Excellent !
love this book ! Very interesting stories, good reading, enjoy this book. I will give 5 stars.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance3 out of 5 stars
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Story2 out of 5 stars
- Jessica Smith
- 23-01-22
A bit of a hard listen.
While I love Rainn Wilson's acting and characters but I found this book to be a mix of pretentiousness, oddly paced and moments of humour that weren't quite delivered right. There was some strong messages and interesting anecdotes about the life of a struggling actor coming into his own which I enjoyed. However there is a lot of unnecessary jumping around story-wise which left me lost and frustrated at times. And even though I'm sure he got her permission the amount of detail he goes into about his wife's private moments during pregnancy and giving birth was just uncomfortable. There is really only a chapter about his time working on the Office which is a let down for Office fans listening to this book. It's tricky because I definitely liked and respected parts of this book but hated others.
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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
- Mr. Dimitar Petreski
- 13-09-21
Fantastic, interesting and insightful
Loved every minute of Rainn’s autobiography- such a full, challenging and interesting life.
Highly recommend.
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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
- Jake
- 15-03-21
a great book!
I love Rainn and wanted to hear his story, and I couldn't be more satisfied, funny, charming and insightful...ps. Mindy Kaling eww
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