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The Actor

By: Chris MacDonald
Narrated by: Chris MacDonald
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

TO ACHIEVE GREATNESS, HE MUST SACRIFICE EVERYTHING...

A story of glamour, secrets and obsession...

At long last, Adam Sealey has an Oscar within reach. Working with his controversial former mentor, Jonathan, he's given the performance of a lifetime, and he almost believes it might be worth the cost.

Because Adam subscribes to "the method". It's the secret that the world's greatest actors swear by - digging into their darkest, most personal traumas to bring a role to life.

And Adam's greatest trauma is worse than most. Losing his mother when he was just a boy. A forced choice between the success he craved and the girl he loved. And that night back in drama school, the night of Adam's darkest secret, when everyone knows about the dead body, but nobody suspects the truth.

And then he gets a message: someone knows. And if they tell, everything Adam's worked for will come crashing down.

©2024 Chris MacDonald (P)2024 Penguin Audio
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Critic reviews

This compelling psychological thriller set in the acting world is both uncompromising and unsettling, with deeply layered characters and a narrative voice that grabs you from the opening line and won’t let you go. Fascinating. (Alex Michaelides)
The Actor is both a compulsive thriller and a fascinating insight into the world of method acting. Chris MacDonald's writing captures it all, and beautifully: from the glamour of Hollywood to the grunge of 90s Camden. It's also very, very moving, packed with characters both lovable and entirely detestable. I adored it. (Abigail Dean)
Ego and ambition, guilt and redemption collide in this masterfully plotted and beautifully written psychological thriller. I couldn’t tear my eyes from the page. (Erin Kelly)

What listeners say about The Actor

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Original, insightful and engaging

There is so much to love about this book. On the surface level, it is gripping and keeps you constantly engaged. Its originality, subtlety and the quality of the writing does though mean it avoids the pitfalls of other books in the genre. On a deeper level it has so much to say - and importantly question - regarding power, masculinity and identity.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Psychology of characterisation and the superb writing.

Excellent characterisation.
The author is clearly interested in people and psychology.
Beautifully written.
Engaging++.
Dark and thoughtful yet compelling.
Despite my disdain for many of the characters’ behaviours it’s difficult not to empathise with their failings and humanity.
I dislike what some of them do without disliking them.
It’s a lot like life.
Very entertaining and thought provoking whilst giving an insight into the mind of creative acting and a tutorial of sorts on Hamlet.
Loved it!

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Passes the time

Interesting commentary on drama schools and pretensions on technique, method acting. The thriller element was underwhelming and by the time we got to the big reveal I couldn't care whodunit and just wanted it to end.

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Very disappointed

Nothing happens just a lot of main character tortured soul nonsense. A waste of a download. Four hours left I give up

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