Baggage cover art

Baggage

Tales from a Fully Packed Life

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Baggage

By: Alan Cumming
Narrated by: Alan Cumming
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Summary

‘No one ever fully recovers from their past. There is no cure for it. You just learn to manage and prioritise it. I believe the second you feel you have triumphed or overcome something, anything – an abuse, an injury to the body or the mind, an addiction, a character flaw, a habit, a person – you have merely decided to stop being vigilant and embraced denial as your modus operandi. And that is what this book is about, and for: to remind you not to buy in to the Hollywood ending.’

Baggage chronicles the actor’s life in Hollywood and the ways in which work has repeatedly whisked him away from personal calamities to sets and stages around the world. Taking us through the highs and lows of his career, his struggle with mental health, each failed relationship or encounter with a legend (Liza! X-Men! Gore Vidal! Kubrick! Spice Girls!), every bad decision or moment of sensual joy, Cumming shows how every experience – good or bad – has shaped who he is today: a happy, flawed, vulnerable, fearless middle-aged man, with a lot of baggage. Startlingly honest, both poignant and joyous, Baggage shines a light on how to embrace the complicated messiness of life.

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Critic Reviews

"An intimate look at the making of a man, an actor, an advocate and – most importantly – a happy human being. Cumming is a natural raconteur, and this feels like a private conversation between the author and the reader. A wonderful book that is funny, honest, fearless and generous in its vulnerability" (DOUGLAS STUART)
"Everything that makes Alan Cumming so engaging as a person and a performer – his cleverness, kindness, charm, wildness and, above all, authenticity – shines from every page of this wonderful, witty and wise book" (NIGELLA LAWSON)
"A brilliantly gossipy memoir"
"It seems fundamentally unfair that Alan Cumming is, in addition to being a fine actor and a wicked performer, such a hell of a good writer. But he is. He's observant, honest, often trenchantly funny, always emotionally honest. He's an international treasure" (NEIL GAIMAN)
"To read Baggage is to spend time with the most engaging companion in the world. Charm, wit, insight, entrancingly disarming self-knowledge, hilarious stories by the basketful, Alan Cumming’s attributes are endlessly enriching and enchanting. Only one negative, I just hated to see the right-hand page count, the pages yet to be read, thinning down and reminding me, like a tolling bell, that this joyous ride was coming to an end" (STEPHEN FRY)
"Alan Cumming’s star quality belies a man and a writer of substance, who unpacks his life in this powerful memoir"
"Reading his books, you sense that Cumming can scarcely walk down the street without drama or incident . . . His stories flit between dinner party anecdote, Hollywood gossip and personal tragedy, switching tempo effortlessly"
"I could not love this man or this book more. Alan writes with such unvarnished truth and a humour that can only come from a brilliant mind, rapier wit and resilience from emotionally painful life experiences. This book – like Alan is off the page – is full of insight, compassion, intellect and wisdom. This is the best Baggage to have" (MONICA LEWINSKY)
"A wonderfully entertaining book about [Cumming's] adventures in Hollywood that follows up the powerful Not My Father's Son"
"Deliciously candid"
All stars
Most relevant
Nothing it was well written and narrated in Alans lovely Scottish accent just like my mum’s.

How Alan rose above a truly awful upbringing!

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I didn’t think I could admire and adore this human any more than I already did before reading (listening to!) this book! But here we are. What a life. There’s something very empowering listening to a life story of someone going through the ups and downs and coming out on top, living life as their authentic self. How many can say that, honestly.

Mesmerising

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He is indeed a butterfly but such a delightful one. Well worth the listen. Highly recommended!

An honest and delightful account of a wonderful life.

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