Ethan Hawke has been nominated several times for Academy Awards, in screenwriting and acting. His knowledge of New York theatre gives this novel a riveting authenticity.

William is a well-known film star making his Broadway debut in Shakespeare’s Henry IV while his marriage collapses dramatically after he cheated on his famous rock star wife. The media and public shame him as he struggles to nobly portray the character of Hotspur while his whole being is in agony thinking of his loss of family but still hoping for reconciliation. He tries whisky, cocaine and sex for an answer.

Another famous actor, bored and disillusioned with his pointless life and fame, delivers a philosophical tirade to William on the Gender War and the ‘nothingness’ of awards. He advises him to let his wife go. The vividly drawn conflict within William is painful if it’s your own experience. But it makes William aware of the emotion driving Hotspur so he can portray him passionately.

I was gripped by Hawke’s humorous and sensitive description of backstage action and dialogue. He is able to conjure compassion for so many complex characters with varied personalities who give William advice for his acting and his marriage. These conversations sometimes contain long monologues from the advice-givers and could become tedious only for the balance of action and philosophy, like the Shakespearean drama.

The King, played by Ezekial, his dressing room mate, shares what acting does for him – ‘to be free of all the illusions and distractions and live in the lucid present’. I will not easily forget this book.

Reviewed by Judith Grace