Sean Astin Books

There and Back Again is a book you will either love or hate.

You will love it if:
1. You are a Sean Astin fan, or if you are interested in the actor and his life beyond the LOTR experience.
2. You are aware that this is an autobiography, where it is natural for the author to talk mainly about himself.
3. You can appreciate ultimate honesty, especially from someone who has every reason not to be honest.
4. You are able to read between the lines and see that Sean Astin is actually a good guy.

You will hate it if:
1. You are interested solely in the making of the LOTR trilogy.
2. You expect an objective account of the making of the LOTR trilogy.
3. You are offended by a strong word here and there (to me the language is not really offensive, but well, I'm European).

After reading this book, I feel like I know Sean Astin. He describes the events and his emotions so vividly I could almost feel his joy and pain, both closely intertwined throughout the book. About the most debated issue, my conclusion is that it is not Sean's intention to belittle his co-actors, but is just bluntly honest about the feelings he had during the filming, even though he is often ashamed of them and regrets them. Sean is human, with his share of shortcomings, but also a good deal of positive traits. Writing this book was a kind of psychotherapy for him and publishing it was a courageous decision, but I'm glad he did it. In just over 300 pages he slowly but steadily grows on you.

The only thing slightly wrong with the book is the title, which gives a misleading message what this book is about. It probably attracted many young LOTR fans, whereas this is not a book for children.

I absolutely loved this book. I liked the story as well as Sean's way of expressing himself. I vote for a sequel, if not before, a good oportunity would be when Sean wins an Oscar (which he is more than capable of). I'm really interested to read how the story goes on!

About the audio version:

I listened to the 4 CDs after reading the book. The audio version is abridged, and logically, the LOTR parts are kept, which means that many sections describing Sean's personal life are gone. This is good news for LOTR fans who are mainly interested in the films. However, to me it felt as if the book was stripped of its flavor.

What I like in the audio version is Sean's sweet voice, but it should be stresses that he is merely reading the book, not acting it (except for a couple of short Sam speeches from the films, which are of course not as well delivered as in the films, but the listener gets an idea). Listening to his reading made me think it must be hard to read your own autobiography aloud. Especially one as honest as this.

Sean's book is such an interesting and moving narrative. A frank and charming story behind the actor's involvement in filming of The Lord of the Rings, and also an interesting account of his private life and impressions, and understandings. All told in Sean's sweet voice. You don't want to miss this one, believe me!

After thoroughtly enjoying The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and while taking a second look...(a read of all the good Tolkein books) a secind play of the extended versions, including all the commentaires what a nice find this is, something coming from one if the cast members...a very human telling; something like sitting down at the local Shire Hobbit Pub there and having abit of a good go over chat with the son of the Old Gaffer himself ...SO, all you critics take the weight off, put up a good mug and perhaps even a pipe if one be so inclined and enjoy. And if one o'there them Hobbits ever wats ta have a good chat well then go on and give a a knock on the internet door.

I don't have to much time so i'll make this short.
Not just is Sean Astin a great actor ( yes, he is i think. ) but he is a great entertainer and most of all narrator!

If you have listened to the Cast Audio Comment on the LotR Parts you'll probably already have realized this. I think i can say it's a real pleasure to listen to him remembering so many details so many anecdotes from the film making process. ( Of course the other actors are great story tellers too ;) )

This Audiobook isn't just entertaining but also aducating in terms of the process of filmmaking, film history etc.
You realise that Mr. Astin is a guy who really knows film, quoting on many films, giving examples of the industry behind the magic and just simply giving people who are not in the film industy a look insight.

He does that in a way that offers unequaled. The honesty, the love for detail, the commitment makes you enthusiastic. It is this very enthusiasm, this power from the actors which was one of the most important reasons why lotr became such e great epic masterpiece i think. And not at least why pete ( jackson ) picked him for the role of sam.

It is this very "new zealandish" "can do" approach to films as some may call it. It is true, honest and commited film making and just the love for film itself.

By having written this book Mr. Sean Astin didn't just report about an actor's life but much more created a really entertaining wonderfull documentary about the process of making lotr and gives you a great look insight filmmaking in general.

Furthermore i am very pleased to see THAT the lotr continues in form of various media; book, audiobook, internet sites etc.
I don't think - as some people do - it is sheer money making - but much more keeping such a masterpiece as lotr alive - be it books by the actors, be it documentarys, be it extra dvd's etc.

Lord of the Rings shell live on and on - in the hearts and minds of the people.


I want to comment on the critics on Mr. Astin:
Apparently there are some people who think of him as an 'arrogant, selfish, other poeple interupting' person. As they source they name the LotR Audio commentary. ( Which is insufficient to rate a person )

I don't hink he is arrogant at all - he's much more enthusiastic and really infects other people with his passion.
If he interrupts other people on the Audio Commentary than it is ridicolous to imply he's a arrogant person. He's much more the enthusiastic little boy who loves films if you want so.
And that's a good thing.

As a serious Lord of the Rings fan (both of the books and the films), I eagerly picked up this book by Sean Astin to gain some insight into the filming of the magnificent trilogy. Unfortunately, the actual stories of the movies are few and far between, while we get an overabundance of Sean's observations in a repetitive manner. And while there are some redeeming things about this book, I have to admit that at times I nearly put it down because frankly, I felt like I'd been there, and back, before.

Sean Astin is indeed a gifted actor, and at times his fun personality shines through the writing. It is great fun reading about the little conversations between the actors, and how the filming progressed and changed over time. Sean gives a good view of Peter Jackson's vision, and he is nothing but fair in describing his relationships with his fellow actors. Unfortunately, at times he is over-reaching in his need to show how he really, really, really does have respect for his friends; he says something negative and then spends the next five paragraphs explaining why it's not necessarily true. Sean also spends a good deal of time overanalyzing himself, though this is probably a by-product of his upbringing. A good editor might have helped Sean stay on subject over the course of a few pages and would have added cohesiveness to the story.

True fans of the Lord of the Rings will enjoy this book, and I did. The photos and tales of the filming are indeed a joy, and you do feel as though you are there amid the cast and crew. But the casual reader hoping to increase his/her knowledge of this fantastic cinematic journey will come away disappointed, and even fans may have a hard time pushing through Sean's neuroses. Overall, I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it.