I was prompted to pick up this book from the neighborhood library after watching Andrew McCarthy at an event at a local bookstore about 2 weeks ago speaking about his latest book -- about a pilgrimage he and his son Sam made recently on foot along the 500 mile Camino de Santiago in Spain. McCarthy had during the Q&A session with the audience, briefly alluded to this book, which sheds considerable light on his early days as a popular young, Hollywood actor during the 1980s.

BRAT: An '80s Story is a book rich on revelations and reflections. As someone who is not far from Andrew McCarthy in age, I felt an instant connection to much of what he touched upon when discussing his experiences on the sets of movies like "Pretty in Pink", "St. Elmo's Fire" (which came out during my college days in 1985), and "Mannequin". Frankly, I had no idea how insecure McCarthy felt about the status he had at that time, and how he tried to escape from it through heavy alcohol and sporadic drug use. It was also fascinating to learn through him about the opening of doors to opportunities beckoning for those actors and actresses who, with a hit movie or two under his/her belt, become much sought after in the Hollywood firmament -- as well as the pitfalls that loom as threats to cinematic careers aborning. 

All I can say is: Thank you, Andrew McCarthy, for this wonderful, well-written book, which carried me back to the best decade of my life - the 1980s - when just about anything seemed possible to achieve for the 20-something I was then.