I don’t remember why exactly I picked up this book on Audible. It might have been a review I heard on NPR that first got me interested. I had neglected my growing collection of Audible books while working from home during the pandemic because I mostly listened to Audible on my work commute. I eventually decided to start this book on a long bus ride to New York, and it instantly drew me in.
In the late 90s, when I was away at college, I came across reruns of Babylon 5 on the local TV Station. It was science fiction, so that naturally drew me in. But as I completed five seasons, I was left with a realization that I had watched something groundbreaking and unique. I couldn’t explain it then but later realized that no other TV show had attempted a multi-season story arc. Babylon 5 wasn’t a show you could jump into midway like Star Trek.
In my opinion, this book has two recurring themes.
- The first one describes the tumultuous relationship between the author and his family - his father in particular.
- The second theme is about having integrity and persistence in following your passions.
His Father
Most stories establish facts before the main narrative. This autobiography has lots of them - lots of uncomfortable truths. Straczynski’s father’s actions and behaviors throughout his life are both inexcusable and irreprehensible. The climax of this book (in my opinion) is when the whole truth of his father’s horrible secret is finally revealed. As painful as these are to read or listen, they all play an essential part in shaping Stracyzinksi’s trajectory in life.
Integrity and Passion in Writing
I was unaware that Straczynski had such an expansive and accomplished career before and after Babylon 5. For example, I didn’t know that he had written for He-man, She-ra, Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future, Murder She Wrote, to name a few. I also didn’t know that he had pivoted from journalism into television writing into comics and later into film screenplays. Straczynski had been successful in re-inventing his writing career many times.
In the 80s and 90s, despite opposition from TV censorship boards and studio executives, he strove to develop authentic characters and storylines. When he could no longer do this, he walked away from projects and kept his integrity intact.
The epilogue in this book is very moving, and the following quote stood out to me -
And one of the most important things that I believe is that if we love something and have even an inch of aptitude, we can become successful at it cause our love for the work will sustain us through the hard times required to get good enough at it to earn a living. It may not be the best possible living ... but wouldn’t you rather make a thin living doing what you love than a slightly better living doing what you hate.