There’s something about celebrity memoirs. The audience is usually very select; you really have to be a fan to pick up such a book. Sir Anthony Hopkins, who is now 87, looks back on his long, fruitful and somewhat troubled career in WE DID OK, KID.

Like many who rise to fame, the Welsh-born actor came from humble beginnings. His parents ran a bakery, and while his childhood could not be considered abusive, he does write at length about an almost indifferent treatment from his parents. His father, especially, considered him to be slow and unmotivated, and he wondered what would become of him. It created an uninterested attitude in the boy as a protective device. Just go with the flow, he thought. Don’t argue, don’t show emotion. This persisted during his school years where most of his teachers agreed with his parents’ assessment.

"In one of his most unlikely appearances, Hopkins played the title role in Nixon. It is in these later years that he has come to some sort of peace and self-acceptance. So looking back, the idea that 'we did okay' is a bit of an understatement."

In memoirs like this, there is always an “aha moment” that sets up the course of the author’s life work. For Hopkins, that occurred when he saw an amateur theater production at a local YMCA and decided on the spot that he wanted to be an actor. Even then, his attitude seemed to indicate little that would lead anyone to believe the success he would achieve.

The majority of the book deals --- almost fleetingly --- with Hopkins’ progress on the stage and screen. Most of those chapters consider what a mental health professional might describe as depression. Far be it from me to analyze Hopkins’ behavior, which at times bordered on the self-destructive. He was an alcoholic for a good portion of his working life. He was married three times, the first two unions ending in divorce from spouses who eventually could not deal with his personal ups and down (there is no mention of his alcoholism affecting his work in any negative way).

There is much unhappiness --- between the booze, failed marriages and estrangement from his only child --- and frequent thoughts of death. This element almost serves as an excuse not to try too hard or get overly enthusiastic about anything since nothing lasts.

The final third of the book is a frenzy as Hopkins seeks to include and account for the major acting roles that propelled him to fame (as well as a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth), including Oscars for his roles in The Silence of the Lambs and The Father. He is also well-known for such movies as Howard’s End, The Remains of the Day, The Elephant Man and Legends of the Fall.

In one of his most unlikely appearances, Hopkins played the title role in Nixon. It is in these later years that he has come to some sort of peace and self-acceptance. So looking back, the idea that “we did okay” is a bit of an understatement.