May Meeting: We Did Ok, Kid by Anthony Hopkins

For our next selection, we’re reading We Did OK, Kid: A Memoir by Anthony Hopkins, a reflective and deeply personal memoir from one of the most iconic actors of our time. Known for unforgettable performances in films like The Silence of the Lambs and The Remains of the Day, Hopkins turns inward here, offering a candid look at the life behind the roles.

The book traces his journey from a difficult childhood in Wales through early struggles with identity, discipline, and alcoholism, to eventual global recognition and personal stability. Hopkins writes with a mix of humility and sharp self-awareness, often questioning his own motivations and the cost of ambition. Rather than presenting a polished narrative of success, he leans into uncertainty, regret, and the long process of making peace with oneself.

At its core, We Did OK, Kid is less about fame and more about resilience. It explores what it means to keep going in the face of self-doubt, to confront personal demons honestly, and to find meaning beyond external achievement. Thoughtful, at times raw, and often quietly humorous, this memoir invites reflection on identity, perseverance, and the complicated relationship we each have with our past.