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The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece

Written by: Tom Hanks
Narrated by: Tom Hanks, Peter Gerety, Natalie Morales, Ego Nwodim, Nasim Pedrad, Connor Ratliff, Holland Taylor, Rita Wilson, full cast
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Publisher's Summary

From the legendary actor and best-selling author: a novel about the making of a star-studded, multimillion-dollar superhero action film...and the humble comic books that inspired it. Funny, touching, and wonderfully thought-provoking, while also capturing the changes in America and American culture since World War II.

"Wild, ambitious and exceptionally enjoyable."—Matt Haig, best-selling author The Midnight Library, The Humans and Reasons to Stay Alive

Part One of this story takes place in 1947. A troubled soldier, returning from the war, meets his talented five-year-old nephew, leaves an indelible impression, and then disappears for twenty-three years.

Cut to 1970: The nephew, now drawing underground comic books in Oakland, California, reconnects with his uncle and, remembering the comic book he saw when he was five, draws a new version with his uncle as a World War II fighting hero.

Cut to the present day: A commercially successful director discovers the 1970 comic book and decides to turn it into a contemporary superhero movie.

Cue the cast: We meet the film’s extremely difficult male star, his wonderful leading lady, the eccentric writer/director, the producer, the gofer production assistant, and everyone else on both sides of the camera.

Bonus material: Interspersed throughout are three comic books that are featured in the story—all created by Tom Hanks himself—including the comic book that becomes the official tie-in to this novel’s "major motion picture masterpiece."

*Includes a downloadable PDF of the comics from the book and a QR code for access to the original screenplay of Knightshade: The Lathe of Firefall

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Tom Hanks (P) 2023 Random House Audio
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What the critics say

"The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece is its own universe, complete with a sun, a cast of circling planets, and a limitless number of stars. Its gravity pulls you in and its far reaching, multi-layered, rollicking exuberance holds you in place. I would have been happy to live inside this book forever." —Ann Patchett, best-selling author of These Precious Days

"This is a wild, ambitious and exceptionally enjoyable novel. A story about how stories happen, with a swirling kaleidoscope of characters across the best part of a century, and a real beating emotional heart. It has a lot of astute and fascinating things to say about comic books, movies, show business, America and human beings. I loved every page." —Matt Haig; author The Midnight Library, The Humans and Reasons to Stay Alive

"An extravagant, buoyant, joyfully sprawling book, bursting with affection for its characters, for the intricate lore of the movie business, and for the many ways in which human beings are one another's greatest opportunity." —Tana French, award-winning novelist of In The Woods and The Searcher

What listeners say about The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece

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Just as good as a Tom Hanks movie.

I enjoyed the story so much I immediately listened to it again.
Well done!
Thanks Tom Hanks!

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  • Overall
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An all encompassing work of love.

The way this book goes about explaining the details involved in making a motion picture is perfect - it offers an interesting set of colourful characters that feel very real while also unfolding a narrative that drives home the magic that we have all felt about a great movie in our lives. I really appreciated the time taken to explain the seemingly mundane things like planning food for a revolving door of cast and crew. It took away the mystique of making a movie while somehow also making it even more surreal. By the end I was reminded of a Carl Sagan quote: if you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, one must first invent the universe.

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  • Overall
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Glad I didn't return it

Was about to return it as considered it slow in the beginning. Hearing it for a couple of hours and started visualizing the characters with the help of Tom Hanks powerful narration it was pure joy.

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great story

Wonderful story. The delivery pulled you in and made you listen. Thank you for this story.

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  • Overall
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The five year plans

I enjoyed listening to Tom Hanks read the story. It was a very a very original concept. Sometimes, especially in the first third of the book, the plot became a little confusing. But by the end of the book, I began to wonder if the story were true. I’m taking away the concept of the five year plan defined in the story as … dot dot dot

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Appreciation for Making a Movie Forever Changed

I will never watch a movie again without thinking of all the work it takes to make a motion picture master piece! The next time the credits scroll down the screen, I will take the time to note and appreciate the role everyone had in the making of the film.

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What can’t Mr Hanks do?

What a great story and narration by Mr Hanks, though, I could probably listen to him read the yogurt ingredient list.

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Excellent story & Loved the Audio version

Enjoy the characters and writing style of Tom Hanks. Spins a good yarn. His narration envelopes you into the story and carries you along.

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Really enjoyable

Loved the story and characters. Listening to Tom Hanks is the best. I enjoyed it.

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  • Overall
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Great choice for my first story audible book.

Loved this so much. And listening to it while I painted the house was fantastic. I even cried at the end. I am a big softie though.

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