Not My Father’s Son

Alan Cumming (The Good Wife, Cabaret) recounts his experiences with the UK version of the television series Who Do You Think You Are? in 2010 when on the eve of taping his father (who hadn’t spoken to him in 16 years) asks his older son to pass on a devastating secret. Meanwhile Alan is being introduced segment by segment to his mother’s father, who never returned home from World War II, as those secrets are exposed for the television show. The story is an emotional roller coaster, with tense childhood memories interspersed within the events of 2010. This is a haunting memoir of family and overcoming adversity through truth and honesty. Fans of Alan Cumming as well as fans of Finding Family by Richard Hill would all find something to like in this.