McConaughey exiled himself in the desert without electricity for fifty-two days while writing the book.[5]Greenlights originated from diaries and journals McConaughey began writing when he was fourteen years old.[6] McConaughey described the book as a collection of "stories, prayers, poems, people and places and a whole bunch of bumper stickers."[7] The book includes stories and insights from McConaughey's life in chronological order. It has been described as a memoir but McConaughey has called it an "approach book".[8]
Reception
The book was a major best-seller, debuting at number one on The New York Times nonfiction best-seller list for the week ending October 24, 2020.[9] As of February 2022, the book has spent 55 weeks on the list.[10]
Mark Athitakis of The Washington Post called McConaughey's poetry "cringeworthy" and criticized his wisdom for being unrelatable, calling the book "stuffed with vaporous, circular proverbs for would-be McConaugheys."[11] In their review, The Times of India wrote, "The writing is conversational and easy to read, though this is one book whose audiobook form is worth listening to. The actor/author reads it himself, with the correct inflections and even does voices. It's truly entertaining."[12] In an interview with McConaughey, Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson said that the book was "a collection of great stories".[13]
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