Rating- 8/10
I know what your thinking, this can't be 'THE' Ethan Hawke, as in the actor Ethan Hawke. Well peeps, it actually is. Apparently he does a whole lot more than acting, who knew?!
So I asked my buddy Ross if he knows of any good books for my next read. He told me he'd lend me one of his favourite books, I assumed he would give me 'Mike Tyson, The Biography' which is what he was reading at the moment. Boy was I wrong! To my surprise, Ross, my Scottish buddy, brings me this little green retro looking book and it wasn't what I was expecting to get at all! You did good Ross, you did good.
Ethan Hawke writes this little book about how to to behave as a knight, it's set in 1400s, in the olden days where knights were seen as these amazing sort of 'good guys'. It's a book on how to be a knight and lessons that you should follow in order for you to have a fulfilling and well lived life. Hawke portrays himself as a knight in the book who is preparing for his 'final' battle, he writes a letter to his four children (he actually has 4 kids in real life) on how to behave in order to be a great knight/lady in those times, set in a 20 rules format. Hence the title, 'Rules for a Knight'. Each chapter of rules, goes into detail of what is noble to do or not do in life in order to attain a moral and well lived life.
For example; Rule no. 2-
Humility: 'Never announce that you are a knight, simply behave as one. You are better than no one, and no one is better than you.'
Some of the rules are actually written very beautifully, in a poetic way. They include all sorts of lessons like Gratitude, Friendship, Forgiveness, Honesty, Patience, plus many more. In each chapter, there are guidelines on how to achieve each lesson and they all come with these heart warming little stories. One of my favourite lines in the book has to be from the 'Discipline' chapter;
'Often we imagine that we will work hard until we arrive at some distant goal, and then we will be happy. This is a delusion. Happiness is the result of a life lived with purpose. Happiness is not objective. It is the movement of life itself, a process, and an activity. It arises from curiosity and discovery.'
This is actually quite a philosophical book and really makes you think and wonder about how your living your own life, what you can do to better improve it and to be more present in it.
It's a very easy book to read, I liked the layout of the book and the various little stories and lessons in it. It's one of those books that you would really want to own in your personal library (and I never keep books- too much clutter), and also a great parenting book too! It would be a great read for children growing up to learn valuable life lessons in a fun way, it could also encourage deep discussions on the values of life. It's definitely the kind of book that would get passed down from generation to generation. Such a great find. Also, fun fact! Ethan Hawke's wife does all the little illustrations in the book, so sweet :) all in all, I loved it. Thank you Ross, for bringing this little gem of a book into my life.
It's a heart warming and uplifting read and would make for a great gift too.
Defo get yours HERE on Amazon Books peeps.