I bought this for my husband for Christmas, and I think it's the fastest I've ever seen him read a book. So when I said he could pick my next book, of course he chose this! I can't say that I'm as invested in the Karate Kid/Cobra Kai franchise as he is (if it's on the telly, he's watching it), but I do understand his fondness and so was happy to pick this up for myself.

This book isn't a traditional autobiography - it's nit about the author's life as a whole or him telling stories about where he's been and who he's met. As the title would suggest, it is specifically rooted in his role as Daniel LaRusso, the Karate Kid, the friendships he's made because of those films and the lessons the role has taught him. In short, it's a love letter to his alter ego. It should be hideously overbearing, but it's actually a really insightful read.

The writing style is very informal; it's like you've sat down with the author for a beer or three and he's reminiscing about the role that made him perpetually famous. There are no moments that make you think he's just blowing his own trumpet or making himself look good; it all comes across as very down to earth and honest. His confidence that he's got the part weeks before actually receiving confirmation is rooted in tangible comments, not just an overinflated ego, so even when it does come across as his fate being written in the stars, you get why he could think that!

It's very lighthearted and considers his time on the films and subsequently being shouldered with the mantle of LaRusso with great fondness. While there are moments of doubt and regrets, these too are dealt with in a very positive way - he does come across as a proper ray of sunshine, a gentleman and a genuinely nice guy. He really has absorbed the character of his most famous role into his own personality. He also pays touching tribute to those no longer here, especially Mr Miyagi himself, Pat Morita. 

He does have an actor's tendency to refer to his co-stars as his 'family', even when he admits that he did not maintain contact with most of them for a good 20 years or more. I don't know why I find this annoying, save for the fact that I don't get why actors make out that they stay best mates with every person from every film/show they've ever worked on. It's nice that he doesn't do this, but why then continue to refer to them as if you were as close as siblings? My only other bugbear is that he uses variations of the refrain 'keep reading and I'll come back to that' on multiple occasions throughout the book. While this does keep the conversation feel flowing, these could have been edited out without much difficulty.

There is a lot about the making of the films in here, but equally it's just an overview, so don't expect massive set secrets or spoilers to come hurtling out. It is purely the author's reflections on his own personal involvement in a life changing project. It's amazing to see how he's kept the love for the character and franchise, and even how he engages with the fan theories in a jovial and polite manner, while staunchly defending Daniel-san's actions and reputation.

Overall, a very interesting read. Would recommend to anyone who has a love of these films like my husband does.