Hollywood star, Keanu Reeves, is gearing up for the launch of his new novel, ‘The Book of Elsewhere’. While out promoting the book, the actor, known for his roles in The Matrix and John Wick franchises, revealed his deep contemplation of mortality.
In a chat with BBC News, the 59-year-old shared, “I’m thinking about death all the time,” adding that this introspection has positively influenced his appreciation for life and relationships.
Reeves’ first novel, co-authored with British science fiction writer China Mieville, follows an immortal warrior “B”, who desires to die. The character’s journey explores profound themes of life, death, and everything in between.
Explaining the origins of the idea, which emerged around the release of ‘John Wick: Chapter 2′, he said that he imagined a man who couldn’t die, leading to a series of “what ifs” that shaped the novel’s plot. The story evolves around the premise of an 80,000-year-old character who longs for the ability to die. The novel’s themes reflect Reeves’ personal musings on existence, violence, and love.
Reeves’ fellow collaborator, Matt Kindt, suggested that the character’s development was deeply personal for the actor, who has faced significant personal loss, including the deaths of his girlfriend, their stillborn daughter, and his even best friend.
Reflecting on the creative process, Reeves acknowledged that writing the novel revealed much about his inner thoughts. In a report on the New York Times, he said, “It surprised me in the creative act, what gets revealed to oneself. Maybe the creative act is a kind of talking, you know. And so maybe I have father issues and mother issues. And maybe I think about death.”
When asked about the potential success of the book and his well-known generosity, Reeves clarified, “I love owning things, I love having stuff. I’m certainly not going to present myself as someone who gives everything away.”
On the movie front, he has “Sonic the Hedgehog 3′ awaiting its release and the John Wick spinoff ‘Ballerina 2025’ eyeing a 2025 release.
In a chat with BBC News, the 59-year-old shared, “I’m thinking about death all the time,” adding that this introspection has positively influenced his appreciation for life and relationships.
Reeves’ first novel, co-authored with British science fiction writer China Mieville, follows an immortal warrior “B”, who desires to die. The character’s journey explores profound themes of life, death, and everything in between.
Explaining the origins of the idea, which emerged around the release of ‘John Wick: Chapter 2′, he said that he imagined a man who couldn’t die, leading to a series of “what ifs” that shaped the novel’s plot. The story evolves around the premise of an 80,000-year-old character who longs for the ability to die. The novel’s themes reflect Reeves’ personal musings on existence, violence, and love.
Reeves’ fellow collaborator, Matt Kindt, suggested that the character’s development was deeply personal for the actor, who has faced significant personal loss, including the deaths of his girlfriend, their stillborn daughter, and his even best friend.
Reflecting on the creative process, Reeves acknowledged that writing the novel revealed much about his inner thoughts. In a report on the New York Times, he said, “It surprised me in the creative act, what gets revealed to oneself. Maybe the creative act is a kind of talking, you know. And so maybe I have father issues and mother issues. And maybe I think about death.”
When asked about the potential success of the book and his well-known generosity, Reeves clarified, “I love owning things, I love having stuff. I’m certainly not going to present myself as someone who gives everything away.”
On the movie front, he has “Sonic the Hedgehog 3′ awaiting its release and the John Wick spinoff ‘Ballerina 2025’ eyeing a 2025 release.
