Keanu Reeves Reveals Unexpected Tech Issue While Writing New Book

Keanu Reeves encountered a significant obstacle while working on his latest book.

In an interview with The Sunday Times the 59-year-old actor revealed the surprising tech issue he faced while writing his new novel, ‘The Book of Elsewhere’, with award-winning author China Miéville. "I had no idea how to use Microsoft Word," Reeves confessed, though his writing partner eventually taught him the basics. The new fiction book is a spin-off of Reeves' ‘BRZRKR’ graphic novels, which he started in 2021 and now includes 12 comic books.

Reeves shared that he reached out to Miéville about collaborating on the new project roughly three years ago. Miéville responded positively but mentioned needing time to finish another project first. "He was like, 'Yeah, I like you, Keanu, and this idea seems intriguing,' but I need six more months to work on a different story for myself," Reeves recounted, appreciating Miéville's dedication to his own work.

Also Read: Keanu Reeves Reveals New Book With China Miéville, ‘The Book of Elsewhere’

Despite the initial delay, Miéville described the writing process as "joyful," and the book was completed in four drafts.

Released on 23rd July, ‘The Book of Elsewhere’ follows an immortal warrior named B who "wants to be able to die," according to the synopsis. A U.S. black-ops group promises to help him achieve mortality in exchange for his assistance. The plot thickens when a mortal soldier returns to life, pointing to a force even more mysterious than B.

Reeves explained that B is "seeking his humanity" and "understanding of the self," themes that resonate with him personally. "As we all know in our own lives, that’s not always so easy. And then you add immortality," he added.

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Reeves elaborated on the novel's themes, describing it as a contemporary work that uses fantasy to explore love, life, grief, death, and identity.

Meanwhile, Netflix is adapting Reeves' ‘BRZRKR’ graphic novel into a feature film and an anime series, with Reeves set to star as B. The anime series will expand the universe by exploring different story elements, according to Netflix.

–Farheen Ali