Keanu Reeves finds humor in "sad Keanu" image

(CBS) Those who bought into the media myth of a somber lonely Keanu Reeves might find the title of his first book a bit off-putting.

But then, they read the first page of "Ode to Happiness", and become reassured about the stereotype: "I draw a hot sorrow bath...in my despair room." But from there, the over-the-top satire of Reeve's poem/book leads to laughter, a lampooning of his media image.

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At a recent book-signing in Britain, "The Matrix" star tells UK newspapers that it almost is like a self-help book

The book, which the 46-year-old actor described as a children's book for grown-ups, features one line of the haiku per page, illustrated by Los Angeles artist Alexandra Grant.

The Beirut-born Canadian star got his "sad Keanu" image almost 10 years ago when a baby girl he was expecting with his girlfriend was stillborn just weeks before the delivery date. A few years later, the girlfriend was killed in a car crash. The sad image so plagued Reeves that a few years ago a Facebook campaign was launched to cheer him up.

Reeves, who dropped out of school to become an actor, had a breakthrough role in 1989's "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure" and became an action hero with the release of "Speed" in 1994. He is best known for playing Neo in "The Matrix" movies.