lovelin28's review against another edition
3.0
This book was so.... Confusing?
On one hand, I love his story. It's terrible what he had to go through, but you can tell he grew through it in ways few people do.
On the other hand, the way he writes about Islam is really disturbing. Now, I'm not claiming I'm a good Muslim or anything, but don't call yourself an Imam while writing song lyrics and sharing photos of yourself with half naked women.
Another thing is the way the story was told. So messy! I'm a big fan of chronological order, and this wasn't it. Some parts in the middle made sense, but were conflicting with his introduction. For example, he says he was sent "directly to Rikers Island" (page 4), yet never talks about being in that prison afterwards. He only mentions Harlem Valley and Clinton.
All that being said, I enjoyed at least half the book, almost literally every other page. Reading this book was a roller-coaster, sometimes yelling "yes, exactly! finally someone says it", and a minute later wanting to throw the book across the room.
I'm excited to re-watch the Netflix series, now knowing a bit more.
3 stars, because I want to like it, but I couldn't really.
On one hand, I love his story. It's terrible what he had to go through, but you can tell he grew through it in ways few people do.
On the other hand, the way he writes about Islam is really disturbing. Now, I'm not claiming I'm a good Muslim or anything, but don't call yourself an Imam while writing song lyrics and sharing photos of yourself with half naked women.
Another thing is the way the story was told. So messy! I'm a big fan of chronological order, and this wasn't it. Some parts in the middle made sense, but were conflicting with his introduction. For example, he says he was sent "directly to Rikers Island" (page 4), yet never talks about being in that prison afterwards. He only mentions Harlem Valley and Clinton.
All that being said, I enjoyed at least half the book, almost literally every other page. Reading this book was a roller-coaster, sometimes yelling "yes, exactly! finally someone says it", and a minute later wanting to throw the book across the room.
I'm excited to re-watch the Netflix series, now knowing a bit more.
3 stars, because I want to like it, but I couldn't really.
mrselizabethv's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
cwatson1234's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
4.0
jxnareads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
5.0
literary_ya's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
alicelalicon's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Stalking and Slavery