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gina03's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
This is Will’s life story mixed in with a self help book. I enjoyed the audio on this in his own voice. In my very humble opinion, Will is still searching for approval and meaning outside of his world wide success. Brings perspective to success and happiness!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
sandymaple's review
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Abortion
amandas_bookshelf's review
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
adiajamille's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
At the suggestion of lots of people I chose to listen to the audiobook version. Typically I struggle with audiobooks, but I figured having the voice to match a face I knew would make it easier. I was correct. But besides that the production of the audiobook was top tier. You felt like this was an intimate conversation between you and him. As an elder millennial I’ve watched him my whole life. And it was great to hear the backstory of what I saw from afar. The book is engaging, heartfelt, loving, heartbreaking, and thoroughly inspiring. It was also a reminder of the importance of claiming and naming our wins. ESPECIALLY for Black folks. Not only as a reminder that we don’t have anything to prove to anyone but ourselves, but also as a reminder that when we achieve things, especially after extensive work, it is ok to look back at the things we’ve done and feel proud of them. BUT now I need me a DJ Jazzy Jeff memoir.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
maria1085's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I don’t usually give star ratings to memoirs, but this one was AMAZING. His story was funny, moving, inspiring, sad. Hearing him talk about his childhood, trauma, his time on Fresh Prince, his rap career, and movie career. Relationships, his family, wife and kids. He was so raw and honest. I loved learning about his life and the people that shaped him. There were so many parts that I was laughing out loud, and also parts that I was crying. Beautifully done. Will Smith is a master entertainer.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
ems_rxlibrary's review
adventurous
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
betanine's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
I like to hear a person’s story. I like them better when they feel true and honest. We all see life from our own personal perspective and I don’t believe anybody would publish all their dark secrets.
What I like about Will’s story is that it isn’t just a memoir or a behind-the-scenes exposé. The stories he tells build his journey and inform his growth as a person. The message of finding that fame and fortune, not even the purest person who loves you can be the source of your self acceptance and happiness is true and hits the mark for me. It’s remembering this truth that is the continual struggle.
What I like about Will’s story is that it isn’t just a memoir or a behind-the-scenes exposé. The stories he tells build his journey and inform his growth as a person. The message of finding that fame and fortune, not even the purest person who loves you can be the source of your self acceptance and happiness is true and hits the mark for me. It’s remembering this truth that is the continual struggle.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
stephbakerbooks's review
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this memoir! Especially on audio—audio is really the way to go with this one, as it includes music and raps that made for a unique listen.
If you're a fan of celebrity memoirs, you'll like this one. Will Smith is real and honest about a lot of aspects of his life, growing up, his family life, becoming a rapper and then an actor, his personal struggles. He talks a lot throughout about his belief that he's a coward and how that effected his life from an early age, and also about how he feels he has to put on personas to be successful...and maybe who he is in this book is even a persona.
I didn't know a lot about Will Smith before reading this book (I've actually never watched the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air...), and after reading this book, I still don't think I know who he is. But I have a lot of respect and compassion for him now. An overall well-done audiobook!
If you're a fan of celebrity memoirs, you'll like this one. Will Smith is real and honest about a lot of aspects of his life, growing up, his family life, becoming a rapper and then an actor, his personal struggles. He talks a lot throughout about his belief that he's a coward and how that effected his life from an early age, and also about how he feels he has to put on personas to be successful...and maybe who he is in this book is even a persona.
I didn't know a lot about Will Smith before reading this book (I've actually never watched the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air...), and after reading this book, I still don't think I know who he is. But I have a lot of respect and compassion for him now. An overall well-done audiobook!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
achay91's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Drug use and Sexual content
tissytis's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
4.0
I actually really enjoyed the audiobook at the beginning until at least halfway through it however I was surprised at how my feelings about the book changed by the end of it. To get it out of the way, I was excited about this book as I remember liking most of the movies he acted in, hence even more surprised by the disappointment I felt upon finishing this audiobook.
Firstly I really liked the “special effects” that he brought to this audiobook (again, keeping it vague to avoid without spoilers). I liked that his voice is strong and clear for most of the audiobook hence suitable for driving, however the profanity of the language at times makes this not suitable for children’s and impressionable’s ears. I respect and can see how much hard work he put in to become who he is today. However at some point, especially after a certain “psychedelic” episode onwards, I felt that there’s a certain arrogance to him, and the charm that was in the beginning of this audiobook did not carry its effect through til the end. In the end, I liked him less than I did before 😔
Firstly I really liked the “special effects” that he brought to this audiobook (again, keeping it vague to avoid without spoilers). I liked that his voice is strong and clear for most of the audiobook hence suitable for driving, however the profanity of the language at times makes this not suitable for children’s and impressionable’s ears. I respect and can see how much hard work he put in to become who he is today. However at some point, especially after a certain “psychedelic” episode onwards, I felt that there’s a certain arrogance to him, and the charm that was in the beginning of this audiobook did not carry its effect through til the end. In the end, I liked him less than I did before 😔
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing