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hannahslit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
As someone who’s always been quite fascinated with Will Smith and his journey, I was excited to pick up his story and give it a read. For me, the start of the book which covers his youth and rise to fame as The Fresh Prince was the most interesting and vulnerable. He went to a place that I don’t think he revisited for the latter half of the book, which I felt was more self help/preachy. As a result of that change of voice, the pace changed too and I felt the overall story suffered for it. His life is interesting enough that him just telling his stories is inspirational without an added heap of self help speak.
His early foray into fame, experiencing the pitfalls and having to claw himself back up, his cast of family and friends, the friendship between him and a notorious drug dealer, the forming of he and Jazzy Jeff’s crew (Charlie Mack is hilarious), Melanie Parker, his beautiful and mysterious high school sweetheart who saw something in him that made her never speak to him ever again, was SO interesting it could honestly be a movie. After that point, all the stories he told have already been told in interviews over the years (even the personal stuff like Jada hating the birthday he planned for her so much they separated) so it was rehashed for the book without much added information.
I did really appreciate his insight into acting and how to work Hollywood to your advantage and actually wish there was more of that than the heavy handed attempt to be inspirational.
I was engaged throughout (even though I enjoyed the start the most) and have recounted the things I’ve learnt to others so I would say it was a good read.
His early foray into fame, experiencing the pitfalls and having to claw himself back up, his cast of family and friends, the friendship between him and a notorious drug dealer, the forming of he and Jazzy Jeff’s crew (Charlie Mack is hilarious), Melanie Parker, his beautiful and mysterious high school sweetheart who saw something in him that made her never speak to him ever again, was SO interesting it could honestly be a movie. After that point, all the stories he told have already been told in interviews over the years (even the personal stuff like Jada hating the birthday he planned for her so much they separated) so it was rehashed for the book without much added information.
I did really appreciate his insight into acting and how to work Hollywood to your advantage and actually wish there was more of that than the heavy handed attempt to be inspirational.
I was engaged throughout (even though I enjoyed the start the most) and have recounted the things I’ve learnt to others so I would say it was a good read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Death of parent
emmykyhil's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Will it wasn't funny
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Alcohol
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Vomit
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