Scan barcode
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
chinomi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying, Infidelity, and Death of parent
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
tenika04's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
I’ve always been a fan of Will, I can’t believe it took me so long to read this.
Really glad that I now have and what an insightful autobiography it is!
It really felt like Will and I were in conversation (I could just hear him) his charisma shone through with phrases I could just imagine him saying. Although some paragraphs jumped back and forth, at times a little off putting, you could eventually tell that there was a coherent link that he was getting to. I respected Will’s honesty especially in relation to how his childhood impacted his thoughts, work ethic, the highs and lows, values surrounding love & his fear of things not being perfect. It is clear to see that his drive & determination to do well was instilled in him from young. Although he may not have understood many of his Dads teachings it helped to hold him in great stead later on.
It was heart warming to see the repetition of names who supported Will throughout his career. I loved how he loved his Gi-Gi and his mama.
Will has so much to be proud of, why should he not blow his own trumpet?
Really glad that I now have and what an insightful autobiography it is!
It really felt like Will and I were in conversation (I could just hear him) his charisma shone through with phrases I could just imagine him saying. Although some paragraphs jumped back and forth, at times a little off putting, you could eventually tell that there was a coherent link that he was getting to. I respected Will’s honesty especially in relation to how his childhood impacted his thoughts, work ethic, the highs and lows, values surrounding love & his fear of things not being perfect. It is clear to see that his drive & determination to do well was instilled in him from young. Although he may not have understood many of his Dads teachings it helped to hold him in great stead later on.
It was heart warming to see the repetition of names who supported Will throughout his career. I loved how he loved his Gi-Gi and his mama.
Will has so much to be proud of, why should he not blow his own trumpet?
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Death of parent
elisalasater's review
reflective
slow-paced
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Misogyny
Minor: Death of parent
oz2021's review against another edition
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent
brookey8888's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this one! I’ve always loved Will Smith and it was interesting to read about his life because apparently I didn’t know anything about it really. It was interesting to learn about his rap career because that I had no clue about. This did make me laugh and cry which is always a good sign of a book. I do have to say sometimes it was a little cringey. The audiobook was really good and I recommend it! It includes music and then that one scene in Fresh Prince(which I say a Reddit post or something like that one and it wasn’t factual information, so I’m glad I know the truth).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Abortion, and Death of parent
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