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wendylioness's review
4.0
I read this for my Young Adult Literature class.
Pretty good book. Easy read. Mentions House of the Dead by Dostoyevsky, which is so funny (I'm currently taking a class on Dostoyevsky)! House of the Dead is a lot more philosophical and psychological, also about someone who goes to prison--and it's much longer than this book--while this book is a lot more simple and straight-forward.
I was surprised by the optimism within this man and his ability to cope with everything. When he has the idea to hurt or kill himself in prison, he does as many push-ups as possible till he's exhausted, and I thought, "Man, no one taught him that. That was smart."
I really liked all the references to books he had read.
Encouraging story, interesting book.
Pretty good book. Easy read. Mentions House of the Dead by Dostoyevsky, which is so funny (I'm currently taking a class on Dostoyevsky)! House of the Dead is a lot more philosophical and psychological, also about someone who goes to prison--and it's much longer than this book--while this book is a lot more simple and straight-forward.
I was surprised by the optimism within this man and his ability to cope with everything. When he has the idea to hurt or kill himself in prison, he does as many push-ups as possible till he's exhausted, and I thought, "Man, no one taught him that. That was smart."
I really liked all the references to books he had read.
Encouraging story, interesting book.
sharksread's review against another edition
http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4622743?shelf=read
corncobwebs's review against another edition
Very thought-provoking. This would be a great book club selection. Here are some of the things it made me think about:
-The efficacy of the prison system. Gantos was relatively lucky in that he worked in the prison hospital as an x-ray technician, so he learned a valuable skill - but not all prisoners had similar opportunities. It seemed liked Gantos' prison experience (outside of his hospital work) was pretty oppressive and not at all helpful in terms of making positive life changes. He was in prison in the early 70's, but I kind of doubt our prison system has improved much since then.
-Is there any benefit to sending young people to prison for non-violent crimes (ie, crimes that essentially amount to making a dumb mistake)? I learned recently that the brain isn't fully developed until an individual reaches 25 years of age. So if someone is under 25 and makes a bad judgement call, I don't think they should be punished so harshly. They should be held accountable to some degree, but in that kind of situation, prison is only going to ruin lives - not save them.
-the transformative effect the written word can have on lives. Gantos got through his prison sentence by reading and writing. His goal to become a writer kept him going, and he's a successful author today, despite having a criminal record. I believe very strongly that reading and writing are ways to make sense of our lives and become better people, and this book re-enforced that belief.
-The efficacy of the prison system. Gantos was relatively lucky in that he worked in the prison hospital as an x-ray technician, so he learned a valuable skill - but not all prisoners had similar opportunities. It seemed liked Gantos' prison experience (outside of his hospital work) was pretty oppressive and not at all helpful in terms of making positive life changes. He was in prison in the early 70's, but I kind of doubt our prison system has improved much since then.
-Is there any benefit to sending young people to prison for non-violent crimes (ie, crimes that essentially amount to making a dumb mistake)? I learned recently that the brain isn't fully developed until an individual reaches 25 years of age. So if someone is under 25 and makes a bad judgement call, I don't think they should be punished so harshly. They should be held accountable to some degree, but in that kind of situation, prison is only going to ruin lives - not save them.
-the transformative effect the written word can have on lives. Gantos got through his prison sentence by reading and writing. His goal to become a writer kept him going, and he's a successful author today, despite having a criminal record. I believe very strongly that reading and writing are ways to make sense of our lives and become better people, and this book re-enforced that belief.
scostner's review against another edition
3.0
Not something I would have in my elementary school library, but it would be a good read for middle or high school kids. Having met Mr. Gantos, it is hard to imagine him as the younger self he describes in this book.
rainbowbookthief's review against another edition
1.0
Not the genre I normally shoot for, it was a school requirement to read a nonfiction, but I was surprisingly pleased by this. It wasn't at all boring, I read through it just like any other fiction book. There's a great message that no matter what sticky situations you get yourself into, it's possible to turn your life back around if you want to. I have major respect for Jack Gantos for doing that. I'd definately recommend this book to someone.
nightimeband's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
My new favorite book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Moderate: Sexual harassment
thesuperkim's review against another edition
4.0
“I have learned this: it is not what one does that is wrong, but what one becomes as a consequence of it.”
With a foreword like that, it would be easy to guess what the book is about.
While most children's book author would rather not show their "dark side" to the public, Jack Gantos puts his out in the open. I mean, why would you when have impressionable young children as your target market? But then again, why not?
I have always adored authors who wrote children's fiction realistically. I mean, after all, the world is not a wish-granting factory. I think raising your kids in the wonderful world of Disney - where everything can be conquered by singing, dancing, love, and friendship, is admirable; and frankly, troubling.
Jack Gantos recounts how his dreams of becoming a writer and making it out of whatever town they happen to be in, lead to him making a series of rather questionable decisions. He was offered a way out of St. Croix and into Manhattan, he knew they would be smuggling drugs, he knew there would be consequences to getting caught smuggling drugs. He knew it was illegal. But to some extent, this is the only way he could see himself getting out of the town and into New York. Where he could be the writer he dreams to be.
However, to be clear, this isn't an apology. He knew he made a mistake, he wasn't apologizing for it. He wasn't making excuses for it, though if he tried, he could have a lot.
"At first I pointed the finger at everyone else - my family, my friends, the gang of backstabbers that I worked with in the smuggling ring. I burned them all on the bonfire of blame. But that didn't give me any relief. Had someone else been responsible for what I had done, I supposed my blaming them would have satisfied me. But it didn't. So I threw myself on the fire and went up like gasoline. I smuggled the hash. I took the money. I hurt my family. NO FIRE RAGES LIKE GUILT."
This is an all-out, acceptance of a mistake and its consequences. He laid out facts, he does not justify his actions, and it's up to the readers what they take from that.
"It was crushing. I felt like screaming. Even though I had f*cked up, I wasn't a f*ck up, but there was no way I could explain this to anyone. After all, it didn't matter who I was, it was what I have done that now defined me."
P.S Jack Gantos said in the book:
“Each time I read a book, I cataloged the parts that struck me dumb with envy and admiration for their beauty and power and truth.”
and because of it started collecting book excerpts and quotes from the books I've read. Not because of envy because I don't think I'll ever be a writer, but because I would like to be ready should I ever find myself in certain situations where I have nothing to say.
With a foreword like that, it would be easy to guess what the book is about.
While most children's book author would rather not show their "dark side" to the public, Jack Gantos puts his out in the open. I mean, why would you when have impressionable young children as your target market? But then again, why not?
I have always adored authors who wrote children's fiction realistically. I mean, after all, the world is not a wish-granting factory. I think raising your kids in the wonderful world of Disney - where everything can be conquered by singing, dancing, love, and friendship, is admirable; and frankly, troubling.
Jack Gantos recounts how his dreams of becoming a writer and making it out of whatever town they happen to be in, lead to him making a series of rather questionable decisions. He was offered a way out of St. Croix and into Manhattan, he knew they would be smuggling drugs, he knew there would be consequences to getting caught smuggling drugs. He knew it was illegal. But to some extent, this is the only way he could see himself getting out of the town and into New York. Where he could be the writer he dreams to be.
However, to be clear, this isn't an apology. He knew he made a mistake, he wasn't apologizing for it. He wasn't making excuses for it, though if he tried, he could have a lot.
"At first I pointed the finger at everyone else - my family, my friends, the gang of backstabbers that I worked with in the smuggling ring. I burned them all on the bonfire of blame. But that didn't give me any relief. Had someone else been responsible for what I had done, I supposed my blaming them would have satisfied me. But it didn't. So I threw myself on the fire and went up like gasoline. I smuggled the hash. I took the money. I hurt my family. NO FIRE RAGES LIKE GUILT."
This is an all-out, acceptance of a mistake and its consequences. He laid out facts, he does not justify his actions, and it's up to the readers what they take from that.
"It was crushing. I felt like screaming. Even though I had f*cked up, I wasn't a f*ck up, but there was no way I could explain this to anyone. After all, it didn't matter who I was, it was what I have done that now defined me."
P.S Jack Gantos said in the book:
“Each time I read a book, I cataloged the parts that struck me dumb with envy and admiration for their beauty and power and truth.”
and because of it started collecting book excerpts and quotes from the books I've read. Not because of envy because I don't think I'll ever be a writer, but because I would like to be ready should I ever find myself in certain situations where I have nothing to say.
missriki's review
4.0
Hole in My Life is a beautifully written autobiography of a young man inspired to write who falls into the trap of easy money. In his youth Gantos struggles with his desire for something raw and interesting to write about and his lack of funding for school. When a seemingly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make some easy cash and make his way to New York, the mecca for writers, Gantos jumps at the opportunity without thinking through the consequences of his actions and eventually lands himself in prison.
In this book I loved the way that Gantos uses his love for literature to shape his overall life experiences. In the beginning of the novel as a young man he reads coming-of-age literature like Jack Keroac’s On the Road to help him better understand himself both as a man and as a writer. When he travels off to sea he devours books about life on the ocean for inspiration in his journey. And finally in his dark days heading off to prison he reads prison literature as an initiation to prison life. His reading evolution serves as a written soundtrack to his life and I loved the way that Gantos weaves his favorite literature into this narrative.
This book serves as a cautionary tale for youth who might seek the easy way out, but it is also a wonderful coming-of-age novel in itself where we see Gantos grow from a precocious youth into a very self-realized man. Gantos’ writing is poetic and easy to read and I was engrossed in this book from start to finish. I highly recommend this book.
In this book I loved the way that Gantos uses his love for literature to shape his overall life experiences. In the beginning of the novel as a young man he reads coming-of-age literature like Jack Keroac’s On the Road to help him better understand himself both as a man and as a writer. When he travels off to sea he devours books about life on the ocean for inspiration in his journey. And finally in his dark days heading off to prison he reads prison literature as an initiation to prison life. His reading evolution serves as a written soundtrack to his life and I loved the way that Gantos weaves his favorite literature into this narrative.
This book serves as a cautionary tale for youth who might seek the easy way out, but it is also a wonderful coming-of-age novel in itself where we see Gantos grow from a precocious youth into a very self-realized man. Gantos’ writing is poetic and easy to read and I was engrossed in this book from start to finish. I highly recommend this book.
bluebellkell's review against another edition
3.0
Category: REQUIRED
I was surprised by how enraptured I was by the writing style of Gantos. In this book, he speaks a lot of how he wanted to be a writer, and as I read, I held the proof in my hands that he definitely had what it took. This is the story of his adolescence- how he moved around with his family, moved back to the States on his own to finish high school and there ran into some troubled times. As he feel deeper into drinking and eventually drugs, his money supply dwindled and he felt that all his potential was going to be wasted if he did not get out and do something. He found an "easy money" job transporting tons of weed in a boat all the way up to New York. He ends up getting caught and sentenced to jail time.
The way that he tells his story really helps you to understand the way that he feels. I think that young adults could really benefit from this book because it's a cautionary tale without being preachy. It shows how small missteps can result in huge life consequences down the road. I really appreciated Gantos' honesty and the overall structure of the book, what with the flashbacks between before prison/ during prison/ after prison.
I was surprised by how enraptured I was by the writing style of Gantos. In this book, he speaks a lot of how he wanted to be a writer, and as I read, I held the proof in my hands that he definitely had what it took. This is the story of his adolescence- how he moved around with his family, moved back to the States on his own to finish high school and there ran into some troubled times. As he feel deeper into drinking and eventually drugs, his money supply dwindled and he felt that all his potential was going to be wasted if he did not get out and do something. He found an "easy money" job transporting tons of weed in a boat all the way up to New York. He ends up getting caught and sentenced to jail time.
The way that he tells his story really helps you to understand the way that he feels. I think that young adults could really benefit from this book because it's a cautionary tale without being preachy. It shows how small missteps can result in huge life consequences down the road. I really appreciated Gantos' honesty and the overall structure of the book, what with the flashbacks between before prison/ during prison/ after prison.