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theocbookgirl's review against another edition
5.0
This takes place mainly in California and Oregon beginning with the author’s recollections of being in a school with other children at the age of 5. This would have been the late 70s.
What sets this nonfiction book apart from others you've read in a similar genre?
The writing is stellar. He begins the story writing in a childish way because it’s from his perspective as a five year old boy. I listened to the audio and it was very clear that he was speaking as a young child - run on sentences and not understanding why the adults act the way they do and hearing words wrong. (Deep Russian - depression, Vestigation - investigation) As he grows older in the book, the tone changes too.
In the printed book he plays around with typography and blank pages and repeated phrases that is so clever.
How did the book make you feel? Did it evoke any strong emotions or reactions?
It made me feel so sad for him as a little boy, always on alert, always trying to please the grownups, always trying to be good was heartbreaking. I was very angry at how manipulative and narcissistic his mother was.
What were your favorite moments in the book, and why did it resonate with you?
I loved when he gets to spend the summers with his dad. He gets to be loved and appreciated and his opinions matter. He didn’t have to be guarded and could just be a little boy with his carefree and fun loving dad.
Did the book prompt you to explore more about the subject or related topics afterward?
I’m curious about the Synanon cult and am looking forward to listening to the author’s music.
How does the title "Hollywood Park" reflect the essence of the book?
Some of the happiest times of his life were spent with his dad at the horse race tracks. He got to be “with the men” and see how respected and funny his dad was around his friends. (Side note: I grew up going to the races too, I remember Santa Anita and Del Mar so vividly. The SoFi Stadium now occupies the former site of Hollywood Park).
What thoughts or ideas from the book stuck with you after finishing it? That it’s cruel to inflict your suffering and trauma on your child. To expect them to be your confidante or caretaker simply because they gave birth to you.
Did you find any aspects of the book relatable to your own experiences or beliefs?
The part where Mikel is told that he has an attachment disorder because his parents abandoned him to the synanon cult was relatable because my early years were very unstable and unstructured.
Graphic: Mental illness, Bullying, Animal death, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, and Violence
jenigmatic's review
5.0
Graphic: Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cancer, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Grief, Mental illness, Abandonment, Addiction, Drug abuse, and Emotional abuse
popsicleplease's review against another edition
4.5
Graphic: Death, Child abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Abandonment, Bullying, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, and Cancer
librarymouse's review
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Medical content, Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Gore, Terminal illness, Blood, Body shaming, Animal death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Forced institutionalization, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Child abuse, and Death
viaviaggi's review
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, and Drug use
lexa's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Addiction, Animal death, Blood, Drug abuse, Drug use, Vomit, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Abandonment, Body shaming, Physical abuse, and Violence
Minor: Racism
gabrielab's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, Vomit, Bullying, Cancer, Cursing, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Violence, Alcohol, Animal death, Body shaming, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
morganperks's review against another edition
Graphic: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Alcoholism, Addiction, Abandonment, Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
imstephtacular's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Cursing
mindforbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing. Mikel Jollett's journey from Synanon to the Airborne Toxic Event is incredible and often heart breaking but he tells his story beautifully, and what feels like, very honestly.
Definitely one to read if you are a fan of his music but also if you have any interest in cults and the damage they can have on the people who don't voluntarily join.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship