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alexandracairns's review against another edition
5.0
Before I read this I thought that Jackie Chan really cool. I loved watching his movies. Now I’ve seen the human side of Jackie. Jackie Chan is no longer really cool.... Jackie Chan is phenomenal. I adore his movies. I do not regret reading this book.
lawson_christina's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
pandamamareads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
I loved Jackie chan for a long time. So as soon as I saw that his book had been translated to English I knew I needed to read it. I've felt that Jackie has been a light in this world for a long time but what I didn't understand was he wasn't always like that. Like many people who learn the ways of the world Jackie made mistakes but these mistakes helped him to change his views. This book goes into details of his personal life, his family, friends and how he came to be Jackie chan kung fu Star who we all love to watch on screen. I feel that after reading this I got a better understanding of him and learning some pieces of wisdom from him. I loved this book ! Was definitely well worth the read and enjoying seeing his life through his own words!
daydreamangel18's review against another edition
3.0
Jackie seems like a really gullible person, but obviously hardworking and ambitious though at the expense of personal relationships for a long time -neglecting his family and not being at the deathbed of his parents due to work. Though he didn't think it made him a bad son, not making an effort to share last moments with the people who gave you life seem a bit cold-hearted to me. Mr. Chan is very materialistic but he loves giving things away and being involved in charity causes because it makes him happy, but I get the feeling that everything he does is mostly self-serving and ego-boosting (he is too humble to tell you about his good deeds but he actually really wants you to know by writing them in a book in a very blatant manner, and also get other people to write about what a great guy he is) He treats most women in his life pretty appallingly and didn't even trust his own wife for a very long time. There was no mention of his lesbian daughter or her homelessness and I wonder what his absence played in the sad direction of her life. I respect his contribution to Asian cinema, especially the extent he is willing to go in terms of stunt work but as a person, I find him quite lacking in substance.
amused_peanut2's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
krhollingsworth's review against another edition
4.0
I struggled with my opinion of Jackie Chan whilst reading this book. He talks openly about his off-screen personality. Jackie goes in to detail about how he has treated other people throughout his life, including some quite childish behaviour regarding his use of celebrity to expect others to treat him differently. Jackie's flaws are laid out for all to read.
Eventually, I settled on liking the raw honesty he puts forward in this book. It takes guts to talk about the negative aspects of your character so openly.
Its a good read, but I must warn any fans of Jackie Chan that it may make you question your admiration for him.
Eventually, I settled on liking the raw honesty he puts forward in this book. It takes guts to talk about the negative aspects of your character so openly.
Its a good read, but I must warn any fans of Jackie Chan that it may make you question your admiration for him.
soulkissed2003's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoy reading memoirs and biographical books. I've always enjoyed Jackie Chan's American movies, so I thought it would be interesting to learn more about him. His stories are, indeed, ones that draw you in -- at first. Before long, however, you start to see a side of him that is rather unpleasant, and the stories lose their luster.
He talks about mistakes he made in relationships when he was younger, about not dealing with women properly or respectfully. Well, a woman who hadn't dealt with enough jackasses over the years might say, well, he was young, he probably outgrew that. I know better . . . they don't outgrow it. So I guess it was inevitable when, as time went on in his storytelling timeline, his self-absorption became more apparent.
I made it almost two thirds of the way through the book, and I am very disappointed, not because I expect an actor or stunt man to be a hero by default, but because he apparently thinks his way of seeing himself and those around him is somehow justified. I have lost any respect for him. If it was someone else writing the story without his approval of the whole project, I might have said, well that author could well be biased, but no, this was HIS story, with his input and go-ahead. Ugh.
He talks about mistakes he made in relationships when he was younger, about not dealing with women properly or respectfully. Well, a woman who hadn't dealt with enough jackasses over the years might say, well, he was young, he probably outgrew that. I know better . . . they don't outgrow it. So I guess it was inevitable when, as time went on in his storytelling timeline, his self-absorption became more apparent.
I made it almost two thirds of the way through the book, and I am very disappointed, not because I expect an actor or stunt man to be a hero by default, but because he apparently thinks his way of seeing himself and those around him is somehow justified. I have lost any respect for him. If it was someone else writing the story without his approval of the whole project, I might have said, well that author could well be biased, but no, this was HIS story, with his input and go-ahead. Ugh.
chiquita_reads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
I'm a Gen Z kid who basically grew up on Jackie Chan movies. This memoir was supposed to add an extra layer to the kung fu comedian. I have to appreciate his honesty in this. He really was a jack*ss back in the early days of his career. If this is the stuff he was willing to share with us, who knows what more he did? It is clear from this book how Jackie became so successful, his career always came first. The amount of sacrifices he made to make the movies we love is unmatched. I don't idolize him but I do respect his legacy.
One of my favorite parts of the books was when Jackie talked about the deaths of his parents. He imparted good wisdom when he said that he didn't see the point in ancestral rites. What was the point of honoring and respecting your parents when they are dead? Why not do everything for them when they are alive and well?
I still have a problem with the way he talked about his affair in 1999. He still regards it as a mistake and does not even mention his daughter by name. I guess it was due to how he still feels about the affair and his daughter. It's sad to see what an awful father and husband he was. I also found it hilarious how he said he appreciated his wife for letting him have his "freedom" all these years. The freedom to cheat with multiple women? I applaud Joan for putting up with him all these years.
One of my favorite parts of the books was when Jackie talked about the deaths of his parents. He imparted good wisdom when he said that he didn't see the point in ancestral rites. What was the point of honoring and respecting your parents when they are dead? Why not do everything for them when they are alive and well?
I still have a problem with the way he talked about his affair in 1999. He still regards it as a mistake and does not even mention his daughter by name. I guess it was due to how he still feels about the affair and his daughter. It's sad to see what an awful father and husband he was. I also found it hilarious how he said he appreciated his wife for letting him have his "freedom" all these years. The freedom to cheat with multiple women? I applaud Joan for putting up with him all these years.