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protoman21's review against another edition
4.0
A bit inconsistent, but interesting to hear about his unique path to fame. He hasn't always been the nice guy you see in the movies, but at least he did finally grow up.
shortasianman's review against another edition
3.0
An important lesson in reading beyond the headline. Not sure if this is a spoiler since it's not really about the book, more like what the book lacked... which was just me being caught in my own delusions and being out of touch with reality.
I first listened to Jackie Chan's 1999 memoir "I Am Jackie Chan" a couple months ago. Charming and entertaining, I decided to place a hold on "Never Grow Up" and whilst waiting for the hold to come in, I did a little (emphasis on little) research into his personal family life because I didn't really know much about it. Enter the headline "Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Jackie Chan’s Estranged Daughter Who Is Experiencing Homelessness 'Due To Homophobic Parents,'" an article by Buzzfeed. Well, shame on you Buzzfeed for writing such a misleading title. And shame on me for not actually clicking on the article to read the actual contents.
As far as I was concerned, Jackie Chan was homophobic, something I wasn't pleased about but also wouldn't be surprised about. If there's anything I've learned from listening to both his memoirs, Jackie Chan is just a man and a product of his environment; which was China and the late 1900s. He's amazing and he's also a Boomer. Welp. Oh well. What are you gonna do. Not really worth cancelling over UNLESS he had a daughter he parented and raise, only to completely disown her because of her sexuality. Then that's actually really sad and I think a little less of him. That's what I assumed from the single glance at that headline.
So then, my hold comes in and I'm intrigued if Jackie is going to address any part of this salacious scandal. For a whole 7/8 of this book, I am under the impression that he straight up kicked his child out of the house and am appalled because NEVER ONCE does he address her mere existence in the pages. He talks plenty of JC and his sins that he eventually learns to forgive, but he can't spare a sentence to his other child?! I was shook. But fine. If Jackie wouldn't tell me in his book about his relationship with his daughter, then the internet would.
I returned to the clickbait article and this time, actually reading it, I realize how foolish I was. Turns out, he never even had a relationship with his daughter to begin with, let alone a bond to disown. He cut off all ties with the mother, and by extension the child, before she was even born. Not that that puts him in the clear but it's a pretty big difference than if he had raised and bathed and parented her and then cast her out... at least to me it is.
Ultimately, I liked his 1999 memoir better. Not because of the daughter thing, really just because even without the phantom scandal hanging above my head, this book just felt very stilted and staged.
I first listened to Jackie Chan's 1999 memoir "I Am Jackie Chan" a couple months ago. Charming and entertaining, I decided to place a hold on "Never Grow Up" and whilst waiting for the hold to come in, I did a little (emphasis on little) research into his personal family life because I didn't really know much about it. Enter the headline "Here’s Everything You Need To Know About Jackie Chan’s Estranged Daughter Who Is Experiencing Homelessness 'Due To Homophobic Parents,'" an article by Buzzfeed. Well, shame on you Buzzfeed for writing such a misleading title. And shame on me for not actually clicking on the article to read the actual contents.
As far as I was concerned, Jackie Chan was homophobic, something I wasn't pleased about but also wouldn't be surprised about. If there's anything I've learned from listening to both his memoirs, Jackie Chan is just a man and a product of his environment; which was China and the late 1900s. He's amazing and he's also a Boomer. Welp. Oh well. What are you gonna do. Not really worth cancelling over UNLESS he had a daughter he parented and raise, only to completely disown her because of her sexuality. Then that's actually really sad and I think a little less of him. That's what I assumed from the single glance at that headline.
So then, my hold comes in and I'm intrigued if Jackie is going to address any part of this salacious scandal. For a whole 7/8 of this book, I am under the impression that he straight up kicked his child out of the house and am appalled because NEVER ONCE does he address her mere existence in the pages. He talks plenty of JC and his sins that he eventually learns to forgive, but he can't spare a sentence to his other child?! I was shook. But fine. If Jackie wouldn't tell me in his book about his relationship with his daughter, then the internet would.
I returned to the clickbait article and this time, actually reading it, I realize how foolish I was. Turns out, he never even had a relationship with his daughter to begin with, let alone a bond to disown. He cut off all ties with the mother, and by extension the child, before she was even born. Not that that puts him in the clear but it's a pretty big difference than if he had raised and bathed and parented her and then cast her out... at least to me it is.
Ultimately, I liked his 1999 memoir better. Not because of the daughter thing, really just because even without the phantom scandal hanging above my head, this book just felt very stilted and staged.
royda88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
lsparrow's review against another edition
3.0
I found this autobiography fascinating. I did not know much about Jackie Chan. I was not so into the writing style but very interested in the person. Feels very much like a conversation.
paperwitch's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book, it was a quick read and it was very interesting, I do have to say that it got a little repetitive after a bit and that’s why I knocked down a star, other than that it was great, Jackie Chan has done so much and nothing really came easy for him, I respect him very much
nijahusa's review against another edition
3.0
Not a bad biography and has some funny stories in it. Also showed a douchy side of jackie chan that I was never aware of up until now !
adrianneadelle's review against another edition
1.0
If you like Jackie, don't read this book. I've always loved his films, but knowing a lot more about who he is as a person, kind of a let down.
stuart78's review against another edition
3.0
The first third is fantastic, but the book loses focus after he becomes successful. Would strongly recommend for the good parts though.
scorlantino99's review against another edition
4.0
Some very good life lessons. Now I need to watch all he's movies