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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
This is one of the rare instances in which the movie was better than the book. Will Smith was inspirational as Chris Gardner. The real Chris Gardner could be inspirational if you could just look at the rags-to-riches, American dream part of his story... but a lot of this book was disappointing in how crass his narrative is and especially how he talks about women, grrrr. I do absolutely love that Chris broke the cycle of an absent father and abuse (from his alcoholic, illiterate stepfather), vowing to always be in his own children's lives; of course, as we know from the movie, he becomes a single parent while also homeless and working like a dog to provide a better life for his son. I love how his life came full circle, with him in the Midwest, making those millions and working also to help the black community... even meeting with Nelson Mandela, who said the words no man had ever told him: "Welcome home, son." But what I didn't love outweighs this. For much of the book it seems like you could replace "Happyness" with something demeaning to women for the title. Much too explicit and unnecessary. Also, major character flaws that rub me the wrong way: Even though he makes a point to stress how he learned a valuable lesson from his mother when he's caught stealing as a kid, he continues to steal at a few other points through the book. Even though he says he stays away from drugs and alcohol because he has learned first hand what they can do, throughout the book he talks about getting drunk and high, even some hard drugs, like it's just okay. Anyway, I will recommend the movie and NOT the book. Strange sentence right there.
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence
Perseverance Pays
Loved reading Chris Gardner's story! What an inspiration for anyone who wants to be successful in life. Period. I found some of the cursing unnecessary, but it did not deter me from getting mesmerized by the captivating accounts of his heartache, struggles, and successes driven by an overwhelming love for his son.
Loved reading Chris Gardner's story! What an inspiration for anyone who wants to be successful in life. Period. I found some of the cursing unnecessary, but it did not deter me from getting mesmerized by the captivating accounts of his heartache, struggles, and successes driven by an overwhelming love for his son.
Uno de los libros que inspiraron peliculas...y la pelicula es mejor.
Review written for Lucie
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Hello, hello! I finally finished reading The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner, the one and only. Just before I start rambling on about the pros and cons, let me just say that I read a translated version, the polish one, to be exact. This means that I may have missed some aspects of the writing style + jokes. I only read this one because it was in my local library.
Synopsis:
Chris Gardner's autobiography is so unbelievable that it's hard to believe that this life has written the history of Hollywood and not the other way around. The author has gone through homelessness but managed to get on his own feet and gain the position of a broker on Wall Street. Today he is a co-owner of a company turning millions of dollars. In 2006, a moving film entered the American screens, The Pursuit of Happyness directed by Gabriel Muccino. Will Smith was nominated for an Oscar thanks to Chris Gardner's amazing creation.
I tried my best to translate the Polish synopsis into English and make it make sense.
This book was interesting. It was very obvious when Gardner's personality spilt through the pages. Like, I've seen interviews of him talking, and he acts pretty much how he writes. I don't know if someone helped him co-write, but if not, then this was a damn good first book.
The beginning for me was a tad too slow. Maybe it was because I was in a pretty long reading slump in January, but I don't know.
There was a lot of swearing and strong language. However, I found this quite powerful, considering how people try to hold back when expressing their feelings about the world in modern literature. This shows us the idea of how imperfect the world truly is. People are living in poverty with no one to help them; people are living with abusive family members but are unable to leave; people are living in their own little world, created by mental disorders such as depression and bulimia. It was really eye-opening.
The Pursuit of Happyness was very relatable and that's a sad thing to say. Gardner had a rough childhood and life, and so did I - still do. I won't go into details because it's a wound (more like several pangs of pain) that I haven't been able to grasp or describe, sorry. Maybe when I get a bit more comfortable about sharing things like that. Many people will relate.
Goes to show how messed up the world is.
I'm not trying to negative. The world has plenty of good. This book is the perfect example of both of these sides! The good and the bad. The positive and the negative. The first half and the second half of the book. The first half tells us about Gardner's childhood and beginnings. The second half tells us how he overcome these obstacles and made a good life for himself. This is something we can all aspire to do in our own lives, no matter where we came from or what were the circumstances.
Sorry if you guys expected a more down-to-earth review kind of thing, but I can't do that most of the time. I try but this is what happens.
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Hello, hello! I finally finished reading The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner, the one and only. Just before I start rambling on about the pros and cons, let me just say that I read a translated version, the polish one, to be exact. This means that I may have missed some aspects of the writing style + jokes. I only read this one because it was in my local library.
Synopsis:
Chris Gardner's autobiography is so unbelievable that it's hard to believe that this life has written the history of Hollywood and not the other way around. The author has gone through homelessness but managed to get on his own feet and gain the position of a broker on Wall Street. Today he is a co-owner of a company turning millions of dollars. In 2006, a moving film entered the American screens, The Pursuit of Happyness directed by Gabriel Muccino. Will Smith was nominated for an Oscar thanks to Chris Gardner's amazing creation.
I tried my best to translate the Polish synopsis into English and make it make sense.
This book was interesting. It was very obvious when Gardner's personality spilt through the pages. Like, I've seen interviews of him talking, and he acts pretty much how he writes. I don't know if someone helped him co-write, but if not, then this was a damn good first book.
The beginning for me was a tad too slow. Maybe it was because I was in a pretty long reading slump in January, but I don't know.
There was a lot of swearing and strong language. However, I found this quite powerful, considering how people try to hold back when expressing their feelings about the world in modern literature. This shows us the idea of how imperfect the world truly is. People are living in poverty with no one to help them; people are living with abusive family members but are unable to leave; people are living in their own little world, created by mental disorders such as depression and bulimia. It was really eye-opening.
The Pursuit of Happyness was very relatable and that's a sad thing to say. Gardner had a rough childhood and life, and so did I - still do. I won't go into details because it's a wound (more like several pangs of pain) that I haven't been able to grasp or describe, sorry. Maybe when I get a bit more comfortable about sharing things like that. Many people will relate.
Goes to show how messed up the world is.
I'm not trying to negative. The world has plenty of good. This book is the perfect example of both of these sides! The good and the bad. The positive and the negative. The first half and the second half of the book. The first half tells us about Gardner's childhood and beginnings. The second half tells us how he overcome these obstacles and made a good life for himself. This is something we can all aspire to do in our own lives, no matter where we came from or what were the circumstances.
Sorry if you guys expected a more down-to-earth review kind of thing, but I can't do that most of the time. I try but this is what happens.
This book I probably the most inspirational book I have ever read.
After reading the reviews, it seems like most of the people that didnt like it were upset because it wasnt like the movie and it definitely is not. About the first 75% of the book is not in the movie and it is even more sad and graphic than youd expect. But I also think thats why it is such an inspirational read. His life was not all happy and heart warming so this book will not be either. There is a good amount of foul language but it didn't really bother me.
I would recommend this book because after reading everything he has been through, you feel as if you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Intensely sad, but loved everything about this book.
After reading the reviews, it seems like most of the people that didnt like it were upset because it wasnt like the movie and it definitely is not. About the first 75% of the book is not in the movie and it is even more sad and graphic than youd expect. But I also think thats why it is such an inspirational read. His life was not all happy and heart warming so this book will not be either. There is a good amount of foul language but it didn't really bother me.
I would recommend this book because after reading everything he has been through, you feel as if you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Intensely sad, but loved everything about this book.
WAY better than the movie! I think this book is an amazing read that really gives people hope for the American Dream. The movie did not do it justice. The majority of the book focuses on the author's childhood and only a small portion of the book focuses on his adult life and success in the business world. Must read!
Which movie motivated you most .My answer will be always Pursuit of Happyness starring Will Smith. This book is autobiography of real man behind pursuit of Happyness ‘Chris Gardener’.
Chris discuss in detail regarding his childhood,abuses he received from step father ,his days with uncles while his mother was in prison . Then Chris write regarding his teen life, adulthood, his life in Army medical Wing,his family life and trouble upbringing of his son Christopher , homeless days and hardworks he done to achieve his goals.
If you are eager to get success in life you will definitely get it after the long struggle. Always hope in best. One day you will reach at top of cliff with hardwork,confidence and hope.
Chris discuss in detail regarding his childhood,abuses he received from step father ,his days with uncles while his mother was in prison . Then Chris write regarding his teen life, adulthood, his life in Army medical Wing,his family life and trouble upbringing of his son Christopher , homeless days and hardworks he done to achieve his goals.
If you are eager to get success in life you will definitely get it after the long struggle. Always hope in best. One day you will reach at top of cliff with hardwork,confidence and hope.
I loved the movie and I thought that I would love the book. Unfotunately, I didn't love it.
I could tell that it was written by a non-author, it was jumpy in places and not finessed.
At times, the book felt like he was bragging, all the women, all the money, etc. I know he is suppose to be a motivational speaker but I would not attend just for Chris Gardner.
I could tell that it was written by a non-author, it was jumpy in places and not finessed.
At times, the book felt like he was bragging, all the women, all the money, etc. I know he is suppose to be a motivational speaker but I would not attend just for Chris Gardner.