astratton1027's review

4.0
informative inspiring medium-paced

Giannis, a Greek God, is too pure for us mere mortals.
emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

Rating: A-
emotional informative inspiring fast-paced

It’s very difficult not to like Giannis Antetokounmpo. He represents the ‘zero to hero’ archetype to perfection: growing to Nigerian parents in the streets of Sepolia, always working hard, always humble, always with his family in mind. Then coming into the league as a nobody, developing both his game and his persona all the way to become the dominant player that he is today. From Greece to the USA, from selling bracelets to stardom, from smiling to mean-mugging. All while keeping the same priorities. Family. Hard work. Unselfishness.
Giannis. This real-life, modern Disney’s Hercules feels like a close friend throughout the whole book. Too bad it was published just a few months before he won the NBA 2020-21 Championship and Finals MVP. it would have been a fitting ending to the story.
The writing style made me uncomfortable at times though, as if the author was trying too hard to make me react emotionally instead of simply narrating the story.
An interesting reading overall, even for non-basketball fans, which gets better if you happen to be into NBA and/or are familiar with the figure of Giannis.
funny informative inspiring slow-paced

So many good anecdotes about his upbringing, kinda peters out the last 15% when it becomes obvious she couldn't interview Giannis or many others necessary to flesh out the current times, but insanely entertaining until then

Giannis's story is incredible. The chapters that covered 2019-2020 felt very rushed though.
funny inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Mirin Fader is an incredible writer