A review by terrym10
Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16 by Moshe Kasher

4.0

I’ll keep this short as every time I write a long review it kicks me out. I loved this memoir! It’s set in Oakland, and I grew up in San Leandro which touches it. He’s 8 years younger than me, but his story really hit home. He was in therapy at age 4, in his first mental hospital at 13, and kicked out of two rehabs at 15. He was diagnosed as drug-addicted, with ADD and many other issues. He, like many I know, self-medicated on top of the drugs that he was prescribed. He was funny, which both got him in trouble and kept him sane. He started smoking cigarettes and weed, plus drinking when he was 12. He stole from everyone he knew, including his family. He was self-destructive and beat on both his mother and grandmother. He turned his life around at age 16 and is now a successful stand-up comedian who I’ve seen on tv. Trust me, this book is hilarious and heartbreaking and inspirational all at the same time. I highly recommend it!