Jerry McGill (1)

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads. Jerry McGill is a former co-worker of mine, so I was delighted to have the opportunity to read and review his book. Since I know him as Jerry, I typically will be referring to him as "Jerry", rather than "the author" or "Mr. McGill".

Although I was currently reading another book, I couldn't resist opening Jerry's autobiography to read the first few pages, perhaps a chapter. The first chapter went so quickly that I didn't stop there; it is a very readable book. I made it through nearly half of the book before other duties called me away, and I returned to it later that night because I felt compelled to learn the rest of the story.

Jerry explains, "I didn't write this book for you, Marcus. I wrote this for a certain population of the world: Those who endure. Those who manage. Those who cope. Those who get out of bed every morning and continue to go on with the business of their lives knowing what they know. Those who look into the eye of the storm and step out of it battered, drenched, and unbeaten. Those who are determined to move on." I think this book will appeal to that audience, as well as those who feel lost or overwhelmed but want to continue on, or perhaps need encouragement. It is a book that could have a profound effect on the lives of people struggling in certain circumstances. It will inspire others. Jerry's perseverance through hardship is notable.

Now let me comment on his writing style. This is his autobiography, so naturally it is written in the first person, while I tend to prefer reading in third person, but it didn’t bother me at all in his. His writing flows smoothly, making it very readable. He creates amazing mental images with his depictions. One I cannot resist sharing - comparing Brownsville, Brooklyn, to the Lower East Side, Manhattan - is "In Brooklyn, the buildings all seemed to stalk over you like great cement scarecrows, blocking out sunlight and optimism simultaneously." When describing the hospital, he writes, "There is a subtle yet deafening moroseness to those alcohol-perfumed gray halls and white and blue uniformed folk who move about them." When I worked with him, I hadn't realized he had such a gift for writing. I relish how real he makes it feel.

When another person makes you the victim of his or her actions, as Jerry chronicles in his book, you wonder why me!, ask lots of what ifs! and puzzle through numerous unanswered questions for which you contemplate a series of possible answers. That is natural. But, how one responds beyond that varies by person. Being the victim of another person does not mean you must accept the "victim" role, which Jerry most definitely does not. When we worked for the same company, he absolutely did not give people the impression that he was a victim. Several of those he trained told me that he was their favorite trainer and they were amazed by him. I'm not sure the book provides an accurate perception of how remarkable he is. At work, he was always smiling, friendly, and encouraging. He gave the impression that no obstacle would stop him - he would find a way.

There are things I enjoyed about the book that appeal to me personally, such as his quotes from classic literature. I also appreciated the accuracy of the portrayal of adapting to being confined to a wheelchair, of how he described the thoughts, difficulties, and experiences of a sudden life-changing event of that nature. These include thinking that your friends will now view you as lesser and also needing help to use a toilet. My husband experienced similar self-doubts and difficulties after having had below-the-knee amputations. It is an honest, poignant portrayal of a significant life-changing event.

Perhaps what most appeals to me is when he explains to Marcus, "I want to make one thing perfectly clear in this whole scenario. With all this gratitude and appreciation for who I am and the person I became, it doesn't change one integral, salient fact in this matter and that is simply this: What you did was wrong. Inarguably, unequivocally improper." There are some people who, if I tell them I gained something from being victimized, think it is excusing the perpetrator, but it isn't - it doesn't change that what the person did was wrong. I appreciated his expression of that idea. It is a joy and a relief every time I encounter someone who understands that.

I definitely want to read any other books he writes, including fiction, because of his flair for descriptions and writing style.… (altro)

This is a sweet and charming story of a man who falls in love with the wrong woman and becomes deeply involved in an impossible romance, due to differences in ages, race, and mostly in beginnings and in outlook. Rashid, in his mid-twenties, is working as a server in an Italian restaurant for a family that has, for all intents and purposes, become almost as close as his own to him. The comfort of their love and esteem for Rashid has prevented him from developing goals and he is just coasting until he meets a sculptor at the restaurant who invites him to model for her. Through Muriel, he becomes involved with her estranged daughter Rachel, a classical musician who is twenty years his senior and miserable in her marriage. Despite the warnings of his friends, they become obsessed with each other, but Rachel also has children and remains on the fence about whether to stay or go. Her mother's distance has meant ruination for her and contrasts deeply with Rashid's love for his own mother. Hard choices are made, and Rashid moves forward while Rachel goes backwards. The writing in this short but poignant novel is somber and filled with truth and regret.

Quote: "The lights were out. They called it a "power failure". It seemed like power had been failing him all of his life."… (altro)