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Paradox or Perception: An extraordinary story of an ordinary person
Recently I was given some really good advice, I should write down my thoughts & feelings.
Honestly, what a ridiculous notion, how could that possibly help? In Greek mythology, Atlas, the Titan god was condemned after their defeat against Zeus ,and had to carry the heavens upon his shoulders. I have been carrying the world on my shoulders for many years. I started writing about my first childhood memories, which were disturbing and painful.
As a young boy, I was scared, vulnerable and felt so lost, most of the time. As I matured, and felt brave enough, I started writing, it still took me two years to write just one chapter but I persevered, working through some traumatic chapters. I wrote more and more, like poison being released from an abscess.
To my disbelief, I started to feel this tremendous release, a form of comfort and peace that allowed me to be honest, really honest with myself. It was a revelation. I felt compelled to continue my journey, no matter the hurt and the secrets I had hidden from my family and friends, I needed to get everything off my chest. This book is my extraordinary life. The innocents of a child in a cult religion that condemns when you leave. The world through my eyes and what dangers befall you, if you are looking but not seeing.
I hope this book encourages or even persuades anyone out there not to suffer in silence, and not be fooled by others perception on our real world.
Honestly, what a ridiculous notion, how could that possibly help? In Greek mythology, Atlas, the Titan god was condemned after their defeat against Zeus ,and had to carry the heavens upon his shoulders. I have been carrying the world on my shoulders for many years. I started writing about my first childhood memories, which were disturbing and painful.
As a young boy, I was scared, vulnerable and felt so lost, most of the time. As I matured, and felt brave enough, I started writing, it still took me two years to write just one chapter but I persevered, working through some traumatic chapters. I wrote more and more, like poison being released from an abscess.
To my disbelief, I started to feel this tremendous release, a form of comfort and peace that allowed me to be honest, really honest with myself. It was a revelation. I felt compelled to continue my journey, no matter the hurt and the secrets I had hidden from my family and friends, I needed to get everything off my chest. This book is my extraordinary life. The innocents of a child in a cult religion that condemns when you leave. The world through my eyes and what dangers befall you, if you are looking but not seeing.
I hope this book encourages or even persuades anyone out there not to suffer in silence, and not be fooled by others perception on our real world.
120 pages, Hardcover
Published December 19, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 30, 2023
This short book reads like a journey into a man's mind.
The narrator is talking about himself.
Loved the prose.
The narrator is talking about himself.
Loved the prose.
April 5, 2023
I read this book in one day, once I started reading I couldn’t put the book down! I laughed, cried and was shocked at what this person went through growing up! Amazing book to read and will definitely be buying the second book! Thank you for sharing your upbringing, your one very brave man ♥️
October 12, 2023
storytelling is indeed a difficult skill to master, even when we're talking and writing/typing every single day. in this case, i think the storytelling is lacking. the story itself is not something that we rarely hear. the addition of "ordinary person" makes this book so ordinary in its entirety.
the author started this book with weather. as far as i know, starting a book (especially a fictional one) with weather is considered lacking or bad, and i found it uncompelling too. it's like, if from the very start you can't even give us (readers) a compelling opening, then how are we supposed to expect or continue to read the story? this is a non-fiction book. i know. but one that tells a story. a real story, even. so, i think opening it with the weather is a bad choice.
plus the fact that i do not enjoy autobiography much might be the reason why i cannot find much interesting side of this book.
it's simple, yes. the choice of language is heartwarming, yes, somewhat. the story itself is interesting, yes, somewhat. the cover is nice, yes. the pace is decent, yes. but the way it turns into a story? i don't find that compelling enough. 2.5 stars from me.
right. the choice of font also holds a significant score here, as it impacts my mood while reading. it's not about your favourite font. it's not about how large the font is. it's more about compatibility with the genre, the story, and the target audience.
the author started this book with weather. as far as i know, starting a book (especially a fictional one) with weather is considered lacking or bad, and i found it uncompelling too. it's like, if from the very start you can't even give us (readers) a compelling opening, then how are we supposed to expect or continue to read the story? this is a non-fiction book. i know. but one that tells a story. a real story, even. so, i think opening it with the weather is a bad choice.
plus the fact that i do not enjoy autobiography much might be the reason why i cannot find much interesting side of this book.
it's simple, yes. the choice of language is heartwarming, yes, somewhat. the story itself is interesting, yes, somewhat. the cover is nice, yes. the pace is decent, yes. but the way it turns into a story? i don't find that compelling enough. 2.5 stars from me.
right. the choice of font also holds a significant score here, as it impacts my mood while reading. it's not about your favourite font. it's not about how large the font is. it's more about compatibility with the genre, the story, and the target audience.
August 8, 2023
Reading the book description I was quite interested in reading the entire book. This is an incredible autobiography.
The author takes the readers through his childhood and adulthood life. A life filled with adventure, tough times and religion at the top of it all.
From life changing situations and life altering achievements this is an extraordinary read.
A very short read filled with thorough descriptions, though I felt that with some topics, the author went a little overboard with the information. However, it was still very compelling and interesting to read
It was an enjoyable read that I would recommend. Thank you to the author and BookTasters as I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author takes the readers through his childhood and adulthood life. A life filled with adventure, tough times and religion at the top of it all.
From life changing situations and life altering achievements this is an extraordinary read.
A very short read filled with thorough descriptions, though I felt that with some topics, the author went a little overboard with the information. However, it was still very compelling and interesting to read
It was an enjoyable read that I would recommend. Thank you to the author and BookTasters as I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 25, 2023
The prospect of reading an autobiography of an unknown person wasn't something that really appealed to me at first, and yet this book hooked me from the very beginning.
It's very well written and I was quite interested in everything he says about his childhood and youth, I like mythology and religions and I had a friend who was a Jehovah's witness as a child so this was a topic that was interesting to me.
Later on he focuses more in sports, with too much descriptions and too many words dedicated to that in my opinion. I suppose this could be very interesting for people who likes training, diving, etc. but to me it started to feel very boring at that point, sadly.
It's very well written and I was quite interested in everything he says about his childhood and youth, I like mythology and religions and I had a friend who was a Jehovah's witness as a child so this was a topic that was interesting to me.
Later on he focuses more in sports, with too much descriptions and too many words dedicated to that in my opinion. I suppose this could be very interesting for people who likes training, diving, etc. but to me it started to feel very boring at that point, sadly.
July 17, 2023
a touching, heartfelt memoir that is easy to read. the author recalls his childhood, struggles, joys and pains and put them to paper very sincerely. he tells his story, of a boy struggling to find his place with parents not equipped for it, religion and faith making it even harder to figure yourself out. his style is incredibly genuine and the stories he paint are easy to follow. i am glad he got to share his own story, his past, his struggles in that book. i had a good time reading this. below, quotes that i really enjoyed:
“I then never saw Zena for at least 10 years after that, I loved her so much.
I used to remember I wanted to hold her hand when she took me to school”
“One day I would meet him, stand tall over him and say, “Remember me?”
I would want him to feel what I felt in the shower and on those stairs.”
“I was devastated, it still breaks my heart now, a small part of me was left behind that day.”
“I then never saw Zena for at least 10 years after that, I loved her so much.
I used to remember I wanted to hold her hand when she took me to school”
“One day I would meet him, stand tall over him and say, “Remember me?”
I would want him to feel what I felt in the shower and on those stairs.”
“I was devastated, it still breaks my heart now, a small part of me was left behind that day.”
August 17, 2023
I have often wandered about the lives of Jehova Witness. I understand that this tale is written from the perspective of one person and we can't judge a whole belief based on that alone but none the less, thank you Mr James. For sharing your experience with us.
The writing style is incredible and I really enjoyed reading this book.
The writing style is incredible and I really enjoyed reading this book.
September 25, 2023
Lovely story.
I loved how he would give just enough information so that ,as a reader, I could follow the story.
It was written very well, getting straight to the point and was quite insightful and provided good thinking points and reflections while reading.
It's a good filler book for when you need something different
I loved how he would give just enough information so that ,as a reader, I could follow the story.
It was written very well, getting straight to the point and was quite insightful and provided good thinking points and reflections while reading.
It's a good filler book for when you need something different
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2023
At the very beginning I would like to thank the author and Booktasters for the opportunity to read this book.
During reading there wasn’t a single moment in which i wasn’t shocked with what happened in author’s childchood and during growing up. In certain moments it was a bit difficult to continue reading but i’m glad that i decided to finish it. The book was short and quick to read but there were shown a lot of situations the author had to go through. Once i started reading i was really interested in knowing what happened next.
During reading there wasn’t a single moment in which i wasn’t shocked with what happened in author’s childchood and during growing up. In certain moments it was a bit difficult to continue reading but i’m glad that i decided to finish it. The book was short and quick to read but there were shown a lot of situations the author had to go through. Once i started reading i was really interested in knowing what happened next.
July 18, 2023
The book tells the story of the author's difficult life and his decision to write about it.
I couldn't stop reading and the more I read, the more I wanted to know what happened next.
This book was the first part, and I was excited to finish it so I could move on to the second.
Well done! And thank you for sharing your story with us!
I couldn't stop reading and the more I read, the more I wanted to know what happened next.
This book was the first part, and I was excited to finish it so I could move on to the second.
Well done! And thank you for sharing your story with us!
July 8, 2023
HiIt is a short read about a life full of adventure and hard times.
The author wrote simply what he went through because of abandoning his religious life and trying to have a choice of his own.
It is a really good and entertaining story.
If you are someone experiencing a big change in your life, it is the right book for you!
I liked the title so much and how the book is divided into simple and short chapters.
The author wrote simply what he went through because of abandoning his religious life and trying to have a choice of his own.
It is a really good and entertaining story.
If you are someone experiencing a big change in your life, it is the right book for you!
I liked the title so much and how the book is divided into simple and short chapters.
July 1, 2023
The author does a great job of weaving together philosophy, science, and spirituality in a captivating and engaging way. The book challenges you to question your assumptions and to explore the infinite possibilities of your own perception. I think the book had some potential, but it failed to deliver on its promise. It was not a terrible book, but it was not an extraordinary one either.
April 5, 2023
A brutally honest account of one man’s struggles. Taking the reader through his disturbing childhood & life in a religious cult and then into adulthood & breaking free from that cult. A truly inspiring read.Looking forward to reading the second book…
April 5, 2023
Such a fantastic read. An inspirational book, that is easy to read with an open and transparent account of one man's struggles and achievements. Will 100% be buying the second book.
April 5, 2023
The book is an incredible story, it was amazing to see what troubles he got into and what experiences he had.🤞
May 14, 2023
This book took me to the author's scary childhood spent with his step dad but I have to admire the fact he bounced back to his normal like a winner. A must read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews