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Dear Marcus: A Letter to the Man Who Shot Me
The idea to write to you was not an easy one.
The scar from where the bullet entered my back is still there.
Jerry McGill was thirteen years old, walking home through the projects of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, when he was shot in the back by a stranger. Jerry survived, wheelchair-bound for life; his assailant was never caught. Thirty years later, Jerry wants to say something to the man who shot him.
I have decided to give you a name.
I am going to call you Marcus.
With profound grace, brutal honesty, and devastating humor, Jerry McGill takes us on a dramatic and inspiring journey—from the streets of 1980s New York, where poverty and violence were part of growing up, to the challenges of living with a disability and learning to help and inspire others, to the long, difficult road to acceptance, forgiveness, and, ultimately, triumph.
I didn’t write this book for you, Marcus. I wrote this for those who endure.
Those who manage. Those who are determined to move on.
The scar from where the bullet entered my back is still there.
Jerry McGill was thirteen years old, walking home through the projects of Manhattan’s Lower East Side, when he was shot in the back by a stranger. Jerry survived, wheelchair-bound for life; his assailant was never caught. Thirty years later, Jerry wants to say something to the man who shot him.
I have decided to give you a name.
I am going to call you Marcus.
With profound grace, brutal honesty, and devastating humor, Jerry McGill takes us on a dramatic and inspiring journey—from the streets of 1980s New York, where poverty and violence were part of growing up, to the challenges of living with a disability and learning to help and inspire others, to the long, difficult road to acceptance, forgiveness, and, ultimately, triumph.
I didn’t write this book for you, Marcus. I wrote this for those who endure.
Those who manage. Those who are determined to move on.
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 22, 2009
35 people are currently reading
898 people want to read
About the author
Jerry McGill
11 books40 followersJerry McGill is a writer and artist. He received a BA in English literature from Fordham University in the Bronx and a master’s degree in education from Pacific University in Oregon. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
October 6, 2014
Ever wonder what a victim would say to their predator if given the opportunity? How possible would it be to poetically, dramatically, and coherently express the depth of one's angst after experiencing a tragic affair? Dear Marcus: A Letter to the Man Who Shot Me, does extraordinarily.
Jerry McGill pens a poignant letter to the man he calls "Marcus" who shot him, leaving him a quadriplegic at age thirteen, but giving him more life than he'd ever imagine. In this "narrative," we are taken through the tragedy, through the course of rehabilitation, through the emotional maze that many "mobile" individuals take, undeniably, for granted. McGill tells "Marcus" about the challenges he has had to endure, the moments lost, and the triumphs gained despite his obvious tribulation. For the reader, the journey is heart-wrenching but hopeful, calloused but not condescending, dismal yet magnificent. It answers the aforementioned question, not with ease, but with clarity. If nothing else, Dear Marcus... provides a memoir of hope for the most hopeless of circumstances. It, the book, gives value to one's existence and charts the long road toward the recovery from adversity.
This is a must read for both victim and predator and those curious. It is a reminder that there are two sides to the demonic ills that exist in America's larger cities (and smaller communities)and Jerry McGill guides us, painstakingly, through both sides.
Jerry McGill pens a poignant letter to the man he calls "Marcus" who shot him, leaving him a quadriplegic at age thirteen, but giving him more life than he'd ever imagine. In this "narrative," we are taken through the tragedy, through the course of rehabilitation, through the emotional maze that many "mobile" individuals take, undeniably, for granted. McGill tells "Marcus" about the challenges he has had to endure, the moments lost, and the triumphs gained despite his obvious tribulation. For the reader, the journey is heart-wrenching but hopeful, calloused but not condescending, dismal yet magnificent. It answers the aforementioned question, not with ease, but with clarity. If nothing else, Dear Marcus... provides a memoir of hope for the most hopeless of circumstances. It, the book, gives value to one's existence and charts the long road toward the recovery from adversity.
This is a must read for both victim and predator and those curious. It is a reminder that there are two sides to the demonic ills that exist in America's larger cities (and smaller communities)and Jerry McGill guides us, painstakingly, through both sides.
May 12, 2017
Jerry McGill starts his memoir by describing the details of being shot as a teenager, and how it affected him. The book is a long letter to who he calls "Marcus", even though he has no evidence of the shooter's real identity. As the book progresses, McGill describes what it took to recover from the tragic event, and how he was able to regain his self-confidence. McGill captures that true sense of hope in this memoir. His resilience is thoroughly inspiring.
I liked this book for numerous reasons. To start, McGill's writing style is absolutely extraordinary; it seems that he is able to describe things in infinitely unique ways. He can go on and on about a single topic without boring the reader because of how varied his explanations are. Secondly, McGill is able to describe personal experiences so vividly it feels as if you were there. He is very direct when he writes to "Marcus", and changes the tone very frequently. Although the memoir presents itself as sorrow at first, by the time you finish reading it, you find yourself almost overwhelmingly inspired.
There is nothing in particular I disliked about this book. It moved at a steady pace, and always seemed to encourage the reader to read more.
Overall, this book was a true pleasure to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for inspiration, or just simply enjoys memoirs. I also believe that this book is probably most appealing to young adults, as (in my opinion), is written in that style.
I liked this book for numerous reasons. To start, McGill's writing style is absolutely extraordinary; it seems that he is able to describe things in infinitely unique ways. He can go on and on about a single topic without boring the reader because of how varied his explanations are. Secondly, McGill is able to describe personal experiences so vividly it feels as if you were there. He is very direct when he writes to "Marcus", and changes the tone very frequently. Although the memoir presents itself as sorrow at first, by the time you finish reading it, you find yourself almost overwhelmingly inspired.
There is nothing in particular I disliked about this book. It moved at a steady pace, and always seemed to encourage the reader to read more.
Overall, this book was a true pleasure to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for inspiration, or just simply enjoys memoirs. I also believe that this book is probably most appealing to young adults, as (in my opinion), is written in that style.
December 24, 2013
I can't believe someone had a life this hard and wrote a book so easy to read. A coffee, a beer, done. This would probably be great for high school students - not younger, deal with some adult themes. I've got to remind myself to reread this book if I ever lose my own faculties - McGill's reminiscences and meditations on being wheelchair are a powerful testimony to the human spirit.
January 2, 2015
Very interesting book. Jerry McGill was shot in the back and became a paraplegic at age 13. He has no idea who shot him or why, but the book speaks to "Marcus" as if he did. It's sad to think of all the things this man had to endure, both as a child and as a grown man, but the way he has processed it and come through it is amazing.
January 7, 2014
I have read many powerful books in my life, but none touched me as deeply as this heartfelt story of Jerry McGill. After being shot on the street at the age of thirteen Jerry found his life forever changed. He was shot in the back resulting in a spinal injury which would ensure he would never walk again. While others would have drowned in their own self-pity, Jerry found a way to deal with his demons and come out a bright and shining adult.
By addressing this book to his attacker, thirty years later, the reader is allowed into the deepest thoughts of everything Jerry has gone through in order to become the man he is. The ultimate theme of the book is forgiveness and personal development. Jerry has worked through his anger and dissatisfaction with his situation and has emerged with a beautiful personality that only brutal honest can give a person. In his book, he ranges from blaming his attacker for what he has taken away to thanking him for all the opportunities his attack presented to Jerry because he gained a new viewpoint on life.
Upon finishing this book, I not only wanted to embrace the author for everything he shared with me, but thank him for taking the time to pen these thoughts to paper. You will think twice about how you view people with a disability and how much they can accomplish. You will also understand how all of our lives a valuable and interwoven, even when we don't see the threads. I recommend this book to everyone! I would love to one day get the chance to meet this wonderful man and thank him in person for what he has given to me through his beautiful, brutally honest story.
By addressing this book to his attacker, thirty years later, the reader is allowed into the deepest thoughts of everything Jerry has gone through in order to become the man he is. The ultimate theme of the book is forgiveness and personal development. Jerry has worked through his anger and dissatisfaction with his situation and has emerged with a beautiful personality that only brutal honest can give a person. In his book, he ranges from blaming his attacker for what he has taken away to thanking him for all the opportunities his attack presented to Jerry because he gained a new viewpoint on life.
Upon finishing this book, I not only wanted to embrace the author for everything he shared with me, but thank him for taking the time to pen these thoughts to paper. You will think twice about how you view people with a disability and how much they can accomplish. You will also understand how all of our lives a valuable and interwoven, even when we don't see the threads. I recommend this book to everyone! I would love to one day get the chance to meet this wonderful man and thank him in person for what he has given to me through his beautiful, brutally honest story.
June 15, 2012
McGill tells his life story through a letter, written to the person who shot him, causing him to be quadriplegic. It's a fascinating book. McGill uses the fictitious name, Marcus, as the shooter, because his assailant's true identity is unknown.
In the story, McGill credits Marcus' heinous action with most of the wonderful, exciting opportunities he has had in life. If McGill had never been injured, he would not have become the person he is today. This doesn't excuse Marcus for what he did, it simply acknowledges that McGill's life would have been lived under different circumstances, thus resulting in a different man. McGill is happy with the man he has grown to be and is appreciative for the wonderful things he continues to accomplish and enjoy.
The writing is beautiful. I don't want to give away details because no one can tell it better than McGill himself. I started reading this book before work today. I came home after work in a rush to read more, finishing it in one final sitting. I hope McGill continues with his writing. Someone who writes as beautifully as he, should never stop writing.
In the story, McGill credits Marcus' heinous action with most of the wonderful, exciting opportunities he has had in life. If McGill had never been injured, he would not have become the person he is today. This doesn't excuse Marcus for what he did, it simply acknowledges that McGill's life would have been lived under different circumstances, thus resulting in a different man. McGill is happy with the man he has grown to be and is appreciative for the wonderful things he continues to accomplish and enjoy.
The writing is beautiful. I don't want to give away details because no one can tell it better than McGill himself. I started reading this book before work today. I came home after work in a rush to read more, finishing it in one final sitting. I hope McGill continues with his writing. Someone who writes as beautifully as he, should never stop writing.
May 13, 2012
very inspiring. Humor mixed with a lot of other emotion. It made me laugh it made me cry. It seems as if writing the book helped to deal with the life even that was very tragic. It defiantly showed how he turned a negative into a positive. Definite must read for anyone who has encountered a tragic even in their life. he showed us(the reader) the different phases of what he went through with this life changing event. I won this as part of a goodreads.com first reads giveaways. Shipment was very fast. Definatly a great book and one i would read time and again. people could alot from this book. It should be apart of every college level english comp class. It would change the way people think about people with disabilities. This has inspired me to to write "a letter" to certain people in my own life to help with some issues i have. the person who shot him may never read it but to me it was a great therapy tool that helped overcome a lot of the emotional side of what happened with him. Highly Recommended to all my friends.
December 15, 2012
This is summer reading hopeful. We'll see. It is certainly inspirational, but I'm not sure some of the language will fly.
May 12, 2018
This is an interesting book, especially as the author seems to be a completely different person from me. I like the writing, the storytelling and the fact that the book does not become a misery-fest. Also, it's quite informative when it comes to the situation of people with disabilities and the many obstacles they have to deal with. Also one learns quite a bit about living in a "bad" neighborhood and what it means for the children growing up in one. But overall it's a book filled with hope, forgiveness and quite tough self-evaluation.
Jerry got shot at the age of 13 and lost the use of his legs. The attacker was never caught. And yet Jerry manages to overcome this and writes this book to the shooter, offering to forgive, but not to forget or excuse. And here comes the part where him and I are very different people - I would probably spend my life hating and self-loathing, while he makes the best of the situation. That is something I respect. Also our perceptions of relationships with the opposite sex could not be more different, but again, this is not good or bad. It just is.
Overall a sincere and well written book, worth checking out.
Jerry got shot at the age of 13 and lost the use of his legs. The attacker was never caught. And yet Jerry manages to overcome this and writes this book to the shooter, offering to forgive, but not to forget or excuse. And here comes the part where him and I are very different people - I would probably spend my life hating and self-loathing, while he makes the best of the situation. That is something I respect. Also our perceptions of relationships with the opposite sex could not be more different, but again, this is not good or bad. It just is.
Overall a sincere and well written book, worth checking out.
January 13, 2022
A memoir by a man who was shot and paralyzed as a young teenager. I got it from Libby app because I had read and loved Bed-Stuy by him. This one not so much. The beginning is intriguing describing his childhood, his initial experiences for many months in the hospital. The second part not so much...he gets a bit preachy about how the experience improved his life, what a wonderful life he's had, and how biased people are about people with handicaps (certain true). The whole "adult" portion goes far over the top.
June 24, 2025
It was “iffy” at first. I was not a fan of the “self help” theme I saw coming. However, this book came to me at a time I feel I needed to stop and smell the roses. To look around and feel lucky to have all that I do.
It was a good little read.
It was a good little read.
November 6, 2017
it is a really good book i would recommend to a lot of people to read
March 2, 2018
Great read on rising above a tragedy and trying for forgive
April 11, 2020
Inspiring story of one man's courage and fight for understanding of a happening he had control over.
May 31, 2020
Funny and uplifting letter to the man who shot a 13 year old boy
October 28, 2020
I've had this book for...I don't even know how long...but it's been at least a couple of years. I was finally able to sit down and read it. Powerful writing. I'm happy I took the time to read it.
November 13, 2021
Amazing!
Heartbreaking!
Beautifully written.
Heartbreaking!
Beautifully written.
August 9, 2024
Wow, I couldn't put this book down. I loved how open the author was by telling his story (especially from a black man).. this book has empowered me to chase my goals
January 18, 2023
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. 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.
Since I only rated this book 4 stars when other people are giving it 5 stars, I want to explain. I rarely rate any book over 4 stars; of the tens of thousands of books I've read, less than 1% receive a 5-star rating, primarily due to having an impact on me at the right time and place in my life. If I had read this book at a certain time of my life, it would have been one of those. I definitely want to read any other books he writes, including fiction, because of his flair for descriptions and writing style.
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. 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.
Since I only rated this book 4 stars when other people are giving it 5 stars, I want to explain. I rarely rate any book over 4 stars; of the tens of thousands of books I've read, less than 1% receive a 5-star rating, primarily due to having an impact on me at the right time and place in my life. If I had read this book at a certain time of my life, it would have been one of those. I definitely want to read any other books he writes, including fiction, because of his flair for descriptions and writing style.
March 22, 2015
Have you ever wondered what a victim would say to their shooter if they had a chance too? At the young age of 13 Jerry McGill was an athlete, singer, dancer and a ladies man. However all of that changed once he gots shot walking home with his friend in the Lower East Side. McGill tells his life story through a letter to the man who shot him. Since nobody ever found the man McGill decides to name the shooter Marcus. He was hospitalized and in therapy for 6 months, so he had lots of time to think about the shooting and make up many theories on why any person would shoot him. He writes about sorrow, but isn’t sorry for himself, he writes about anger, but doesn’t seem angry, McGill seems to have a positive outlook on everything that happened. I loved this book because throughout almost the whole story McGill seems to have an open mind and he was able to stay positive about almost everything. Which is very hard to do especially when you are told that you have a spinal injury that will ensure you can never walk again.
One reason I love this book is because even though McGill was in the hospital he was still considerate to others. He felt bad for his sister, Zonnie, because she had to come visit him in the hospital and he knew she’d rather be playing with her friends than seeing her brother laying there attached to monitors. She was a young girl who craved attention when all eyes were on him, she felt like she lived in her older brothers shadow. Along with the fact that whenever a new class started the teacher would always ask is she was related to him. McGill thought that since he was the older brother that he was supposed to take care of Zonnie, not the other way around “You screwed up the balance in our relationship, Marcus. It should have been me taking care of her” (71). The fact that Marcus is concerned about his family while laying in a hospital bed not knowing what is going to happen to him really shows a lot about his character.
The theme of this book is what really made me love it. The theme is personal improvement and forgiveness. Instead of drowning in self pity McGill decides to forgive his shooter. He goes from blaming ‘Marcus’ for what he has taken away from him to thanking the shooter for helping him gain a new outlook on life. There were lots of emotions McGill had to overcome in order to forgive ‘Marcus’. However after he did McGill realized that what happened, happened and you can’t go back and change any of it “At some point in life all of us will be in the wrong place at the wrong time” (162). This book has taught me that sometimes you just have to forgive and forget, even when something tragic happens to you.
Dear Marcus: A Letter to the Man Who Shot Me is a very interesting and inspiring book. This is a great book with a strong meaning and is definitely one of those stories that will stick with you. Even after McGill got shot he still looked on the bright of things and thought about others. When Jerry McGill heard he couldn’t walk ever again he was upset and thought his life was over, but with therapy and help from friends and family he figured out how to bring his life back to as normal as it will ever be.
One reason I love this book is because even though McGill was in the hospital he was still considerate to others. He felt bad for his sister, Zonnie, because she had to come visit him in the hospital and he knew she’d rather be playing with her friends than seeing her brother laying there attached to monitors. She was a young girl who craved attention when all eyes were on him, she felt like she lived in her older brothers shadow. Along with the fact that whenever a new class started the teacher would always ask is she was related to him. McGill thought that since he was the older brother that he was supposed to take care of Zonnie, not the other way around “You screwed up the balance in our relationship, Marcus. It should have been me taking care of her” (71). The fact that Marcus is concerned about his family while laying in a hospital bed not knowing what is going to happen to him really shows a lot about his character.
The theme of this book is what really made me love it. The theme is personal improvement and forgiveness. Instead of drowning in self pity McGill decides to forgive his shooter. He goes from blaming ‘Marcus’ for what he has taken away from him to thanking the shooter for helping him gain a new outlook on life. There were lots of emotions McGill had to overcome in order to forgive ‘Marcus’. However after he did McGill realized that what happened, happened and you can’t go back and change any of it “At some point in life all of us will be in the wrong place at the wrong time” (162). This book has taught me that sometimes you just have to forgive and forget, even when something tragic happens to you.
Dear Marcus: A Letter to the Man Who Shot Me is a very interesting and inspiring book. This is a great book with a strong meaning and is definitely one of those stories that will stick with you. Even after McGill got shot he still looked on the bright of things and thought about others. When Jerry McGill heard he couldn’t walk ever again he was upset and thought his life was over, but with therapy and help from friends and family he figured out how to bring his life back to as normal as it will ever be.
April 29, 2016
Revenge. The reason I chose revenge for Dear Marcus A Letter To The Man Who Shot Me by Jerry McGill is that throughout the book Jerry is constantly talking to Marcus telling him about what he did to his life. When McGill was a child his life turned suddenly. He went from being a star athlete and a dancer to handicapped from one singular bullet shot. Instead of practicing dancing and sports he would spend his whole day in hospital bed for 3 months. Could you imagine that your whole life changed from a singular bullet shot? I’m sure most people can’t connect to that experience. Imagine you just have to spend your whole day laying in a bed only watching TV, playing cards and sleeping. That was McGill’s life after Marcus shot him. McGill did those things everyday until one of his friends Tony entered the hospital. Tony was there because he had a broken leg. Instead of McGill and Tony watching TV, playing cards and sleeping everyday they did a lot more. Tony and McGill would race in wheelchairs in the hospital hallways, eating KFC. In a short period of time Tony and McGill were like brothers. Whenever Tony’s mother came to bring Tony things she would bring stuff to McGill also. Very shortly after Tony entered the hospital McGill and Tony became brothers.
One character I could relate to must be Tony. The reason I can relate to Tony is that we both have had a broken leg. Having a broken leg is the worst thing ever. One reason is that you can’t do the things you used to be able to do like play sports. You just have to sit around all day inside when it’s summer. Also, when you have a broken leg you have to rely on others to help you get around and get things for you. When Tony was in the hospital he relied on the nurses, doctors and his mother to take care of him. When I broke my leg I relied on my littler brother, my step dad and my mom to help take care of me.
I would have to say Dear Marcus A Letter To The Man Who Shot Me by Jerry McGill, was a little boring. I think that because every chapter I would get lost by that the author was talking directly to Marcus and it confused me. Also, I would have to say that it was boring by that it was really slow paced. It seemed like it took forever to get to what McGill was trying to address, about the points what Marcus has done to his life after he shot him. Anyone who enjoys crime scenes would really enjoy this book. People who like crime scenes would like this book because throughout Dear Marcus A Letter To The Man Who Shot Me by Jerry McGill, McGill is constantly talking about the crime scene where Marcus shot him. Also, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading books with surprises throughout the book. Throughout the book there are constant surprises about what McGill does with his life after the bullet shot shot by Marcus.
One character I could relate to must be Tony. The reason I can relate to Tony is that we both have had a broken leg. Having a broken leg is the worst thing ever. One reason is that you can’t do the things you used to be able to do like play sports. You just have to sit around all day inside when it’s summer. Also, when you have a broken leg you have to rely on others to help you get around and get things for you. When Tony was in the hospital he relied on the nurses, doctors and his mother to take care of him. When I broke my leg I relied on my littler brother, my step dad and my mom to help take care of me.
I would have to say Dear Marcus A Letter To The Man Who Shot Me by Jerry McGill, was a little boring. I think that because every chapter I would get lost by that the author was talking directly to Marcus and it confused me. Also, I would have to say that it was boring by that it was really slow paced. It seemed like it took forever to get to what McGill was trying to address, about the points what Marcus has done to his life after he shot him. Anyone who enjoys crime scenes would really enjoy this book. People who like crime scenes would like this book because throughout Dear Marcus A Letter To The Man Who Shot Me by Jerry McGill, McGill is constantly talking about the crime scene where Marcus shot him. Also, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading books with surprises throughout the book. Throughout the book there are constant surprises about what McGill does with his life after the bullet shot shot by Marcus.
June 30, 2012
Recommended by a friend and initially intended to be read as a read aloud to middle schoolers (um...that's a negative), Dear Marcus is a memoir best read by adults and young adults.
I enjoyed the beginning of the book where Jerry McGill writes with conviction and strength about his earlier life preceeding the fateful night when he was shot in the back by an anonymous shooter. I especially liked how each chapter read like a screenplay. For example: INT. HOSPITAL ROOM-DAY "Jerome sits up in his wheelchair in front of a canvas..."
By the end of the book even though Jerry is now an adult and has reinvented his life through impressive schooling and jobs, he begins to sound, well, preachy. I hesitate to even say this because I have full range of motion and can get up and go without being tied to a wheelchair. Nevertheless, Dear Marcus remains an inspirational tale of the indomitable spirit we all have if we seek to dig down deep. Some of us, when faced with the darkest hours in our life find a hidden strength. Some don't. Jerry did. And his attacker, no matter if he/she is still alive or dead, didn't win.
"You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from."
"...maybe, just maybe, growing up deprived of love is the worst thing that can happen to a person. Maybe he who never cries is doomed to live in a prison of his own heart's making."
"For me, one of the most disappointing aspects of the entire experience was that I never really got to fully thank those folks for all they did for me. I wish so much that they knew how much I appreciate everything. It's almost like I feel incomplete as a person never having said these things to them. However, I know that nursing, like teaching, is one of those thankless professions in which the person going into it does so not because they want or need instant gratification. No, they do so because they earnestly care; many of them feel a calling to the work. They have accepted that the path of life is such that the person may not reap the fruits of their experience together until years, maybe decades later. It is selfless work that requires much heart and great inner strength. I can only hope they know how much I love them."
"Happiness is a thing I can control if I put my mind to it. It is my perspective and how I choose to see my life that is really going to make the difference at the end of the day."
"...at the end of the day all that will matter is that under the dense weight of all that occurred, when all was said and done, you had the strength and the fortitude to lift yourself up, open the door, and step out into the light."
I enjoyed the beginning of the book where Jerry McGill writes with conviction and strength about his earlier life preceeding the fateful night when he was shot in the back by an anonymous shooter. I especially liked how each chapter read like a screenplay. For example: INT. HOSPITAL ROOM-DAY "Jerome sits up in his wheelchair in front of a canvas..."
By the end of the book even though Jerry is now an adult and has reinvented his life through impressive schooling and jobs, he begins to sound, well, preachy. I hesitate to even say this because I have full range of motion and can get up and go without being tied to a wheelchair. Nevertheless, Dear Marcus remains an inspirational tale of the indomitable spirit we all have if we seek to dig down deep. Some of us, when faced with the darkest hours in our life find a hidden strength. Some don't. Jerry did. And his attacker, no matter if he/she is still alive or dead, didn't win.
"You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from."
"...maybe, just maybe, growing up deprived of love is the worst thing that can happen to a person. Maybe he who never cries is doomed to live in a prison of his own heart's making."
"For me, one of the most disappointing aspects of the entire experience was that I never really got to fully thank those folks for all they did for me. I wish so much that they knew how much I appreciate everything. It's almost like I feel incomplete as a person never having said these things to them. However, I know that nursing, like teaching, is one of those thankless professions in which the person going into it does so not because they want or need instant gratification. No, they do so because they earnestly care; many of them feel a calling to the work. They have accepted that the path of life is such that the person may not reap the fruits of their experience together until years, maybe decades later. It is selfless work that requires much heart and great inner strength. I can only hope they know how much I love them."
"Happiness is a thing I can control if I put my mind to it. It is my perspective and how I choose to see my life that is really going to make the difference at the end of the day."
"...at the end of the day all that will matter is that under the dense weight of all that occurred, when all was said and done, you had the strength and the fortitude to lift yourself up, open the door, and step out into the light."
July 10, 2012
Read in a few short hours, Jerry McGill's Dear Marcus, a straightforward narrative of life after a mystery assailant's bullet to the back, runs the full gamut of emotions: confusion, despair, anger, and hope among them. The conceit here is that McGill is writing to the person who shot him, but the book functions just fine as a straightforward personal narrative of what it is like to be a paraplegic because of a senseless act. Shot in '82, the reminiscing McGill selects the name "Marcus" for the shooter randomly. He briefly details his life in the Lower East Side (now East Village), what happened on New Year's when he was 13, and, for an extended narrative stretch, his recovery in St. Vincent's since-shuttered Hospital. In the latter half of the book, he chronicles how he has built his life from the ashes of disbelief, of "Why me?", and of an unquenchable thirst for life that includes acting, writing, and film. In these chapters, he touches on what it is like to have no bathrooms to easily access, to travel, to develop romantic relationships -- all of the things people without disabilities take for granted.
Best of all, though, is the journey of his own soul. It, too, was disabled on that fateful day. But, unlike the physical handicap, he was able to nurse it back to full powers. Yes, he had a lot of help along the way, but no way this miracle could happen without he himself refusing to accept secondary status from the sometimes heartless humanity surrounding him. Although the book is mostly told, McGill does stop to create some dramatic scenes along the way. His story is an indictment of the senseless violence that sometimes grip poverty- and crime-stricken areas without hope, but it is more a phoenix-like fable of the fabulous power of the human spirit.
Best of all, though, is the journey of his own soul. It, too, was disabled on that fateful day. But, unlike the physical handicap, he was able to nurse it back to full powers. Yes, he had a lot of help along the way, but no way this miracle could happen without he himself refusing to accept secondary status from the sometimes heartless humanity surrounding him. Although the book is mostly told, McGill does stop to create some dramatic scenes along the way. His story is an indictment of the senseless violence that sometimes grip poverty- and crime-stricken areas without hope, but it is more a phoenix-like fable of the fabulous power of the human spirit.
February 28, 2013
This is a straightforward, quick read of a memoir, interspersed with brief life scenes presented as screenplay outtakes. Young people will take to reading this book with ease, I suspect. I also appreciated very much the choice of Rainer Marie Rilke for the epigraph--not what you'd expect in the story of a young black man who was senselessly shot by chance one day on the street when he was in junior high and had to come to grips with life as a quadriplegic.
This is the tale of that adjustment, but it does not fall into the trap of self-obsession or self-celebration that too often consumes the contemporary memoir as a literary form. Instead, there is a direct and honest accounting that rings true, so that the work avoids schmaltz and instead truly offers inspiration. McGill's message is not only inspiring, it's wise, and the title reveals his clever method of coping: working out his relationship (if he could have one) with the unknown assailant offers a procedure to build a worldview and a perspective to help him get the most out of life.
There was a reference near the end of the book that made me suspect the author, Jerry McGill, had turned up as a character in a book I read a few years ago by Dalton Conley --another memoir of growing up in that tough part of New York in the same time period (the 80s) entitled Honky. Turns out I was right, as a quick read of the Acknowledgements at the end revealed. I'm glad both of these young men got their stories shared with a wider audience; there are important life lessons in both, whatever your race and whether you've ever had to deal with a sudden unexpected calamity or not.
This is the tale of that adjustment, but it does not fall into the trap of self-obsession or self-celebration that too often consumes the contemporary memoir as a literary form. Instead, there is a direct and honest accounting that rings true, so that the work avoids schmaltz and instead truly offers inspiration. McGill's message is not only inspiring, it's wise, and the title reveals his clever method of coping: working out his relationship (if he could have one) with the unknown assailant offers a procedure to build a worldview and a perspective to help him get the most out of life.
There was a reference near the end of the book that made me suspect the author, Jerry McGill, had turned up as a character in a book I read a few years ago by Dalton Conley --another memoir of growing up in that tough part of New York in the same time period (the 80s) entitled Honky. Turns out I was right, as a quick read of the Acknowledgements at the end revealed. I'm glad both of these young men got their stories shared with a wider audience; there are important life lessons in both, whatever your race and whether you've ever had to deal with a sudden unexpected calamity or not.
November 19, 2013
moving memoir by a middle-aged guy who was shot when he was 13, growing up in a rough neighborhood in New York. He's been in a wheelchair ever since, and details some of the many challenging consequences (job discrimination, limited housing choices, people's oddly intrusive or pitying reactions, e.g. offering him money unsolicited, cabdriver asking him about the impact on his sexual functioning).
Great description of the six months he spent in the hospital immediately after the shooting, struggling thru physical therapy, being cooped up and watching soap operas all afternoon, and being tended to by a wonderful team of nurses.
The hook is that he wrote the book in the form of a letter to the shooter, who was never caught. He made up the name "Marcus" for him. At first, this seemed a little stilted. "My relationship with my younger sister was complicated by the shooting because it put everyone's attention on me" was not really enhanced by framing it as "Dear Marcus, I wonder if you have any siblings. In my case, my relationship with my younger sister.......", but it grew on me particularly as he delved into letting go of anger and trying to appreciate what he can do and can contribute, for instance in working with disabled kids interested in writing and theater.
Obviously the overall story is incredibly sad, but his sense of humor shines through frequently as well. Very good read.
Great description of the six months he spent in the hospital immediately after the shooting, struggling thru physical therapy, being cooped up and watching soap operas all afternoon, and being tended to by a wonderful team of nurses.
The hook is that he wrote the book in the form of a letter to the shooter, who was never caught. He made up the name "Marcus" for him. At first, this seemed a little stilted. "My relationship with my younger sister was complicated by the shooting because it put everyone's attention on me" was not really enhanced by framing it as "Dear Marcus, I wonder if you have any siblings. In my case, my relationship with my younger sister.......", but it grew on me particularly as he delved into letting go of anger and trying to appreciate what he can do and can contribute, for instance in working with disabled kids interested in writing and theater.
Obviously the overall story is incredibly sad, but his sense of humor shines through frequently as well. Very good read.
April 11, 2014
Dear Marcus: A Letter to the Man Who Shot Me by Jerry McGill is all about a man writing a "letter" to the man who shot him as a teenager. Jerome's , who now refers to himself as Jerry, whole life changed due to the spinal cord injury of the bullet that was shot from someone completely anonymous. He decided to name his shooter Marcus and remind him what he has done to Jerry's life. Even though this man may never read this book, Jerry felt that it was necessary to express his feelings of anger,depression, and forgiveness through this piece of literature.
What i enjoyed in this book is that the author is the actual victim of the incident. It almost makes the book more interesting and unfortunately more sad.The way it is written almost seems as if Jerry is holding a very long conversation with Marcus. The couple of pictures added at certain points in the novel made me want to continue reading till i reached the next one because it makes the story more realistic and more intriguing.
What i disliked about the book is the fact that it had to come to an end. I don't recall a time when i wanted to put the book down.The excellent detail creates a more lengthy story which is why I wouldn't mind reading it, the idea of the book held my interest.
Overall I loved this novel. I could almost feel Jerry McGill's emotions that he explained while reading and I would definitely recommend this to any person who is looking for a book to open up and read.
What i enjoyed in this book is that the author is the actual victim of the incident. It almost makes the book more interesting and unfortunately more sad.The way it is written almost seems as if Jerry is holding a very long conversation with Marcus. The couple of pictures added at certain points in the novel made me want to continue reading till i reached the next one because it makes the story more realistic and more intriguing.
What i disliked about the book is the fact that it had to come to an end. I don't recall a time when i wanted to put the book down.The excellent detail creates a more lengthy story which is why I wouldn't mind reading it, the idea of the book held my interest.
Overall I loved this novel. I could almost feel Jerry McGill's emotions that he explained while reading and I would definitely recommend this to any person who is looking for a book to open up and read.
November 16, 2009
This memoir is UNlike any I have ever read. McGill's writing style, perhaps influenced by his theater career, often reads like a play, with dramatic entrances and exits, smoothed by the seamless transition of a wounded adolescent growing into his own and rather unique manhood. McGill is a bold man, and a bold author. His tone ranges from playful and downright funny, to brutally honest and "real", in a street sense. His conversation with "Marcus" is an intimate one, that takes him through a range of emotions and memories, throughout which the bullet in his back and the faceless, nameless man who sent it never quite takes the reins, as McGill stays center stage.
As he walks us through the events of his life, one can't help but notice that his optimism, his faith, his desire not only to see goodness but to live it, is obviously authentic. Regardless of who you are, and what your experiences have been, this is the kind of book that you will relate to, and it will leave you feeling good about life, with a better understanding of how and when we get to choose what should happen next, or don't.
As he walks us through the events of his life, one can't help but notice that his optimism, his faith, his desire not only to see goodness but to live it, is obviously authentic. Regardless of who you are, and what your experiences have been, this is the kind of book that you will relate to, and it will leave you feeling good about life, with a better understanding of how and when we get to choose what should happen next, or don't.
October 26, 2015
When Jerry McGill was growing up in the Lower East Side of Manhattan in the 1980s, he was on the right path of life. It was hard living with a single mother, but McGill maintained a charming, precocious teenager, already excelling as an athlete and a dancer. All of that changed one night when he was thirteen. Walking home from a New Year's party with a friend, McGill was shot in the back by an unknown person, who was never caught. Soon after, he learned that he would be wheelchair-bound for life. This book is written to the person that shot McGill.
This story was very hard for me to read. I couldn’t really connect with McGill. This writing is very deep. Jerry McGill shares his thoughts and emotions through this story. I tend to prefer a book that I can connect to, but this book was very hard for me to read.
I recommend this book to someone very mature. Jerry McGill is very descriptive of his feelings in the hospital and even still today after the fact. A younger crowd could not connect with this book as could I. As a fourteen-year-old myself, I struggled to connect with the book. McGill also uses some hard vocabulary that a younger reader may not be able to understand.
This story was very hard for me to read. I couldn’t really connect with McGill. This writing is very deep. Jerry McGill shares his thoughts and emotions through this story. I tend to prefer a book that I can connect to, but this book was very hard for me to read.
I recommend this book to someone very mature. Jerry McGill is very descriptive of his feelings in the hospital and even still today after the fact. A younger crowd could not connect with this book as could I. As a fourteen-year-old myself, I struggled to connect with the book. McGill also uses some hard vocabulary that a younger reader may not be able to understand.
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October 27, 2013Dear Marcus by Jerry McGill
Dear Marcus is a good book that shines a light on the issue of poverty in this world. This memoir tells the story of Jerry McGill who was shot on New Year's at the age of 13. McGill tells his story as if he is talking to the man who shot him. This allows the author to take a more blunt approach in sharing how that moment change his life forever. The author takes the reader through an array of emotions varying anywhere from pity to feeling blessed.
I personally love this book. It was raw and took the reader through the same journey that Arthur had to go through. It also did a great job of highlighting the struggles of living in the ghetto and the envy of an inner-city kids wanting to live the life of those better off.
There isn't anything negative that I can say about this book. Other than the fact that it made me cry and I hate crying.
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants more knowledge about how the less fortunate lives. I'm sure anyone who reads this book will enjoy it.
Dear Marcus is a good book that shines a light on the issue of poverty in this world. This memoir tells the story of Jerry McGill who was shot on New Year's at the age of 13. McGill tells his story as if he is talking to the man who shot him. This allows the author to take a more blunt approach in sharing how that moment change his life forever. The author takes the reader through an array of emotions varying anywhere from pity to feeling blessed.
I personally love this book. It was raw and took the reader through the same journey that Arthur had to go through. It also did a great job of highlighting the struggles of living in the ghetto and the envy of an inner-city kids wanting to live the life of those better off.
There isn't anything negative that I can say about this book. Other than the fact that it made me cry and I hate crying.
I would recommend this book to anyone that wants more knowledge about how the less fortunate lives. I'm sure anyone who reads this book will enjoy it.
April 3, 2016
"You never know what worse luck your bad luck saved you from" - Cormac McCarthy
Jerry (Jerome) McGill was shot in the back at age 13 by a random shooter who is never identified - and spends the rest of his life a quadriplegic. Written as a letter to his anonymous shooter, McGill reflects on his life before and the thirty years since the shooting. Raised in a tough neighborhood in New York, he spends part of his life hating his mother for getting pregnant with him at 16, for "raising me in neighborhoods that I was afraid to come home to, for not being attractive enough to keep s man around... For being a statistic: poor, black, single, welfare-recipient mother."
But he grows. Goes to Fordham University to study English and later Pacific University to study education. He becomes a writer, teacher, motivator. Not just a "feel good story" of triumph over adversity, though this is that. But a raw, honest, passionate reflection on life, choices, and happiness. Very inspiring without being pukey and unrealistically inspiring.
Jerry (Jerome) McGill was shot in the back at age 13 by a random shooter who is never identified - and spends the rest of his life a quadriplegic. Written as a letter to his anonymous shooter, McGill reflects on his life before and the thirty years since the shooting. Raised in a tough neighborhood in New York, he spends part of his life hating his mother for getting pregnant with him at 16, for "raising me in neighborhoods that I was afraid to come home to, for not being attractive enough to keep s man around... For being a statistic: poor, black, single, welfare-recipient mother."
But he grows. Goes to Fordham University to study English and later Pacific University to study education. He becomes a writer, teacher, motivator. Not just a "feel good story" of triumph over adversity, though this is that. But a raw, honest, passionate reflection on life, choices, and happiness. Very inspiring without being pukey and unrealistically inspiring.
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