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Flying Without a Net - The True Story of a Boy Who Defies All Odds and Runs Away with Cirque Du Soleil
Flying Without a Net is a touching story filled with hope and belief. A story that defines the power of the human spirit. A spirit we all have. A power we all possess. Statistics predicted that Vital would be dead or in jail by the age of eighteen due to gang related violence and circumstance. Instead, as a little boy he took life by the reins, overcame insurmountable challenges, and achieved his dream in a land far from the country of his birth. "Life's lessons have taught me there is only ever one thing that holds us back in life. That one thing acted as my saving grace. It allowed me to defy the odds, achieve my dreams and live an adventure beyond my wildest imagination." - Vital Germaine Come and get a glimpse of what it's like to runaway with the Circus. But not just any circus. Mesdames et messieurs, Cirque du Soleil. Vital left Europe to pursue his dreams. He performed in Cirque du Soleil's Mystère and Quidam. He studied literature and fine art at UNLV and the College of Southern Nevada. When he is not writing, choreographing or painting, Vital is a public speaker - a modern-day renaissance man. For more info log onto www.VitalGermaine.com.
224 pages, Paperback
First published February 17, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 4, 2017
This was a well written book about not becoming a victim of your circumstances. Vital Germaine didn't become another statistic but overcame tragedies and childhoods that nobody should have to go through. I didn't have a difficult childhood, but this book inspired me to not let circumstances define my success.
December 31, 2015
There was a lot that I wished had been answered, but this book wasn't about that. It was about his journey to overcome his hardships and what was holding his back. Very good read.
April 4, 2021
The title I downloaded was labeled "exclusive author edition". I didn't see that listed in my choices for this book on the site I usually review first on--so I am not sure if the book I read ended in the same place as this book.
The title claims to be the story of a boy who ran away and joined not only the circus, but Cirque du Soleil. No where in its pages did I discover when he left his "family" in Belgium and how he ended up with Cirque. Instead, we ended up with him finally standing up to his father (in Belgium).
I liked the beginning (where we see him performing in Mystere) and I understood the need to go back into his childhood to see where he came from. But several chapters in, that chronological narrative gets interrupted by a move back to the present--talking about someone he worked with in Mystere. From then on, it was harder for me to follow what was happening in Vital's life--and I felt like we never really got back to why or how he ended up finding Cirque.
The title claims to be the story of a boy who ran away and joined not only the circus, but Cirque du Soleil. No where in its pages did I discover when he left his "family" in Belgium and how he ended up with Cirque. Instead, we ended up with him finally standing up to his father (in Belgium).
I liked the beginning (where we see him performing in Mystere) and I understood the need to go back into his childhood to see where he came from. But several chapters in, that chronological narrative gets interrupted by a move back to the present--talking about someone he worked with in Mystere. From then on, it was harder for me to follow what was happening in Vital's life--and I felt like we never really got back to why or how he ended up finding Cirque.
January 1, 2021
A book that touched my heart in so many ways...
Only every once in a while I come across a book that touches my heart. This one not only touched my heart but also my entire body taking it through all emotions and feelings one can experience: disgust, love & hate, anger, respect, pain, belief, disbelief, rage, trust & distrust and towards the end hope... I read it in one sitting as the story was so compelling and demanded the respect to read this man’s life story without interruptions. A book I would have expected to see on Oprah’s booklist and that should definitely be on yours. The story gave me a new set of wings to fly even higher wanting to take all the world’s children in need for a safe, loving home with me and protect them with my life. I can’t wait to read his other books.
Only every once in a while I come across a book that touches my heart. This one not only touched my heart but also my entire body taking it through all emotions and feelings one can experience: disgust, love & hate, anger, respect, pain, belief, disbelief, rage, trust & distrust and towards the end hope... I read it in one sitting as the story was so compelling and demanded the respect to read this man’s life story without interruptions. A book I would have expected to see on Oprah’s booklist and that should definitely be on yours. The story gave me a new set of wings to fly even higher wanting to take all the world’s children in need for a safe, loving home with me and protect them with my life. I can’t wait to read his other books.
July 11, 2018
Great autobiography of a young boys heartbreaking and confusing childhood in England and Belgium. Ultimately a story of how some people are able to keep hope alive for a better future, as well as keep a gentle and kind spirit despite a very difficult life. Couldn't help but be both moved to tears and inspired.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews