3 out of 4 stars
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The Untold Unlocking of Secrets is a slap in the face that has you holding your breath waiting for the next awful life lesson to befall an eight-year-old Haitian boy. If it were a movie you’d be looking through spread fingers with that little voice in the back of your head screaming, ‘no, you can’t do that!’ But you can’t truly look away because you might miss what happens next. It is a piece that will keep you hooked until the very end, even if it means sitting on the edge of your seat with your hands over your eyes.
Jean-Pierre’s non-fiction piece has you questioning the importance of the life lessons that only a parent can teach you and how terribly things can go wrong when a child is left in the dark. We follow young James’ battle through life’s obstacles as he desperately tries to keep his head above water and navigate the transition from boy to man in the most unconventional and sicking way imaginable. It is a story of experimentation, curiosity and poor choices with a skewed view on reality that only a child can possess.
Like James, you are left feeling as though important information hasn’t been passed onto you throughout the narrative. As the narrative skips from life event to life event across a span of several years, the reader is left trying to piece together the moments in order to determine the direction of the story. It reads more as a confessional piece rather than based on a concept driven storyline. This is not necessarily a bad point; the unfolding events do keep you enthralled. But the central point of depression is lost throughout the majority of the piece.
Each section provides enough shock value to keep the reader intrigued but the finer details are lacking. With no insight into the Haitian culture, the reader is left questioning why the young boy does the things that he does. It is clear the author intends culture and upbringing to be of consequence but without that insider knowledge of the Haitian culture the reader is merely left flabbergasted by the unfolding events.
Regardless, this is an intriguing and thought provoking piece that leaves you wanting to know more. Animal lovers beware, this piece is not for the feint hearted but I’m going to recommend it as a must read anyway. I give The Untold Unlocking of Secrets a 3 out of 4 stars for its uncandid honesty.
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The Untold Unlocking Of Secrets
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