Review of What a Footballer!
Fame is transient. It takes a lifetime of hard work to attain it. However, fame can leave you in the blink of an eye.
John Rose's What A Footballer! follows Daniel Malka as he traverses the path of fame and success. Daniel is born on a street riddled with beggars, criminals, and prostitutes. With the help of his honest father, hardworking mother, and righteous girlfriend, he is able to steer clear of the path of crime unlike so many of his peers. One day, Jason Parker, a scion in the world of football, notices Daniel's outstanding talent with the ball. Before he knows it, Daniel is whisked away from the street. He soon joins a renowned club and becomes a stalwart in the football world. Little does he know that wealth and fame come with their own share of responsibilities.
Will Daniel be able to manage his newfound success or will he be blinded by money and stardom? Most importantly, will he be able to find his true purpose in life?
What A Footballer! by John Rose is an exceptional book filled with many valuable life lessons. The book teaches us the importance of being prudent and charitable. I have to say that Daniel's story actually made me feel like I am reading the biography of a real-life football star. It is evident that John Rose is well-versed in the sport. From talent hunting and team selection to actually playing on the field, Rose describes it all. He gives us a detailed insight into the various playing techniques. I had fun reading about the various superstitions that were prevalent among the players and the audience. The fanatic behavior of the audiences and the super-strict regimen maintained by the coaches and club owners made me feel a new level of appreciation for our footballers.
John Rose's portrayal of the highs and lows of Daniel's life is very realistic. Daniel was just an ignorant kid when fame knocked at his door. Naturally, he was ill-prepared to handle it. The way Rose showed his transitions is admirable. Daniel's rise from a poor street boy to a famous football star to a man of substance was depicted in a masterful manner. His relationship with Renata was toxic yet it reminded me of many of the star couples that we have in today's world. Renata was completely opposite from Miriam, Daniel's first love. Where Miriam dedicated her life to upholding the rights of women and downtrodden people, Renata only cared about materialistic things. I was actually upset with Daniel for his treatment of Miriam. Jason Parker and Baba Madri were two of my favorite characters. Jason was a larger-than-life man who took care of the people around him. His relationship with Alina was adorable. I loved reading about Jason's many eccentricities. Baba Madri, on the other hand, was completely different. A recluse living in Daniel's old street, Baba Madrid was a man of immense wisdom. Like Daniel, I learned a lot from him.
What A Footballer! is a short read that is more than worth your while. Apart from some minor errors, I did not find anything to complain about. A round of editing can easily fix the errors.
Keeping in mind the pros and cons, I rate What A Footballer!4 out of 5 stars. If not for the errors, I would have happily awarded this outstanding book a perfect rating.
I recommend this book to football fans. People who like reading realistic stories about stars would highly enjoy this book as well.
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What a Footballer!
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