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Review of How I survived life

Posted: 09 May 2022, 04:46
by Walter R
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "How I survived life" by Neil Cooper.]
Book Cover
3 out of 4 stars
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Written in the first and third-person narratives, Neil Cooper, author of How I Survived Life, humors readers with his personal stories and life experiences, growing up in the United Kingdom and living in different countries on some continents of the world. Cooper, who was born in the forties, goes through major life events in the sixties. He calls himself 'Our Hero' as he claims to have survived life through childhood, school, work, sport, family, countries, and other numerous events, ranging from subtle or trivial to more serious. Cooper's book is a relaxing, and insightful pathway readers would love to tread upon.

This book has notable positive aspects. A very obvious one is the writer's use of humor, which he uses to make serious situations look less serious. This helps to pass across lessons that the writer wishes his readers to learn in a subtle yet effective way. I found myself chuckling at some of the writer's expressions used to describe certain situations.

Another positive aspect is the informative and educative nature of the book. One of the writer's primary intentions is to educate his generation on his history. This makes him go into detail about his whole life experiences, which bothers around topics ranging from his job in foreign countries such as Zambia, South Africa, and Australia; growing up in a predominantly mining community, their way of life and religion, the media, as well as relationships with other neighbouring communities.

A positive aspect of this book that I also find intriguing is how Neil Cooper categorized his experiences, making it easy for me to follow through and relate one event to the other. He skillfully narrates his experiences switching from the first-person narrative to the third-person narrative at certain points in the book. For me, this is commendable as the writer was able to achieve clarity of events.

Another thing I like about the book is how realistic the author is in describing and portraying what writers face in scribbling out their thoughts to form a story. Writers are being looked up to as individuals who should behave in a certain way and might not be associated with certain vices, especially when telling about their personal encounters. However, the writer sees himself only as an individual who is being realistic about who he is. This can help writers who would like to fit into society's standard of what to expect of them rebel against that thought and be their true selves, writing only from a place where there is no shame but pure truth and realness. By doing so, there's someone somewhere who will relate to your story and learn from all your rises, falls, and lessons.

The negative aspect of this book is that it contains a lot of errors - punctuation, spelling, double texting, omission, and addition errors. For this reason, I will give Cooper's book a rating of 3 out of 4 stars. It did not get a lower rating due to all the positive aspects mentioned above. I recommend How I Survived Life for all lovers of literature works, writers, migrants, and people who love to travel.

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How I survived life
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Re: Review of How I survived life

Posted: 10 May 2022, 03:01
by Okoye Chinonso+
Seems to be a book of information. Not really piquing my interest for now; probably with more info on the book, I may enjoy it.
Though I commend you for the lovely review. Thanks.

Re: Review of How I survived life

Posted: 10 May 2022, 06:24
by Leandre Nyathi
It sounds like an interesting book, but since the writer wants to educate 'his generation on his history' it might not appeal to someone like me who is not from 'his generation'. Great job on the review though.

Re: Review of How I survived life

Posted: 11 May 2022, 14:16
by Sopulu Ezidimma
I like how the author uses first and third narrative and how he uses personally life experience in the book.The review was wonderful

Re: Review of How I survived life

Posted: 12 May 2022, 02:07
by derick scribbles
Not bad for a read I anticipate. Nice review.

Re: Review of How I survived life

Posted: 12 May 2022, 02:59
by Murungi A
It mybe intresting ,but 40's thats away back .anlog time!

Re: Review of How I survived life

Posted: 12 May 2022, 04:22
by GNerd
This book will help readers go through life. Doing life should be learnt and that's what this book offer. Thanks for your review.

Re: Review of How I survived life

Posted: 12 May 2022, 20:53
by Israel10
A writer who is able to make his readers laugh with a good sense of humor is quite rare. Will love to give this book a try.

Re: Review of How I survived life

Posted: 12 May 2022, 21:08
by Belen Egan
Educational and personal sounds like something that is just too real. As someone who likes to go way back with facts this looks like an interesting read. Thanks for the review.

Re: Review of How I survived life

Posted: 23 May 2022, 08:35
by Professor11
Well everyone has a unique and different experience about life to share for others to learn. i think the writer's experience is exceptional.I will love to add this to my wealth of knowledge. thanks for the review.

Re: Review of How I survived life

Posted: 26 May 2022, 09:23
by Nwaka Chukwuemeka
Neil Cooper, is a strong and adventurous man, he passed throughalot in life and survive them. Great review.

Re: Review of How I survived life

Posted: 28 May 2022, 13:58
by Uwe Neufeld
It seems as if accounts from some distant time are more interesting then those a few years ago. Especially do I like also tales from foreign lands.

Re: Review of How I survived life

Posted: 04 Jun 2022, 02:26
by Stevenmusk
Lessons from experiences should be taken seriously and this book seems to present that so I'll be looking forward to it.