4 out of 4 stars
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Determination by Keith Buff is a memoir centered around the author's experience with arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a disease that causes blood vessels to weaken and inevitably burst. The vast majority of people afflicted with this condition die, but with a great deal of support and sheer willpower, the author not only survived but continually tried to recover from this devastating event. Before this, the author lived a life of relative luxury. He was forced to re-evaluate his lifestyle afterward, leading to a mature and insightful view of the world around him.
Many memoirs fall apart not in their story but their writing style. Determination circumvents this with clear, down-to-earth language and a distinct authorial voice. For the most part, the chapters begin with some aspect of Keith's life before his injury, then compare it to how he experiences the same facet of his life after the AVM. This helps the narrative stay focused, without sacrificing any of the emotional weight of what Keith went through.
Judging from his writing, Keith is a genuine, kindhearted person. Despite his horrible injury and the long road to recovery he must endure, he still finds ways to stay hopeful and enjoy the life he was given. While there were those who abandoned him because of his condition, Keith focuses throughout the book on moving on from how this affected him and developing relationships with those who stuck with him. In the face of such incredible adversity, his drive to help others rather than tearing people down is absolutely stunning.
Above all else, what I loved most about this book was that Keith was so easy to relate to. His childhood seemed like a typical one, with its fair share of bumps and bruises as a result of various misadventures. He never seemed condescending towards the reader or bitter towards his situation, and when he does give advice, predominantly at the end of the book, it's clear that it comes from his own experiences and desire to help. While many authors of memoirs simply expect that you trust their opinions, Keith truly earns that trust.
I rate Determination 4 out of 4 stars. Its organization, writing style, and tone are impeccable, to say nothing of the incredible story that Keith has shared. There weren't a lot of religious overtones, which I appreciated, so this book wouldn't solely be enjoyed by those with a religious bent. I highly recommend this book to people with any interest in memoirs, especially those about recovery and finding hope in tragic situations.
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Determination
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