Official Review: Music Has Legs

[Saint Bruno]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Music Has Legs" by David Haznaw & Marlene Byrne.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Before I started writing this review, I had taken some time to clear my head from the overwhelming emotions that reading this book put me through. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! I like to give my ratings for books at the end of my reviews, but for this book, I can't wait. Therefore, I am rating Music Has Legs 4 out of 4 stars.

Music Has Legs by David Haznaw & Marlene Byrne is a non-fiction title based on the story of Juan Manuel Pineda. Though it's a title based on true-life events, I must commend the authors for creatively developing the scenes, conversations, and characters to make the story more exciting.

Juan Manuel Pineda is a Salvadoran who lost his legs in a fire incident that burnt down their house when he was still a child. Consequently, his father abandoned them, and his mother was also bedridden due to a protracted illness. Eventually, Juan's dying mother invited Father Ron Hicks and begged him to accept her son into Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos (NPH), a home for orphans. Father Ron Hicks was the Regional Director of NPH at the time, covering El Salvador and other Central American countries. Juan also had a severe cleft palate, so upon his admittance into NPH, Father Hicks and other donors facilitated a move to have his palate fixed.

The journey to fix Juan's cleft palate took him and Samuel Jimenez, another orphan in NPH, to America. They both stayed with Marlene Byrne and her family in Chicago anytime they came to America for Juan's surgeries. In America, Juan's musical talents were hard to ignore! Hence, Marlene, Samuel, Father Hicks, and many others play their roles to push Juan to the spotlight so that through his music, he could share his story with the world.

I can't sufficiently commend David Haznaw and Marlene Byrne for bringing Juan's story to life through their impeccable writing style. While reading this book, I forgot I was reading a non-fiction title most of the time due to how suspenseful this book was for me. The authors' use of the alternating first-person point of view (Marlene, Samuel, and Father Hick's perspectives) to narrate Juan's story is genius! It helped me to understand each narrator's struggles and challenges better. It also gave me an 'omniscient' view of Juan's personality and events in the book.

I enjoyed the humor in this title. It is most evident in Samuel's narrations. I looked forward to reading his part of the narrations due to how much he made me laugh. His descriptions and struggles with the English language were just hilarious.

Nevertheless, what I liked the most about this book is its message. Like Marlene, I also wonder why God seems to bless some people with wealth while He leaves some others to wallow in abject poverty. However, I found the achievements of the people in this book to be inspiring! Juan's story goes to show that dreams do come true. I have learned from this book that we might never be able to relate to how poor and vulnerable some people are. But with gratitude and by lending a helping hand to them, we can make the world a better place.

While Juan's story is the main subject of this book, I found Samuel's own to be very touching. I struggled to hold back my tears when Samuel was explaining why there's no photo of him as a baby to Marlene's daughter. Music Has Legs is professionally edited and with a few typos. There were just two instances of curse words in it. I am recommending this book to readers who love a fascinating story about emerging victorious despite untold predicaments and obstacles. Also, anyone who wishes to help the needy will find this title very inspiring.

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Music Has Legs
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[CharlieMax1516]

What a story! This sounds like a wonderful book. I'll have to put this on my list of things to read. Good job on the review!

[Saint Bruno]

What a story! This sounds like a wonderful book. I'll have to put this on my list of things to read. Good job on the review!

An intriguing story honestly, Thanks for finding time to read and comment.

[Ruba Abu Ali]

What an inspiring story! I commend you on the great review. I enjoyed reading it so much. Thank you.

[Raluca_Mihaila]

Thank you so much for introducing this book to me. It was love at first sight . Also, great job with the review!

[Saint Bruno]

What an inspiring story! I commend you on the great review. I enjoyed reading it so much. Thank you.

Thanks a lot for the kind words.

[Saint Bruno]

Thank you so much for introducing this book to me. It was love at first sight . Also, great job with the review!

You are welcome. And Thanks for finding time to read and comment.

[Tablito]

One could think Juan has had it all rosy in life on meeting him performing on stage for the first time. His past is touching.

[Ada Ling]

I was attracted by the title of this book. And it no surprise packed exciting stories. Thank you for the great review!

[HannahsReads]

Thank you for your lovely review! This sounds like an uplifting story--I like inspiring nonfiction books.

[Nelson Lyric]

I must say this has shifted my emotions. Non fiction books are amazing, you read what really happened. This novel is unique though, I have learned that music can be a life transformer. The review is on point, it is an awesome glimpse of the book. Good work Bruno.

[Stephanie Elizabeth]

Wow, what an inspiring story! Juan's journey sounds like an arduous one. Thanks for the amazing review!

[Maconstewart]

This story sounds amazing and uplifting. Great review!

[Ogbara]

I love a fascinating story about emerging victorious despite untold predicaments and obstacles, and am sure there are a lot more morals to be learned from this book. thank for the review

[Honest-reviewer]

This book sounds great! It is quite inspiring. Thanks for your wonderful review!