Finding Fish: A Memoir by Antwone Q. Fisher, Mim E. Rivas
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Book Reviews of Finding Fish: A Memoir
Book Review: WHERE THERE'S LIFE THERE'S HOPE
Summary: 5 Stars
Antwone Fisher bares his soul and in many ways the soul of a generation of people who grew up in foster homes in this wonderful book. In reading his story, people like me, who grew up with two parents in a loving home should be on their knees thanking God or who ever they believe in for their blessing. Having grown up in the same area of Cleveland as Fish, I relished in the memories of the old neighbor. But I also remember children talking at school about somebody being a "welfare child". I remember knowing children who were pushed from pillar to post. But until you read Fish's story you can't imagine what life was really like for him and thousands of other children growing up in foster homes.I'm sure that there are loving and caring foster homes but many are not. The State does the best that they can, but it's a tough life. And the saddest part is the fact that at age 18 many of these children are left family-less and homeless just like Fish.
If there was one sin that Fish's mother committed it was her negligence in connecting him in some way with his father's family. I'm sure that she had her reasons, but it certainly would have changed his life.
This is really a "page turner" as one of the other reviewers commented. It's not an easy book to read and there were parts that almost brought tears to my eyes. But it's a side of life that exist.
I'd recommend this book to middle and upper class childen who complain about their miserable blight in life. Let them walk a mile in Fish's shoes and maybe they'll change their tune.
Book Review: FInding Fish Book Review
Summary: 5 Stars
Antwone Quenton Fisher was raised in foster homes ever since his birth in prison to a single mother. His father was shot and killed shortly before he was born in 1959. Fisher went to live with the Pickett family in Glenville, Ohio and that's when his horrible new life begins. When he came to live with the new family he started to experience constant mental and physical abuse from both Reverend and Mrs. Pickett because of the things he was accused of doing, but didn't really do. He was allowed and got to see his biological mother sometimes as caseworkers analyze their relationship together. Fisher and Dwight, his foster brother, did not get along very well and they were constantly getting into fights.
After a long eleven and one half years, Mrs. Pickett sent Fisher back to child welfare because she was sick of his so-called negative behaviors. He then went to live at George Junior Republic, an all male reform school. While in reform school Antwone decided that he wanted to become either a photographer or an artist. When Antwone turned nineteen he enlisted in the Navy. There he excelled because of the strict rules he had to follow while living with Mrs. Pickett.
This book inspired me because even though it's an incredibly sad story, Fisher somehow survives all the torment. It seems amazing to me that he thinks of himself as fortunate and can see the good in people after being abused by so many. This intense story shows that you can overcome many difficult obstacles and still have a positive attitude.
Book Review: One of the Best Books I've Ever Read
Summary: 5 Stars
Finding Fish is a spellbinding, honestly written true story of a boy growing up facing all kinds of adversity. Most of it came from his cruel foster mother who inflicted physical and verbal abuse on him. Reading the things she did made me wonder how any adult could be so cruel toward an innocent child. I really felt for Antwone as I read this book. All he wanted was love and acceptance, but he never found it in his foster mother.Antwone has a deep strength that even as a child allowed him to withstand the torment he faced. I honestly don't think I would have endured the way he did if I had had his experiences. Despite what he went through in constantly being called Nigga or told he was evil or being tied up in the basement, he was always able to rise and know that he wasn't as bad as he was told he was.
Antwone goes on to tell about his experiences as an adolescent and an adult. These experiences were also tough, but he was a survivor who was constantly learning how to push forward.
Although I consider Antwone to be a hero and was inspired by his story, this is no sentimental, just pick yourself up by your bootstraps type of story. Antwoine had some brutal experiences and he tells you plainly about what he went through without sugarcoating anything or making his tormentors into caricatures. I'm sure his foster mother was as bad as he described her.
I'm planning on buying this book (I checked it out from the library) and rereading it soon. This story touched me in a way that no other book has.
Book Review: Very Inspiring and Uplifting
Summary: 5 Stars
This was a very uplifting biography and it should only make us appreciate the things that we often take for granted.(ie parents, a stable home environment, etc) I'm not what you would call an emotional person but right in the middle of the book, when his mean battleaxe of a foster mother got him nothing for Christmas, I could not help but cry. Finding Fish should serve as an inspiration to anyone, regardless of creed or color, who is having difficulties in life, relationships, careers, to help us put our problems in perspective. Those of us who complain about trivial meaningless matters like our favorite tv shows getting cancelled or not finding the right kind of department store, etc. must understand that unless we walk in the shoes of someone like Fisher, our little gripes and complaints really mean nothing. This individual, according to statistics, should be sitting in some kind of state prison right now or in some kind of homeless shelter but instead, had the fortitude and determination to play the awful cards that were dealt him and become a productive citizen.
So far, this book is the best biography I've ever read and that would include the bios of individuals with surnames of Powell, Kennedy and Lincoln.
Book Review: An inspiring, heroic, true story
Summary: 5 Stars
Antoine Fisher's story is moving, gripping and inspiring. I can't think of any person who, after reading this book, would not in some way become a better person. Antoine Fisher is a hero, a mentor and an excellent writer and story teller.His story is as sad as a story can be at times. His childhood is utterly tragic and shows the evils of humanity and the shortcomings of our culture and society. Yet, throughout his misery, he maintains an inner spark that drives him through the trials he faces, one obstacle after another. This is a story of a beautiful human spirit overcoming everything thrown against it--selfish, abusive people, a system that doesn't care, anger and bitterness, violence and apathy.
Finding Fish tells how a lost soul became found and flourished. It shows how the love of people can make a difference in a life. It also shows what does really matter in the end.
I think Finding Fish should be required reading for all people. I am thankful to Antoine Fisher for sharing his story.
The movie was good, but it does not do the true story justice--there is just too much there to put into a 2 hour movie--so read the book.