Customer Reviews

Dreamseller

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Overall this was a great read, and thank god this wasn't another 'junkie chic' book pretending to warn of the pitfalls of drugs while bragging about the all the 'awesome' things the author's done despite/while on drugs. Novak's not afraid to get into the ugly, gritty details of being a drug addict and the desperate things he did as an addict - I defy anyone to not have their jaw drop at least once when they read this book.

Considering that after the early promise Novak showed as a skateboarder, he ended up famous essentially for being part of Bam Margera's crew, it's really interesting to read this book and get a better grasp of what Novak is like as a person and not just as an extension of Bam. (Although I have to admit, Novak's brief description of Bam and his friendship in the book is the only thing in about ten years that's made me feel sorry for Bam. It's an eye-opener.)

Having listened to Novak on the radio his voice really comes through in the writing - you can tell in certain places things are phrased exactly as he speaks in real life, so the book doesn't appear to have been overly ghost-written by his co-writer. In writing, he seems to have more intelligence (although that could be Frantz's contribution) than comes across from his radio/tv appearances.

My only complaint about this book is that those with more than a passing familiarity with his life know there is a *lot* missing from this book - it's essentially a collection of stories about his journey from skateboarder to junkie to rehab to ...(I won't spoil the end) - we're not getting the whole story. His father, for one, who he has cited as a huge influence over how his life ended up is completely missing in the text (for legal reasons, I assume). The book feels a little disjointed - partly from the way it was written (swapping back and forward between different times and leaving some fairly key parts of his life out), and partly because Novak kind of writes like an outsider looking in on his life - he seems to lack insight in a lot of passages. (I assume he was writing them from the perspective he had when he was on dope, but it would be interesting for him to have said if he still has the same perspective when he's clean).

Brandon Novak is a former professional skateboarder that had a bright future filled with promise and success. Growing up Brandon had all the natural talent to become one of the greats but he threw it all away for greed and drugs. I am a former heroin addict and I can tell you I've heard many stories similar to Brandon's. This book is well written and very witty but it does lack a lot of the story it's almost as if Brandon wrote the story but not entirely the truth or the whole story.

Novak gives some gritty details about being a junkie that you would mostly expect from a drug memoir. The self loathing and deprecating acts that one will do to get the next fix. He speaks of the lonely streets and the once loving family that has nothing to do with him. What you mostly learn is that like most addicts Brandon Novak is a selfish person. Brandon's life follows the predictable patterns of most junkies which entails a string of rehabs and string of rap sheets but that's all part of the experience of those that choose this life. The one thing you have to give him credit for is the fact that he doesn't ask anyone to look up to him and he doesn't expect any praise.

If you're looking for a whole lot on Bam's crew and how Novak fits in you won't really find it here. What you will learn is that behind the scenes Bam has a loving family and they all care about Brandon but when the cameras are on Novak is always the punch line. Bam wants to help Brandon to get clean but Brandon is basically kept around for amusement value as the loveable f-up that everyone likes to keep around to make them feel better about themselves. This book for me really fell short on what's most important which is someone bettering themselves from addiction. There really is no moral to the story in this book. It's a bunch of stories strung together punctuated by a couple of praises to the lord and then it ends. If you are looking for absolution or bright spot at the end of this book you won't find it but if you want a book that shows you how bad you shouldn't want to do drugs then read this. Brandon Novak is not someone to be admired but in the end he is someone that you can learn from.

Novak's story really grabs you. There are no points in the book that, in my mind, stand out as boring or dull. I didn't stop reading from the moment I opened the book until I was finished.

As a frequent listener of Bam's radio show, I know a LOT about Brandon Novak. I found him one of the more interesting characters on the show and this book was one of the few insights into his life. Most of the book is really in his voice. I can almost see where he picked up a thesaurus to find more intelligent sounding words, too. Haha. I got to read many of the random stories I heard on the radio and see where they happened in his life.

One thing that really stands out in my head is a scene where he talked to a counselor in rehab. He basically states his resume of movies and shows that he had very minor roles in. Many of which should have come out AFTER he was released from rehab. This lead to a confusion about the order of events in the book and then a greater confusion of what point in his life I was reading about.

Overall, this is a book that will keep you interested from start to finish. Brandon has really experienced a life that really seems like a story. I'm looking forward to hearing him back on the radio when he gets out of prison in nine months.

WWHAT A LIFE I HAVE TO SAY THIS WAS ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE READ......I USALLY NEVER WRITE A REVIEW BUT THIS BOOK WAS GREAT........

This is probably the best autobiography I've ever read. It shows just how low a human can get and it shows a textbook case of addiction, from beers on the weekend to pot every once in a while all the way through heroin. It should probably be read in schools.

This book was an intense, resonating read. I would recommend it to anyone who knows somebody with addiction problems, or anyone attempting to understand the mentality of an addict.

Reveals a dark side of Brandon Novak that is scary yet humanizing.

I would recommend this to everyone.

NOTE: some sexual content; I would not let a child younger than 15 read it.

Firstly i would like to thank Amazon for inviting me to review the product in which i purchased over a month ago now.
I would love to be able to give an honest review of this book, however to this date i still have not yet received my copy.

fast shipping awesome book great service from the seller everyone should read this book if u like bam margera and ryan dunn and crew u will enjoy this book A+A+A+

I like Jackass, so when I heard Novak had a book I had to get it, and it was a very good read. Drug abuse, sobriety, crazy stories.

Received book quickly, was in GREAT condition! This is one of the rare times I purchased something for myself and was very excited to get this book. I have read it several times already!