Official Review: Ghetto Uprising
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Rizbi
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Official Review: Ghetto Uprising
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Ghetto Uprising" by Zach Rance and Michael Weiner.]
2 out of 4 stars
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Demetri, a baby addicted to crack cocaine was abandoned by his mother and placed on a foster care. That’s how the story for Ghetto Uprising by Zachary Rance and Michael Weisner started – the first book for the authors.
He was then adopted by an elderly couple who did their best to give him a good life - even left him a trust fund for his college education. They were not rich but they tried to prepare him for what is in store for him on their demise. The man especially, Charlie, tried to instill in Demetri honesty and perseverance for a better life than those around him.
When he reached 15, Demetri is alone again. He moves in the boys’ center, suffers bullying and multiple beatings and meets a friend, Ryan. Demetri gravitates to Ryan immediately and feels they have a lot of things in common. Ryan also happens to be an important member of a gang. Demetri is soon entangled in Ryan’s world, to the point of nearly not graduating from high school.
In junior year college, Demetri decides to drop out and get in touch with Ryan again. Ryan is still in the same neighborhood, but living a much-improved life. He is also dealing with the big boys of the trade and Demetri wants to be a part of it. Ryan warns him that it’s an entirely different world than what they had, but Demetri is adamant and wants to prove himself.
Demetri quickly becomes an integral part of Ryan’s gang and finally proving his worth – is chosen to be one of the few generals of the gang. Demetri feels that it is the biggest accomplishment of his life. But how long will it last ?
I have mixed feelings about this book. It started with a very intriguing plot, but once Demetri was in the boys’ center, the story developed into a compilation of multiple cliches. The title Ghetto Uprising refers to the Jewish Resistance Movement that fought the Nazis in the Warsaw ghetto during World War II. One of Demetri’s high schoolteacher took part in this resistance and told them that he fought to get out of the ghetto while they fight to stay in it. This experience was supposed to be what drove Demetri to ‘fight to get out’ of his own ghetto. This appeared to be a very flimsy link because from that point on, Demetri was shown to be doing anything but fight (to get out).
The characterization was also poor, resulting in me not caring what happens to any of the characters. Not to say that there was no build-up in the story – there was. However, it was quite weak and when it unfolded, it seemed abrupt and forced, almost like an after-thought.
Having said that, I think the writing style is interesting. The story was relayed as if Demetri was giving an account of his life in an interrogation room and the authors kept this tone all throughout the book. I also commend the authors for managing to use clean language despite its settings and theme. On the downside, some readers might say this made the book less believable.
Overall, I give this book 2 out of 4 stars. I might not completely like it, but I am certain that there are some people who will fully appreciate it.
******
Ghetto Uprising
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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2 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
Demetri, a baby addicted to crack cocaine was abandoned by his mother and placed on a foster care. That’s how the story for Ghetto Uprising by Zachary Rance and Michael Weisner started – the first book for the authors.
He was then adopted by an elderly couple who did their best to give him a good life - even left him a trust fund for his college education. They were not rich but they tried to prepare him for what is in store for him on their demise. The man especially, Charlie, tried to instill in Demetri honesty and perseverance for a better life than those around him.
When he reached 15, Demetri is alone again. He moves in the boys’ center, suffers bullying and multiple beatings and meets a friend, Ryan. Demetri gravitates to Ryan immediately and feels they have a lot of things in common. Ryan also happens to be an important member of a gang. Demetri is soon entangled in Ryan’s world, to the point of nearly not graduating from high school.
In junior year college, Demetri decides to drop out and get in touch with Ryan again. Ryan is still in the same neighborhood, but living a much-improved life. He is also dealing with the big boys of the trade and Demetri wants to be a part of it. Ryan warns him that it’s an entirely different world than what they had, but Demetri is adamant and wants to prove himself.
Demetri quickly becomes an integral part of Ryan’s gang and finally proving his worth – is chosen to be one of the few generals of the gang. Demetri feels that it is the biggest accomplishment of his life. But how long will it last ?
I have mixed feelings about this book. It started with a very intriguing plot, but once Demetri was in the boys’ center, the story developed into a compilation of multiple cliches. The title Ghetto Uprising refers to the Jewish Resistance Movement that fought the Nazis in the Warsaw ghetto during World War II. One of Demetri’s high schoolteacher took part in this resistance and told them that he fought to get out of the ghetto while they fight to stay in it. This experience was supposed to be what drove Demetri to ‘fight to get out’ of his own ghetto. This appeared to be a very flimsy link because from that point on, Demetri was shown to be doing anything but fight (to get out).
The characterization was also poor, resulting in me not caring what happens to any of the characters. Not to say that there was no build-up in the story – there was. However, it was quite weak and when it unfolded, it seemed abrupt and forced, almost like an after-thought.
Having said that, I think the writing style is interesting. The story was relayed as if Demetri was giving an account of his life in an interrogation room and the authors kept this tone all throughout the book. I also commend the authors for managing to use clean language despite its settings and theme. On the downside, some readers might say this made the book less believable.
Overall, I give this book 2 out of 4 stars. I might not completely like it, but I am certain that there are some people who will fully appreciate it.
******
Ghetto Uprising
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Rizbi's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: "Patrick's Journey" by Roy T Humphreys
