Pirate Patty Reviews

How did a boy from small-town New York become one of the world’s most successful writers?

James Patterson is one of the most prolific writers I have had the pleasure of reading. But that wasn’t always the case. When I finished reading this memoir, I couldn’t help but think of all the people we perceive as being an instant success in the writing world. I wonder how many of them haven’t quit their day job yet?

James had a very interesting life before he wrote his first bestseller. And he didn’t quit his day job for a while. He didn’t particularly like reading growing up. He worked in a mental hospital for a while where he met a few famous people. He wasn’t wealthy and famous. He was trying to figure out what his place was in the world. He also had to make a living. So it was off to the world of advertising for him. Writing copy and jingles. Did you know he wrote the “I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us Kid?”.

There were a lot of things I didn’t know about him. He has led a very interesting life. Golfing with presidents, being serenaded by Dolly Parton, meeting famous people, and putting out bestsellers left and right. And yet he tells funny stories of people not believing him when he tells them who he is.

The back of the book tells us the bare facts of the author. This put all of his work in perspective for me. Writing is hard work. And you need a Plan B. But never sacrifice your work for a publisher.

Very interesting and quite funny.

NetGalley/ June 6th, 2022 by Little, Brown and Company