Autobiography Of A Recovering Skinhead (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
Unbelievable. I have a tendency to read books cover to cover, but I blew through all 346 pages of this (that includes the epilogue) without thinking twice. Frank Meeink does know the truth. The ugly truth. The cold, hard truth. Whatever adjectives you use to describe the word truth, Meeink knows how it is, and he tells it like it is. And the truth hurts. But it's a good hurt, and a necessary one. There is so much we fail to understand about racial constructs in society either because of ignorance or denial. Frankie removes the former, and makes it impossible for you to continue to engage in the latter. His work reminds you that everyone, no matter how you judge them, has a story. And that people can change. And while hate is an extremely strong force in this world, love is always stronger. Autobiography of a recovering skinhead is a gut wrenching novel that takes you on an emotional rollercoaster through the life of former skin-head, Frank Meeink. The novel engages you on the journey of Frank growing up in South Philly while being bounced between dysfunctional homes with his drug addict mom and abusive step-dad to his alcoholic father. You go into the mind of Frank and are able to understand his beliefs and why he joined the Neo-Nazi movement. Frank displays his coming of age story and how he was able to triumph over drugs and hatred that ultimately lead to his redemtpion. By sharing his life experiences he is able to connect with young people facing the same difficulties he once had, and encourage them to stay away from the movement and spend their free time in other activities such as sports. Franks powerful story is intriguing with many unexpected twists and turn that you never thought would be in a person’s human nature. If you are easily offended, or can’t stomach reading a gruesome scene this novel is not for you. However, if you are of mature age and are able to have an objective state of mind I highly recommend this captivating novel.
What do You think about Autobiography Of A Recovering Skinhead (2010)?
Entertaining, but has a lot of "unreliable narrator" issues.
—Trackerjack
Great honest book and an entertaining read.
—tyte12
