Life and How to Live It: Volume One: Begin the Begin – Book Review
Chaz Holesworth’s memoir, Life and How to Live It: Volume One: Begin the Begin, is an honest and moving account of a childhood filled with adversity, struggle, and finally, resilience. Throughout his early years in the Philadelphia slums, Holesworth guides readers through the turmoil of growing up with a father addicted to heroin and a mother who was baptized into Christianity.
From chapter one, I was drawn into the story: “It was the worst of times; it was the even worst of times.” He starts with telling us a bit about why he wrote this book and what we’ll find inside. As a content warning, it does deal with some heavy topics – depression, anxiety, drugs, religion, family, gangs, trauma, and more.
Moving and relatable for me, his early years were marked by violence, drug use, and gang activity, which made it difficult for the young boy to navigate a world where the odds were stacked against him. But don’t worry – Holesworth’s story is not just about survival; it’s also about hope, about change, and about the power of perseverance. You’ll definitely walk away from it feeling inspired.
I was immediately drawn in by Holesworth’s novel because of its uncompromising honesty. Although he is blunt about the painful truth of his upbringing, his candor is balanced by understanding and compassion. Along with the external hardships, the novel also portrays his emotional struggles.
You can sense the emotional struggle between hopelessness and the desire to overcome his surroundings with each new chapter. The author’s love of music, which he uses as a lifeline and a way to manage his emotions, is a recurring theme throughout his story. His love for Tori Amos and R.E.M. served as a lifeline for him at some of the darkest times in his life. This was very relatable to me, as someone who has also found healing and escape in music.
Despite the suffering he went through, Holesworth’s ability to inject lightheartedness and comedy into his story makes the memoir very engaging. Moments of companionship and camaraderie abound in the story, particularly the ties he forged with acquaintances who ended up becoming his adopted family. Found family has been so important to me in my own life, so I also found this relatable.
These connections gave him the security and affection he frequently lacked at home in an area where trust is hard to come by and danger lurks everywhere. Notwithstanding the challenges, he was able to forge his own path thanks to these relationships and his love of music.
Because of Holesworth’s conversational and personable writing style, you feel like you are sitting across from him and hearing firsthand accounts from him. He expertly crafts a tale that flows from one chapter to the next by fusing vivid storytelling with evocative prose. His narrative of both heart-wrenching and uplifting events enthralls readers and gives them a sense of participation in his journey.
While this book is a narrative about a person, it also has a universal message about overcoming adversity and finding hope. Holesworth’s autobiography is proof of the human spirit’s tenacity. It is admirable how he rises above the turmoil of his childhood, equipped only with a strong sense of purpose and a passion for music. Anyone who has ever felt stuck in their circumstances but yearned for more would be able to relate to his narrative and find some hope for themselves.
To sum it up, Life and How to Live It: Volume One: Begin the Begin is a strong debut that makes an impact. The narratives of Holesworth are sincere, emotional, and incredibly relatable. This is an anthem for everyone who has ever had underdog feelings – it’s not just a memoir. Holesworth sets the stage for what looks to be an uplifting and thought-provoking series with this first volume. I’m interested to see where his tale goes from here and how bravely and gracefully he continues to face obstacles in life.
5 stars from me!